no idle? SOLVED

[jordano]

just got my car back on the road after about 3-4 weeks and when i pull up to a junction etc it cuts out,sometimes it races a little bit between 0 and 10000 revs buteventually always cuts out,my dad said try cleaning out the idle control valve with some carb cleaner,gonna try this today but ne1 else got ne ideas

[jordano]

no one got any ideas for this then

[tylerma]

could give the throttle body a clean too
mine used to search for idle sometimes
the throttle body was cleaned and its fine now

[fixedwheelnut]

Have you had the battery off? if so the ecu needs to relearn the idle control, disconect the battery again then start it and let it idle for 30minutes.
If you still have a problem check the throttle switch signal it needs this to activate the idle valve.

[Dan318-is]

vacuum pipes and AFM boot mite have air leaks too these are the usual causes of idle faults

[PeteE30Tourer]

Have you had the battery off? if so the ecu needs to relearn the idle control, disconect the battery again then start it and let it idle for 30minutes.
If you still have a problem check the throttle switch signal it needs this to activate the idle valve.

Thanks for this - i've got a very similar problem developed this morning - after changing my battery over the weekend. Could well be the cause of my problem, so i'll give it a go.

[ajay31]

have a look at the rotor arm, depending on model, as unless bosch ones are fitted they tend to melt.
causing erratic idling and cut outs.
when mine came off there was no plastic insulation left.
how scary that it still ran.

oh the engineering..... fantastic

[jordano]

i have had the battery off yeah but there is no way it will idle for 30 mins, how do i check the throttle signal switch?

[ajay31]

when you say you have had battery off.
you need both poles disconnected for at least 3 mins so that ecu loses total and residual power.
if you only removed the negative pole the ecu will retain residual power and wont reset upon reconnecting.
what engine is fitted?
regards ajay

[bigkev]

cant help with the idling but i note you said it revs between 0 and 10 000 revs
WOW what engine have you got in there

[jordano]

sorry i put an extra 0
yeah the battery was totally disconnected for longer than 3 mins, its a 325i cab

[Hyperion]

it would be nice if someone can put up some pics or a walk through for us who have no idea (LIKE ME)

[jordano]

im with you mate i havent got a foggiest
lol

[jordano]

right i took the idle control valve off and give it a really good spray, probably a third of the can, put it back on and my problem is solved it is now idling fine
thanks for all the help guys

[Hyperion]

right i took the idle control valve off and give it a really good spray, probably a third of the can, put it back on and my problem is solved it is now idling fine
thanks for all the help guys

is a pretty hard job, and can one break something? Just asking because this is my only ride and cant afford her to be out of action.

[jordano]

you just unplug the icv,undo a 10mm bolt holding it on and it basically just pulls off, clean it and then its the reverse to put it back on