320i hunting at idle

[DannyLee]

Hi everyone,

I've registered here on the initiative of finding the answer to this one fault.

My dad's 320i Cabriolet is hunting on idle, ping-ponging between 1k and 2k. He's had it 'sorted' once already, apparently, but it's started again.

INSTEAD of him sending it off to a local family run garage, I want to ask you lot to give us a lead as to what the causes could possibly be. I myself am a member of Club polo, and they're very helpful on a whole, and both them and e30 zone being owner's clubs, you're the best bet. On Polo's, this problem usually means a temp sensor has topped it.

I can't give much more info than that, I'm afraid. He wants to sell it, and a problem such as this.

Any help is greatly appreciated.

Thanks,
Dan.

[DaveD]

1..check your idle control valve ...it might need cleaning out(carb cleaner)
www.e36coupe.com/...if you look on technical on hereit shows you how


2. all the inlet hoses need checking for leaks,,spray with carb cleaner while running and see if that has any effect...this will show if you have any leaks and if any hoses need replacing...they are not expensive

3 blue temp sender

it is a Very common fault and if you do a search you will find lots of threads

oh yes ...and welcome to the zone

[Geeman]

What Dave said.

Intake bellows are well known for having small cracks and leaking air, and they aren't expensive from the dealers to replace.

ICV's (idle control valve) are also known for playing up. Clean it like Dave said (carb, brake or electrical cleaner) or replace with a used one from someone on the Zone.

Temp sensors also become faulty over time. Easy to replace and cost very little. They are sat in the Thermostat housing.

HTH - but just re-itterating what Dave said really.

[DannyLee]

Thanks for the prompt replies, guys, I will pass this info onto my dad.

I'll let you all know how it goes.

[tari]

u mite wana have a look at ur ignition leads.

i had the same problem with my 320 auto and the carb cleaner trick didnt work, i then changed the leads n this sorted it right out!!!

[Sooty]

Had a similar problem with a 325 recently.

Look under the inlet manifold, and you will see a round plug & socket fixed in a bracket on the side of the block.
This is the leccy feeds, etc to your injectors.
The wires going into it (from the car loom side) were totally goosed on mine and I ended up splicing in a good set-up from another car.
In your case, make sure the contacts are clean & free of oil and try to check for any broken wires or dead shorts.

This is a known problem on the six pots.

HTH m8

Iain S

[E30BeemerLad]

with the car warmed up & running spray wd40 or carb cleaner around where the inlet manifold bolts to the head. If normal idle is temporarily restored then odds are your inlet manifold gasket has gone, check out this thread
http://www.e30zone.net/modules.php?name ... ing+banned