A myriad of problems, who's got ideas?

[Kruzen]

1) This one isn't too much of a mystery, but my brake fluid light flickers on and off, I've refilled it a couple of times (no air bubbles or anything present but I will bleed them once I get some superblue). The levels ARE going down, but they seem to stop eventually around the point where the sensor sits because it goes from full to flickering in about a weeks time, and then flickers on and off from then on, it never goes down further after that point.

I'm doubting its the brake lines, because i'm sure i'd have shit spewing all over the place if that were the case, so that being said, what other things should I check? Is there an easy way to check?

2) Trunk rattle. I'm running all new suspension for the past year or two and i'm still getting a little bit of trunk rattle, sounds like when I hit some bumps (like a speed bump or something, at low speed of course) something is jumping in my tail end. I didn't replace the sway bushings or bars when I did my suspension, could it be that hopping up and down in the back? Or could it be my rear shock mounts? I'm doubting its the shock mounts because the car sticks to the pavement like glue in corners and everything, there's no noticeable play there, but its just when I go over something that really effects teh back end that I notice

3) And now the biggest mystery. Engine performance. I have the smoothest idle of any e30 I know. It sits pretty steady at 7-800 RPMS and just sits there idly like a little kitten. However, at low gear/rpm's I get some hesitation from the engine sometimes until it gets up past 2k or so and then it starts opening up, but still stutters from now and then. Also, when unloading on it (like hopping on the highway on a warm day) i'll get some stutter like the engine is cutting back on me while i'm accelerating, RPM's dont go up or anything like its a clutch problem, it literally just cuts some power from the engine while i'm accelerating and I get kind of a 'leapfrog' effect with the sound of the acceleration. VrrrrRRR....rrr...VrrrrRRRRRRR...rr...VRRRRRR! If you know what I mean :p



Fix me :(

[Mike325]

#1. Check the clutch master cylinder. Could have a small leak in it that you won't see because the cover is in the way. Pull the cover off from under the steering wheel and see if you see a wet spot.

#2. I think that it could be the RSM, as well as maybe the trailing arm bushings or subframe bushings. Does the noise happen when you go faster over small bumps in the road?

#3. Afm possibly? Try cleaning it out.

[Kruzen]

#1. Check the clutch master cylinder. Could have a small leak in it that you won't see because the cover is in the way. Pull the cover off from under the steering wheel and see if you see a wet spot.

#2. I think that it could be the RSM, as well as maybe the trailing arm bushings or subframe bushings. Does the noise happen when you go faster over small bumps in the road?

#3. Afm possibly? Try cleaning it out.

1. there's a shitload of wiring under the steering wheel, pardon my ignorance but what am I looking for?

2. It doesn't happen when I go over small bumps in the road, it really is only noticeable when the suspension has a chance to drop a little bit, like goingover speed bumps a little faster then a slow crawl. When drivings it all sounds extremely solid. Even when the tail end is getting sideways it doesn't bounce or anything. Its a very odd situation.

3. Will try that

[DarkWing6]

To solve the brake thing could you throw the car up on jackstands, have someone lay underneath the car, pump the brakes, and watch for leaks??

[NC325iC]

take a look at your clutch lines too (for #1)

[strad]

To solve the brake thing could you throw the car up on jackstands, have someone lay underneath the car, pump the brakes, and watch for leaks??

And have them wear safety goggles. Brake fluid in the eyes is not a good thing. . .

[Eurospec]

Have you looked at your exhaust hardware? This is what has been causing my rear rattle.

[brandondan1]

Is your cat/exhaust good? If it's faulty I believe the excess backpressure will cause hesistation when applying power off idle, and in the low rpm range.

[Mike325]

The exhaust statement got me thinking. Maybe you are hitting your exhaust accross the speed bumps. Take a look at the exhaust system, it may have some scrapes on it.

[Jparkr]

for one if your bleeding the clutch slave unbolt it from the trans (2 13mm nuts) then hold hold or have someone hold it upside down so the air doesnt get trapped in the line. (happends everytime i see someone bleed that with it bolted up)

for two... Shock mounts are blown, drive down a pothole road like south tac. way and listen for the rattle

and three... your catilitic converter is probibly cloged/ becoming cloged

[325iCabrio]

For number three I'd definately look at the AFM, the throttle position sensor, and run the diagnostics tests on the fuel pump and fuel pump relay that are detailed in the Bentley. I have the exact problem you're describing (rock-steady idle, hesitation below 2k, some funny stuff going on every once in awhile), and I'm positive mine's the fuel pump. You could also check out your fuel pressure regulator too--it's a cheap[er] part and easy to replace.

Do you notice any high-pitched whining coming from undernieth the rear of the car? That's a tell-tale sign your fuel pump's having problems.

[Kruzen]

The exhaust statement got me thinking. Maybe you are hitting your exhaust accross the speed bumps. Take a look at the exhaust system, it may have some scrapes on it.

Its definitely not my exhaust hitting, my car is low (ie3/bilstein sports) but not THAT low. something is definitely falling differently then the rest of the car though, I can notice a difference from the left side of the car and the right side of the car which disuades me from thinking its the exhaust system at all as far as noise goes.

[Kruzen]

for one if your bleeding the clutch slave unbolt it from the trans (2 13mm nuts) then hold hold or have someone hold it upside down so the air doesnt get trapped in the line. (happends everytime i see someone bleed that with it bolted up)

for two... Shock mounts are blown, drive down a pothole road like south tac. way and listen for the rattle

and three... your catilitic converter is probibly cloged/ becoming cloged

I'll check this stuff out, could the shock mounts really blow that quick? I just replaced that shit like a year ago. damn.

[Kruzen]

For number three I'd definately look at the AFM, the throttle position sensor, and run the diagnostics tests on the fuel pump and fuel pump relay that are detailed in the Bentley. I have the exact problem you're describing (rock-steady idle, hesitation below 2k, some funny stuff going on every once in awhile), and I'm positive mine's the fuel pump. You could also check out your fuel pressure regulator too--it's a cheap[er] part and easy to replace.

Do you notice any high-pitched whining coming from undernieth the rear of the car? That's a tell-tale sign your fuel pump's having problems.

Nope, no whines! I'll check the bentley for that info though, thanks!