Author Topic: Car problems! runs like crap! (Read 2484 times)

ajatya2 · « **on:** July 21, 2009, 11:35:01 AM »

Ok so i have a 94 e36 318is automatic.
Whats been happening latley is at first it just started running a little funny and at it would stall out if i didnt warm the car up. Then i would drive the car and it would all of a sudden feel like its stuck in 3rd gear and go no were. it would just bog realy bad. Even putting the car into the manual mode and having it in 1st it would still go no were. when this happens i have to turn the car off for about 2 min and then im back up and running. what has also a few times is the check engine light will flash on and off and the car will sound like it has massive cams in it like the timming went off a degree. needless to say i need some advice to see if it sounds more like a engine or tranny problem. Im thinking engine and mabie a cam sensor or crank sensor. i have yet to check the compression tho. keep in mind when the cars not feeling like its going to die it runs awsome. I just need some good advice!

-Austin

DesktopDave · « **Reply #1 on:** July 21, 2009, 01:55:56 PM »

Look for a loose vac hose before you start replacing expensive stuff. Any white smoke from the tailpipe?

Vac problems can contribute to transmission issues - the DME/ECU & tranny TCM read vacuum info from the engine to determine when to shift.

ajatya2 · « **Reply #2 on:** July 22, 2009, 04:48:10 PM »

checked all the hoses and theres no white smoke coming out.

bosshogg85 · « **Reply #3 on:** July 30, 2009, 11:43:35 PM »

Yep I have the same problem in the same car

DesktopDave · « **Reply #4 on:** July 31, 2009, 01:53:05 PM »

You should slap a vac gauge on your car to see if it's running right. Or do the carb cleaner spray on the hoses to see if idle speed varies. There are a lot of hoses. You also have that odd crank ventilator that our e30's don't. I'd check that out too.