Author Topic: won't idle when warm or re-start (Read 4130 times)

Mike 91 318ic · « **on:** January 20, 2007, 03:44:41 PM »

This year I decided to parked my car to save it from winter but now it won't idle when warm. I start it up once or twice a week and let idle in the drive way for 5-10 minutes, but now once it just starts to warm up it dies. I waited for it to cool completely and disconnected the battery for an hour or so and tried starting it . She started up perfectly, so I took her for a short run around the block no problems, but when I let her idle for 1-2 minutes in the drive way after coming back she died again and won't restart. The car was running perfectly before I parked her. any ideas? I did let the battery run down to zero cause I forgot to close the trunk lid all the way for about a week, so I jump started it and got it running again. I then used a battery charger and charged the battery back up but other than that nothing has happened to it since it's been parked for the last 2 1/2 months.

Thanks for any input.
Mike 91 318ic

kowalski · « **Reply #1 on:** January 20, 2007, 05:03:00 PM »

my guess would be the ICV. hook up 12 volts to it and see if it opens and closes.
also check the plugs.

Mike 91 318ic · « **Reply #2 on:** January 20, 2007, 05:13:34 PM »

plugs as in spark plugs? they good. the icv is hard to get to, can you explain in more detail how to test it? Also when it fails is it sudden or does it slowly go? Like I said in my post the car was running 100% before I parked it.

tks
M

kowalski · « **Reply #3 on:** January 21, 2007, 03:49:47 AM »

yeah it should just fail, cause its either 12 volts and it opens/closes, or it doesn't. its pretty easy to get too, you need to undo 2 hose clamps and pull off that plug. then your good to go. take it off, and get your battery and 2 wires and hook it up, see if it opens and closes, if it does give it a clean, if it doesn't... I'v got a spare you can pick up. and yes, plugs as in spark plugs, they could have fouled by sitting over the season.

Mike 91 318ic · « **Reply #4 on:** January 21, 2007, 01:17:40 PM »

thanks buddy, save that icv for me just in case, if you want to make some extra cash maybe you'd want to install it too. So the icv works when the car is warm or cold? cause the car runs perfect when cold, but once it's warmed up it doesn't idle.

tks
M

kowalski · « **Reply #5 on:** January 21, 2007, 05:42:50 PM »

it could be stuck open or closed. so it could be running cold or warm... I'll tuck it away for you don't you worry. It shouldn't be hard to install, where abouts do you live again?

dude8383 · « **Reply #6 on:** January 21, 2007, 08:34:23 PM »

hey, it might be the cold weather. similar thing was happening to my car, start it up, runs fine and once warm could barely hold idle.

i would try to source another ecu and hook it up.

any CEL codes btw?!

kowalski · « **Reply #7 on:** January 21, 2007, 10:41:13 PM »

i would check other things before buying another ecu... an ecu problem shouldn't be consistent with temperature.

Mike 91 318ic · « **Reply #8 on:** January 21, 2007, 11:16:05 PM »

No codes afaik, weather isn't a issue cause I keep the car in a warm garage, and Mike I'm out in Ladner.

tks
M

kowalski · « **Reply #9 on:** January 21, 2007, 11:22:55 PM »

ok, so your about 30 min away from me. I duno if i'm going to have a lot of time as i'm trying to work as much as possible to make money for europe. but we could probably work something out. i have a spare ecu as well.

Mike 91 318ic · « **Reply #10 on:** January 22, 2007, 09:41:23 AM »

Mike, no rush I won't be driving it again until April. If you have some spare time and wanna come out we can have a couple beers, fix the car and I can give you some cash for helping me. I also have a spare set of coils if you need maybe trade for the icv??? whatever works for you.

ttyl
M
email me when you have time
ponsfordm@yahoo.com

e9nine · « **Reply #11 on:** January 22, 2007, 10:27:04 AM »

If the car sat for a while and the battery did drain - perhaps the ECU has not fully reset. If you parked the car that long - it sometimes takes more than a drive around the block for the car to behave itself. Just starting with the basics before you go pulling and replacing stuff.

While driving the car, is the fuel flow consistent (via looking at the mpg needle)? Does it look like it's idling rich?

Mike 91 318ic · « **Reply #12 on:** January 22, 2007, 10:50:46 AM »

the car runs perfect when cold, then it just dies. The car has only been sitting for 2 months max which isn't very long. I scared to take it out too long cause A no insurance, and B it might break down.

kowalski · « **Reply #13 on:** January 23, 2007, 02:23:41 AM »

well i leave feb 9th for austria until june 30th, so i don't have too many days. But if i'v got a free weekend that should be doable, as for some coils, sounds like a good trade to me, i might need another 2 anyways. i'v got a couple other ideas if that doesn't fix it, especially dealing with the car dieing when warm. does it just immediately shut off, or does it sputter for a bit and then stall?

Mike 91 318ic · « **Reply #14 on:** January 23, 2007, 09:19:43 AM »

thanks Mike, any time is fine with me, but if you can't no worries, now that I'm in Ladner, CG is really close. Yes once it warms up it dies, no chance of keeping it running once it decides to call it quits. I'm going to try it again today and see if when I keep the throttle down a little the entire time if it'll stall, (I don't think it does stall with the accelerator depressed but once I lift off to let it idle it dies).

Let me know
ttyl
M