MY E30 320I CONVERTIBLE 1987 KEEPS CUTTING OUT!!!HELP.

[j4ttluv]

Hi there need sum help, i just bought a bmw 320i convertible 1987 reg, it was fine the first day i was driving but the 2nd day it started to cut out when ide stop at traffic lights and then i would have to re-start the car and now everytime im at traffic lights i have to keep my foot on the accelerator and rev it high in order for it not to cut off, it even happens which i think is quite dangerous when im driving, i was driving in 3rd gear and all of a sudden the car would jerk back and forth violently as if some1 keeps pressing the breaks really hard and then ide have to step to the floor on the accelerator for it to go back to normal....

now is there any one who can tell me:
1)what the problem is?
2)how can i sort it out without having to spend too much money?
3)is this common in these cars?

[siddiqi1]

Dont worry..common problem amongst the E30!

Firstly, there is a plan of attack that one should adopt, just a suggestion:

IDLE PROBLEM: This would most likely be the ICV (IDLE CONTROL VALVE), its L-SHAPED in your instance Click here for example and auction Its also very likely that your RUBBER INTAKE BOOT, this goes from the AFM to the throttle body could be cracked/split and hence casuing these issues whilst the car is in motion, also common, and a cheap part form the delears, i think £17.

If its jerking whilst driving, then that is i think you AFM (AIR FLOW METER), again, cheap used part, and readily available from zone members, sure to sort your problem there!!!

All in, i think at most £50 should do it, complete approx estimate there, but the parts you need are:

ICV
AFM
RUBBER AFM TO TB BOOT

You know, it could also be that the car hasnt been serviced in a while, a fuel filter could be required too, along with an air filter too!!!!!!

My advice would be............

1) Check your air filter..replace if neccesary...cheap part
2) Check for cracks in the RUBBER HOSE....(easy to take off....just clips holding it in place)
3) Whilst the rubber hose is off..using brake cleaner..clean your throttle body butterfly so that it shines silver again
4) Check what ICV you have, TWO PIN or THREE PIN (most liekly THREE) and replace
5) Now check whether the situation has resolved, i.e. the idling should have been corrected with the new ICV, but is it still jerking??
6) If it is still jerking, then its time to get a neew(used working) AFM
7) Now check whether the hoping and skiping has stopped
8 ) Might be worthwhile getting your AIR/FUEL ratio set again...DO NOT do it yourself, go to mechanics whom have a proper CO machine....cheap job!
9) This should have resolved the situation.if it has.....buym e a drink
10) If it HASNT then.........post again and more knowledgble zone mebers will resolve!!
11) Could lastly be your TPS (Throttle posotion sensor), though we shall ignore that for now...kepp that in mind though....see what happens wit hthe above and then come back to the TPS

hope this helps


Saboor

[murran]

check the tps before looking into replacing the icv.

[HartgeH27]

Dont worry..common problem amongst the E30!

Firstly, there is a plan of attack that one should adopt, just a suggestion:

IDLE PROBLEM: This would most likely be the ICV (IDLE CONTROL VALVE), its L-SHAPED in your instance Click here for example and auction Its also very likely that your RUBBER INTAKE BOOT, this goes from the AFM to the throttle body could be cracked/split and hence casuing these issues whilst the car is in motion, also common, and a cheap part form the delears, i think £17.

If its jerking whilst driving, then that is i think you AFM (AIR FLOW METER), again, cheap used part, and readily available from zone members, sure to sort your problem there!!!

All in, i think at most £50 should do it, complete approx estimate there, but the parts you need are:

ICV
AFM
RUBBER AFM TO TB BOOT

You know, it could also be that the car hasnt been serviced in a while, a fuel filter could be required too, along with an air filter too!!!!!!

My advice would be............

1) Check your air filter..replace if neccesary...cheap part
2) Check for cracks in the RUBBER HOSE....(easy to take off....just clips holding it in place)
3) Whilst the rubber hose is off..using brake cleaner..clean your throttle body butterfly so that it shines silver again
4) Check what ICV you have, TWO PIN or THREE PIN (most liekly THREE) and replace
5) Now check whether the situation has resolved, i.e. the idling should have been corrected with the new ICV, but is it still jerking??
6) If it is still jerking, then its time to get a neew(used working) AFM
7) Now check whether the hoping and skiping has stopped
8 ) Might be worthwhile getting your AIR/FUEL ratio set again...DO NOT do it yourself, go to mechanics whom have a proper CO machine....cheap job!
9) This should have resolved the situation.if it has.....buym e a drink
10) If it HASNT then.........post again and more knowledgble zone mebers will resolve!!
11) Could lastly be your TPS (Throttle posotion sensor), though we shall ignore that for now...kepp that in mind though....see what happens wit hthe above and then come back to the TPS

hope this helps


Saboor

Constructive and helpful post from a Zoner to a Newbie, nice one Saboor.

[siddiqi1]

Constructive and helpful post from a Zoner to a Newbie, nice one Saboor.

Iain,

thanks maty..........that was a most unexpected comment, thanks

Im well chuffed

[j4ttluv]

ok kool, thanx 4 the help!!! im goan try it those things and fingers crossed should work.

[daimlerman]

May be a good idea to fit a set of new spark plugs...