e36 316i compact (2000) won't idle

[Andr3wtx]

hi,

After changing my clutch, my e36 won't idle. I can start but the engine cuts of immediatly. Sometimes it is possible to rev it. When it revs it shakes the car left to right slightly and then cuts out with pops and bangs (which I don't want, since it is the oem exhaust). I changed battery to a new one. Did I make a mistake in installing the clutch?

kind regards and thanks for the help

[Eric93se]

Are you sure you have an e36? Post some pics!

Check all connectors and vacuum lines. But yeah it is possible to have done something wrong during the clutch install but I will let 5spd people here chime in to help.

[Andr3wtx]

Yes most definitly an E36.
Could it be the CO2 censors on the exhaust? Those were pretty busted. But i tried to run whitout exhaust before i chanced the clutch and this worked.
I don't see anything wrong with lines and connectors. Could an obd scan give me more info?

[Eric93se]

Your pre-cat oxygen sensors are important, so replace them. Scan tool won't let you know if you installed the clutch or components wrong.

If the clutch was installed correctly then I would suggest smoke testing the engine to find any vacuum leaks. You can build your own smoke tester, there are ideas on youtube.

[Andr3wtx]

I suspect this is the sensor on the exhaust? What does it do? Scan-tool might let me know if there is something wrong with O2/CO2 or am i completely wrong about that?
Yes i will research it, because it could be some crack that I cant deze.

[Eric93se]

Yes in the exhaust there is a oxygen sensor (not carbon dioxide) O2. Typically there is one before the catalytic converter and one after, some cars have two before and two after (like the bmw 328i 325i and m3)

If the sensor has more than 30-50k miles it can be replaced. A scan tool will not always tell you if the sensor is healthy or not, but when looking at 'live' data one can determine if the sensor is functioning correctly. Even a sensor that functions will loose accuracy and lead to ~10% reduction in fuel economy.

[Andr3wtx]

Thank you very much for the clarifying explanation.
How does this sensor stop my engine from running at idle?

[Eric93se]

Most likely they will not prevent the car from idling.

[Andr3wtx]

So it is probably something else? I will try this smoke method this weekend

[Andr3wtx]

Tried the smoke test, no vacuumleaks. I ordered the O2 sensors. Is there something else I can check in the mean time?

[Eric93se]

Well if you checked every hose connection and every electrical connector than most likely something with the clutch install went wrong.

[Andr3wtx]

In the mean time the OBD scanner arrived. P0340 camshaft position sensor A circuit bank 1. Where can I find this sensor? I suppose that I only have one?