$500 in parts- now have stumbling issue

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  • jlevie
    R3V OG
    • Nov 2006
    • 13530

    #16
    With the work done on the car it is possible that you disturbed some hose connected to the intake and now have an intake leak. That could explain why the engine runs a bit better with the temp sensor disconnected as that would cause the DME to think that the engine is cold and result in a richer mixture.
    The car makes it possible, but the driver makes it happen.
    Jim Levie, Huntsville, AL

    Comment

    • BrewCity11
      R3VLimited
      • Mar 2008
      • 2335

      #17
      Not sure if this is an issue w/M20's, but check to make sure you've bled all the air out of the cooling system. It could be your temp sensor isn't getting an accurate reading.
      turk@gutenparts.com

      Originally posted by Janderson
      Properly placed zip ties will hold bridges together.

      Comment

      • bimmerboy12
        E30 Enthusiast
        • Jun 2004
        • 1057

        #18
        Originally posted by BrewCity11
        Not sure if this is an issue w/M20's, but check to make sure you've bled all the air out of the cooling system. It could be your temp sensor isn't getting an accurate reading.
        Good point. I will re-bleed and let you all know. Also will check for any leaks with the WD-40 trick.

        1988 325iC Project - FINISHED!
        Build Thread: http://www.r3vlimited.com/board/show...ht=325iC+paint

        Comment

        • evil_twin
          R3VLimited
          • Nov 2007
          • 2965

          #19
          Hey, do me a favor, and run a test lead from the positive on the battery to the positive on the coil. The battery is right next to the coil correct?

          Start the car, connect the test lead, and see if it runs better.

          Note: When you turn the key off with the test lead still connected the car will not turn off until you unhook it. LMK what happens. Thanks.
          I got a fender roller now! LMK if you need me to roll your fenders or want to rent the tool from me locally.

          Paypal: vdang5@gmail.com

          Delta Auto Care
          2875-C Towerview Road
          Herndon, VA
          703.435.1375

          My Feedback Thread: Evil_Twin

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          • bimmerboy12
            E30 Enthusiast
            • Jun 2004
            • 1057

            #20
            Originally posted by evil_twin
            Hey, do me a favor, and run a test lead from the positive on the battery to the positive on the coil. The battery is right next to the coil correct?

            Start the car, connect the test lead, and see if it runs better.

            Note: When you turn the key off with the test lead still connected the car will not turn off until you unhook it. LMK what happens. Thanks.
            what will this diagnose? aren't both the leads on the coil positive?

            1988 325iC Project - FINISHED!
            Build Thread: http://www.r3vlimited.com/board/show...ht=325iC+paint

            Comment

            • evil_twin
              R3VLimited
              • Nov 2007
              • 2965

              #21
              It will diagnose if 1 of your connectors are bad. No, both leads on the coil are NOT positive.

              I've had a problem like this before in a vert. There is 1 connector that goes from the coil down where the kick panel is, and it got lose causing the car to have a stumbling problem.
              I got a fender roller now! LMK if you need me to roll your fenders or want to rent the tool from me locally.

              Paypal: vdang5@gmail.com

              Delta Auto Care
              2875-C Towerview Road
              Herndon, VA
              703.435.1375

              My Feedback Thread: Evil_Twin

              Comment

              • 92 mtechnic cabrio
                Honesty is not the best policy!
                • Dec 2003
                • 4907

                #22
                Let's start with the simple, common causes:

                did you disconnect the battery to perform all the servicing?

                how long have you driven the car for since the servicing?

                did you unplug the AFM for any reason? If so, did you plug it back in?
                R.I.P 07/01/09 - 04/23/10 :(

                Comment

                • bimmerboy12
                  E30 Enthusiast
                  • Jun 2004
                  • 1057

                  #23
                  Originally posted by evil_twin
                  It will diagnose if 1 of your connectors are bad. No, both leads on the coil are NOT positive.

                  I've had a problem like this before in a vert. There is 1 connector that goes from the coil down where the kick panel is, and it got lose causing the car to have a stumbling problem.
                  Well tried the battery to positive lead on coil method and no results. It still stumbled. I also re-bled the coolant system. No air. I soaked the entire manifold area with starting fluid, and no change in idle. This is really starting to piss me off. I went to a parade of homes tonight, and I was parking and the cop directing parking said, "sounds like your running outta gas there buddy". I gave an embarressed look of disgust and sheepishly drove to my spot, vowing to have the problem fixed by the weeks end.

                  1988 325iC Project - FINISHED!
                  Build Thread: http://www.r3vlimited.com/board/show...ht=325iC+paint

                  Comment

                  • bimmerboy12
                    E30 Enthusiast
                    • Jun 2004
                    • 1057

                    #24
                    Originally posted by 92 mtechnic cabrio
                    Let's start with the simple, common causes:

                    did you disconnect the battery to perform all the servicing?

                    how long have you driven the car for since the servicing?

                    did you unplug the AFM for any reason? If so, did you plug it back in?

                    No, i didn't disconnect the battery for servicing since I wasn't dealing with any live leads.

                    I have driven the car back and forth to work 14 miles round trip every day since performing the service about three weeks ago. It runs perfectly fine and normal with the slightest increase in gas.

                    AFM is plugged in and I have unplugged/plugged nearly every connection under the hood looking for a loose connection... no luck.

                    1988 325iC Project - FINISHED!
                    Build Thread: http://www.r3vlimited.com/board/show...ht=325iC+paint

                    Comment

                    • bimmerboy12
                      E30 Enthusiast
                      • Jun 2004
                      • 1057

                      #25
                      Bump... I need some ideas for when I work on it this weekend!

                      1988 325iC Project - FINISHED!
                      Build Thread: http://www.r3vlimited.com/board/show...ht=325iC+paint

                      Comment

                      • bimmerboy12
                        E30 Enthusiast
                        • Jun 2004
                        • 1057

                        #26
                        A side note, it seems like the wavering idle is rhythmic sometimes, i was idling in drive, and it was lurching in rhythm.
                        It does not do it when the engine is ice cold, but it only has to warm up for a minute before it will start acting up.

                        1988 325iC Project - FINISHED!
                        Build Thread: http://www.r3vlimited.com/board/show...ht=325iC+paint

                        Comment

                        • bimmerboy12
                          E30 Enthusiast
                          • Jun 2004
                          • 1057

                          #27
                          No ideas guys? I dont want to take it in and get raped. Is there a voltage I can check at the injectors?

                          1988 325iC Project - FINISHED!
                          Build Thread: http://www.r3vlimited.com/board/show...ht=325iC+paint

                          Comment

                          • Intro
                            Advanced Member
                            • Apr 2008
                            • 196

                            #28
                            There are monitors from the ecu that checks everything and tells the car how much fuel to give it (you probaly already know this) and because the coolant sensor places such a big role in this and you changed yours, this would be where i would look. If i were you id try to disconect the battery, and then reconect and go through the driving process of resetting all the monitors (not sure if there is one on e30s). This will let the computer learn the the new coolant sensor.

                            Just throwing my idea out there to try and help.
                            also make sure the plugs are gapped right.

                            let us know!!

                            Comment

                            • Intro
                              Advanced Member
                              • Apr 2008
                              • 196

                              #29
                              u get it?

                              Comment

                              • chris328i
                                Banned
                                • Aug 2008
                                • 150

                                #30
                                my car does a similar thing. about to change temp sensor.

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