What does this do?

[SamE30e]

There is a fuel line going to it. Is it another injector for cold start.

If so, if the ICM was removed from my car is it possible that is could be on the whole time?

[SamE30e]

Anybody?

Basically is this an injector?

[DaveSmed]

Yes, and no. Should only work when its cold out during cranking.

[SamE30e]

Really, because my car is running pig rich ever since I took the ICM out. I'm running 2 high pressure fuel pumps. One e36 in tank and the stock external, could a higher fuel pressure be fucking with the reg and screwing with my mixture?

[DaveSmed]

Higher fuel pressure could be causing it, you havent changed your FPR or anything have you? i vs e FPRs are different, though they fit in place of each other.

[SamE30e]

No I haven't, its the stock e regulator. I ordered a adjustable one with a gauge. For now I unplugged that injector to see if it makes a difference. It's pointless anyways with the ICM unplugged.

[DaveSmed]

Well, kinda. It's not fed off the ICM at all.

Not sure what kind of automotive background you have, but if you happen to be an old car head, one of those little sensors by the thermostat works just like an electric choke on a carb.
One terminals a heater, hot during crank instead of when the engine is running, and the other is instead of a bimetallic spring, a thermostatic switch which provides a ground if the engine is cold, and hasn't had an attempt to start it in awhile (aka long enough for the heater to cool down, to prevent flooding) The positive side of that injector only gets power when cranking.

So it has to be cold enough to close that switch, the engine
musnt have cranked long enough that the heater got hot enough to open the switch back up, and it has to be cranking to get power to the injector at all.

The ICM has nothing to do with it, old school setup, and if it works (its usually fairly reliable) it does a pretty good job.

Oh, and cold refers to cold engine. that switch is set to 95 degrees. Something tells me that if its working right and you disconnect it, you are gonna miss it....

[SamE30e]

Well, I guess if my car doesn't start at all now as opposed to being a bitch to start with no ICM i'll know what it is. And if I get better gas milage then i'll be happy.

If that doesn't work then in goes the Adjustable FPR.

[SamE30e]

I unplugged it, my car starts faster when cold, like its not flooded. And I get better gas mileage. So I think its controlled by the ICM and is stuck open when the ICM isn't present.

[DaveSmed]

Well, the print doesn't lie, ;) It's not connected to the ICM. However, if unplugging it (electrically, or by the fuel line) netted better results, your switch was probably wired backwards causing it to either be always on when cranking, or even better, always on all the time.


Cold weather is gone for awhile, but look for a switch with a Black/Red and Black/Yellow wire.

It's kinda tough to describe how it works, but if you look under the starting circuit of the ETM, you'll see it.