E30 320i Starting & Idle Issue

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Altrezia
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Post Wed Mar 05, 2014 3:37 pm

Hey guys,

My 320 is getting harder and harder to start lately - and it hunts a lot when idling. It's a stock engine (pretty much).

Here's a video - last time I started it was yesterday at 5pm. The longer I leave it the harder it is to start.

I have a fuel filter and new spark plugs to go in, but I'm guessing this may be a FPR or pump issue?

Any ideas would be awesome.

Thanks again!

[youtube][/youtube]
Grrrmachine
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Post Wed Mar 05, 2014 3:45 pm

Air leak, worn injectors, or fouled up spark plugs. I've never heard of a failed FPR, and a failed fuel pump will stop the car starting completely, not just "harder" to start.

Check here:

http://www.e30zone.net/e30zonewiki/inde ... oubleshoot
Altrezia
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Post Wed Mar 05, 2014 4:08 pm

Cool. Thanks :)
Speedtouch
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Post Wed Mar 05, 2014 4:20 pm

Try disconnecting the battery or ECU for an hour or so to reset it, then let it idle for at least 10 minutes, switch off, then take it for a drive throughout the rev range.
///M aurice
ECU Upgrade EPROM Chips, £40 posted within the UK. Note these are not Zone chips.
viewtopic.php?f=6&t=279421
Altrezia
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Post Wed Mar 05, 2014 6:17 pm

Actually, the batter does get cut all the time - it's a race car and the cut-off switch is used every time it's parked up.
Speedtouch
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Post Wed Mar 05, 2014 6:26 pm

Well, that may explain your hunting idle - you need to give it 10 minutes of idle time to enable base idle settings to be learnt.
///M aurice
ECU Upgrade EPROM Chips, £40 posted within the UK. Note these are not Zone chips.
viewtopic.php?f=6&t=279421
Altrezia
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Location: Hampshire, UK

Post Wed Mar 05, 2014 6:38 pm

Thanks - that makes sense.
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Brianmoooore
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Post Wed Mar 05, 2014 6:57 pm

Connect a 47 ohm, 3W resistor across your battery isolator switch.