Author Topic: 1993 E36 318is Problem with idle control valve (Read 5737 times)

CalmGuy · « **on:** October 30, 2010, 09:28:07 AM »

Guys, I have small question about idle control valve (ICV).
I have some problems with my car so I decided to clean my ICV. After disconnecting the hoses I decided to look how everything inside is working. Here's the video:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bLJrHjRT4r0

As you see, there's no difference whether ignition is on or off. Some people say that ICV should make some sound and/or be open when ignition is on, but obviously mine doesn't do anything.

Do you know how ICV is working when ignition is on(engine is off)? Or how I can test it without reading fault codes?

Thanks.

CalmGuy · « **Reply #1 on:** November 01, 2010, 01:15:17 AM »

Anyone? :rolleyes:

Hodge · « **Reply #2 on:** November 01, 2010, 06:32:50 AM »

Is your motor not idling anymore? Did you plug it back in to see what happened?

I think mine bit the dust, so I found a longer throttle bolt to hold the throttle open slightly. It actually runs better, the flywheel doesn't rattle annoyingly, etc. I would let off the gas, depress the clutch and the engine would die, no matter how fast I was going. I tried the longer bolt for giggles, and it ended up running better than with the ICV. I had suspected ICV issues for awhile, but after it started just dying, I said screw it. Also, I didn't particularly want to spend $150 on a new one.

As far as I know, it probably won't move without any kind of vacuum going through it. That's how it works. I know it is plugged in, but I bet it needs to "sense" a vacuum to start moving its innards.

CalmGuy · « **Reply #3 on:** November 01, 2010, 07:40:48 AM »

Hmmz, I like your's idea. Maybe it really needs vacuum going through it. Although I think it should make some kind of sound. Well... To be honest my car is idling great but sometimes when I drive and put neautral gear, revs drop to ~500 and come back to normal ~800. That's a little issue but quite annoying.
Do you think that the car with ICV stuck in position like this would simply die on idle?

Hodge · « **Reply #4 on:** November 01, 2010, 02:04:55 PM »

I don't think the ICV makes any distinguishable noises. If your car idles fine, why did you clean it? Mine kinda did that at some point, but then it got better until it just flat out decided to stop idling at all.

DesktopDave · « **Reply #5 on:** November 01, 2010, 03:07:32 PM »

Mine hums and I can feel it vibrating slightly when the car is running. You can test it with a 9v battery. Should vibrate & flick the little valve head too.

Hodge · « **Reply #6 on:** November 01, 2010, 04:15:59 PM »

Oh there ya go

I never noticed mine making any noises, probably because the motor was on.

DesktopDave · « **Reply #7 on:** November 01, 2010, 05:43:42 PM »

I was surprised when I felt it run for the first time. I had two to test...good thing I did...the new one was bad. The old cruddy one worked perfectly. There's a surprising amount of torque in that little thing too!

The e36 ICV is really well hidden - the e30 is just tacked on like an afterthought.

Hodge · « **Reply #8 on:** November 01, 2010, 07:33:16 PM »

Quote from: DesktopDave;98202

I was surprised when I felt it run for the first time. I had two to test...good thing I did...the new one was bad. The old cruddy one worked perfectly. There's a surprising amount of torque in that little thing too!

The e36 ICV is really well hidden - the e30 is just tacked on like an afterthought.

Yeah I never saw mine until I tore the intake manifold off for the DASC install...now it's tacked on like the E30's lol

CalmGuy · « **Reply #9 on:** November 01, 2010, 11:23:54 PM »

I cleaned ICV to make it even better.

Well, I think it would be better to miss this thing until something more important will happen. Thanks for replies.