Buck then CEL

[EWAustin]

OK, I was driving to school this morning and when accelerating away from a stop light my 325is bucked hard once (tires chirped) and the CEL blinked at the exact same time. The light was immediately off, so I wondered if maybe I put the wrong grade gas in. (my car isn't chipped, so I don't need to put 91 octane in yet do I?

Then on the way home from school the CEL came on again. No bucking this time, it just stayed on. I got home and found the isntructions for the stomp test. Went out and tried it a couple times with no luck. So for the heck of it I started the car and it went out.

Has anybody had this happen to them?

And just to be sure I'm doing this right, you turn the key to on, then floor and release the gas pedal five times. Right?

(oh, and BTW, this car is SO much better than my MR2:up:)

[lordofthewaters]

Yes you turn the key to accessory (2nd position) then press the pedal 5 times semi fast.

[delatlanta1281]

Try it for more than a couple times. It is a rhythm thing. Does the light stay on the whole time now? Or does it fade in and out?

[EWAustin]

light is off now, it did just stay on though.

[porsche gt1]

auto or 5 spd?

[StereoInstaller1]

my 325is

You need to be sure of the year. Motronic 1.1 does NOT work with the "stomp" method...you just turn the key on to test for codes.

(oh, and BTW, this car is SO much better than my MR2:up:)

Oh yeah, we know...

Luke

[EWAustin]

Car is an '87 325is with a production date of Apr 23rd '87, DME ending in 173, which should be stomp-codeable right?

Definately a 5sp. I refuse to buy slushboxes.

The light came on on the way home again tonight. I cant' figure it out, it doesn't seem to run any differently, so until I can pull a code I guess I'm just not gonna worry about it.

Another quick question as long as I have your attention. Where is the temp-gage needle supposed to sit? Mine usually sits just on the warm end of the blue mark. Occaisionally it will wander up to the first white line, but then it'll go back down. Is this normal?

[StereoInstaller1]

We have the same car, same DME. My temps run about straight up, a bit over sometimes, but then I turn on my aux fan.

I do not have a clutch cooling fan at all, just a switch for high speed aux fan.

I do believe your 173 is not stock. My car is a bit later, like july '87, came with a 153.

Luke

[EWAustin]

the DME has "'88 325i" written on it in yellow junk-yard paint. so I'm pretty sure it's not stock (should have mentioned that). Could that be the cause of my CEL?

So, since it has an '88 DME, do I need to do the non-stomp test? I tried that a couple times and got no blinking at all.

[delatlanta1281]

Do the stomp test, it will work if you give it time. Have you thought about it being your o2 sensor?

[EWAustin]

I Have thought about it being the o2 sensor, and have thought about replacing it on principle alone. (along with the fuel filter) But I really prefer figuring out what the problem is rather than just throwing parts at it.

Also, my car seems to have a nice hack-job on the wiring harness. There is a small switch spliced in near my left foot (under-dash panel removed). Anybody know why someone would want to put a switch there?

Also, what is the silver DME-looking box above my left knee?

[StereoInstaller1]

Also, my car seems to have a nice hack-job on the wiring harness. There is a small switch spliced in near my left foot (under-dash panel removed). Anybody know why someone would want to put a switch there?

Also, what is the silver DME-looking box above my left knee?

Switch under left foot? Methamphetamines are a powerful thing, beware.

Eject seat?

As far as the other box, above your left leg, that is the ABS brain.

Luke

[delatlanta1281]

ooooooo ejector seat! Someone do a write up. It may be a kill switch.

[EWAustin]

Fine, you leave me no choice but to post pics of the rats nest tomorrow...

You've been warned :-P