IDLE - Please help. Can i do this....

[bmwe30mtech]

Hi,

My car will not idle, the idle is too slow so it just stalls at traffic lights, also when approaching junctions and i let the clutch out, it stalls, so i have to use the handbrake to stop a bit, and keep my right foot on the pedel to keep the car running. I have only passed my test yesterday, so this is not a good thing for me, its feels very dangerous. The engine is an m40, and i took it to bmw to raise the idle speed, but they said it 'reversed itself' after they did this. They say it wont 'stick' in where they set it. I have learnt to drive with this problem, but think it will soon cause me to crash, as i stalled today in the middle of the road on a corner. (a police car watched on!). Also yes it is the engine making it stool , not my driving! I am fed up and BMW cant fix it....

So can i just shorten the cable under the bonnet for the engine revs, so the idle is hihger? Why would BMW not do this?

Thanks for reading this, i am at a lost end. Today (first time out alone) it stalled about 20-30 times, and i honestly think it will soon cause me to crash).

Thanks very much,

Paul

[Simon]

A car that shits itself! That's a new one!

Serious note though...it sounds like you have an idle leak somewhere, the engine management controls the idle, and any airleaks or a clogged up ICV will cause this, check for leaks, and give your ICV a clean out.

[bmwe30mtech]

Simon, sh*ts itself? I dont understand the joke!?

I have cleaned the idle valve, fitted a different one etc, same problem. Also BMW found an air leak, and fixed it. They say they dont know what to do next. Why cant i just adjust the cable?

Thanks

Paul

[Simon]

You can adjust the cable, but only tighten it so that when it is at rest, the TPS sensor is not activated, i.e. you should be able to open the throttle from rest, and hear the first click.

As for the shits itself...stool?! Ah nevermind! I think you meant stalls!

[E30Mark]

Simon, sh*ts itself? I dont understand the joke!?

Simon was correcting you on your spelling...

I think you mean the cars stalls at junctions, not stools...

[bmwe30mtech]

lol, cough , edited! Thanks. IM not sure what you mean simon, TPS sensor, 'click'? I apologise as i dont know much about engines yet, but im learning.

Thanks.

[Simon]

On the throttle body there's a sensor that detects when the throttle goes from idle to accelerate, it tells the ECU when to properly fuel the car, if you go out to the car, manually open the throttle, you should hear a click just off the idle position, you can tighten the throttle cable, but not past this click.

[bmwe30mtech]

Oh, ok, will try this then. How do i tighten the cable (sorry). I have looked at it, and wondering whihc end to 'move'. I will have another look in a minute.

Thanks for persevering!

Paul

[Simon]

There should be an adjustment thread on the cable sheath, you can turn this to either loosen or tighten the cable.

[E30Mark]

TPS = throttle position switch

Located on the side of the inlet throttle body, if your lucky you can hear it click just as you start to open the throttle.

Have you taken off the black inlet boot to the throttle body and checked for splits underneath? also have you checked the idle CO level etc.

This could be so many things! might be worth you dropping it off at Ant's if your near Brands Hatch....

Best of luck with the driving! keep your eyes peeled, and don't get distracted by the girls in short skirts

[E30Mark]

Damn i need to learn to type faster...

[Simon]

Damn i need to learn to type faster...

And I'm usless at typing!!

[E30Mark]

Damn i need to learn to type faster...

And I'm usless at typing!!

and spelling !!!

[bmwe30mtech]

Thanks guys . Yes i am near brands hatch, very. I will be at ace on the 27th also. I will go out now and do as you have said. Hopefully i can get it sorted. As for girls in short skits, i wont be distraced no, plenty of that already


Thanks

[bmwe30mtech]

Ok, been looking at it. I cant hear this click?!

Any ideas. Easy to adjust cable, but i dont want to do it if it might be past this click?

Paul

[Brianmoooore]

DON'T ADJUST THE CABLE (or play with the adjustment on the stop for the throttle butterfly).
If airleaks have been elininated and the ICV is clean, my guess is the TPS isn't working and the ECU is not being switched to idle settings.
Take it to Ant - he'll sort it in minutes.

[Simon]

DON'T ADJUST THE CABLE (or play with the adjustment on the stop for the throttle butterfly).
If airleaks have been elininated and the ICV is clean, my guess is the TPS isn't working and the ECU is not being switched to idle settings.
Take it to Ant - he'll sort it in minutes.

I'd just like to add, I don't want to be seen as giving duff info, that there is no problem with adjusting the throttle cable, every E30 I've had has needed it, and the amount of slack in the cable was bad.

This is why I mentioned in previous posts, that if the throttle doesn't click off rest, then the cable does not require adjustment.

[Brianmoooore]

[

I'd just like to add, I don't want to be seen as giving duff info, that there is no problem with adjusting the throttle cable, every E30 I've had has needed it, and the amount of slack in the cable was bad.

.

Not suggesting that you are, Simon. but reading through Paul's posts in this thread, it's quite obvious that he has little knowledge of what goes on under the bonnet of a car. Rather than have him fiddle with things not knowing what he's doing and possibly creating extra faults, and seeing as how he's not far from Ant, it would be far better for him to take it there, have Ant look at it, and educate Paul a little at the same time.
I have an E36 320D in the workshop at the moment. Took me an hour to put right what was originally wrong with it, but it's going to take all day tomorrow to put right the owners attempts to sort it!

[Simon]

but reading through Paul's posts in this thread, it's quite obvious that he has little knowledge of what goes on under the bonnet of a car.

I thought the same, and yes, you are right, they are the sort of things you shouldn't play with if you don't know what you are doing, especially the mixture screw, that's a fave!

As long as Pauls car has stopped producing fresh stools!

[jonbuoy]

Sound's like the TPS has been over adjusted. You need someone under the bonnet who know's what to look for, you might make it worse
Once you see it done you'll probably say to yourself, "How simple was that".

If anything, slacken the cable off if it's been adjusted

[bmwe30mtech]

Thanks very much guys. .

I think Ant sounds like the answer if he is willing to help me!

I havent adjusted it, i have been out and just fitted a new wiper motor. (very fiddly job, drove me crazy for such a simple thing!)

I am not that bad at engines, i re build kart engines from scratch (litrually, as in blow torch the crackcases to sink in the crank bearings), and tune them. 2 and 4 stroke, but as for cars yes i am learning.

Thanks, how do i contact Ant, and what does he charge etc?

Paul

[bmwe30mtech]

Sent a few emails to both of ants mail addys on friday.

[Adammcf]

Pre-rebuild my car did strange things with the throttle. A good clean out of the TPS cured it.

[onslow]

A car that shits itself! That's a new one!

Serious note though...it sounds like you have an idle leak somewhere, the engine management controls the idle, and any airleaks or a clogged up ICV will cause this, check for leaks, and give your ICV a clean out.

LMFAO!!!!

[bmwe30mtech]

A car that shits itself! That's a new one!

Serious note though...it sounds like you have an idle leak somewhere, the engine management controls the idle, and any airleaks or a clogged up ICV will cause this, check for leaks, and give your ICV a clean out.

LMFAO!!!!

Ahh dear, a mistake not to make again.