Idle Control Module Issue

[Jlebel]

Hello. My name is Jake and I have recently bought a 1987 325e automatic 2 door and when I figure out how to add a picture I will! It is in pretty good shape body and engine wise. Its running rich but I think the AFM has been tampered with a bit. There is a lot of the common issues that I plan on fixing like broken odometer gears and cracked dash etc. Ive also got a idle problem that isn't so common and is driving me nuts and I cant find enough info.


So I have the motronic 1.0 system in my car and this includes the idle control module by the DME. I have done as much looking as I can and ruled out a lot of issues. I bought a new idle control valve it works when power is applied as well as reading 10 ohms(its a 2 prong ICV) The old one that came with the car was a bit different and is only cracked enough to idle at about 700 rpm when disconmected. When I got the car going (usually with holding the accelerator down a bit) it idled very stable at 700 so I dont believe I have a vaccuum issue either. TPS is good as well.

Since this car has a idle control modue I have done the tests on it and the only thing I have found was that while the key is in the on position I should be seeing 12 volts but instead I see 0.01 volts across pins 2 and 4 as well as 0.01 volts at pins 1 and 5 the ICV ouptut. I had the unit opened up and looked it over, 3 connections had to be resoldered which was done and I was still only seeing 0.01 volts. Now since I cant find enough info I am stuck. Could it still be the unit which I do have another one coming eventually or could it be a relay or something else?

I would greatly appreciate the help!
Thanks,
Jake

[richardodn]

Well it sounds like you know your way around electrical. Go get the ETM for your car at http://wedophones.com/BMWManualsLead.htm

[Jlebel]

Well it sounds like you know your way around electrical. Go get the ETM for your car at http://wedophones.com/BMWManualsLead.htm

Thanks I'll have a look at that!

[tomstin]

Probably the best end-to-end, all in one place, idle trouble shooting site that I found is here: http://www.verrill.com/car/e30_idlefaq.shtml And, of course, a professional smoke test is always a good start.

[Jlebel]

Probably the best end-to-end, all in one place, idle trouble shooting site that I found is here: http://www.verrill.com/car/e30_idlefaq.shtml And, of course, a professional smoke test is always a good start.

So as an update I have done a lot of work on the car unrelated to the idle issue the past couple days. Spark plug wires, distributor cap and rotor, valve cover gasket odometer gears as well as a new airflow meter. These were all old and needed to be replaced.

Now for the idle issue. I did end up fixing the issue and it is running perefectly there was never any vacuum leaks to worry about its actually idling a bit low around 650 rpm ill have to see about bumping that up.

I looked over the fuse box quite well and I guess there was a fuse blown which ended up solving the no power to the idle control module issue. From there when the ICV was disconnected pins 1 and 5 were showing 12 volts but as soon as the ICV was connected the volts dropped to 0. I thoroughly looked over the inputs to the unit the AC was actually still sending a 12v signal even though the compressor is gone (PO must have done that) and the switch isnt pressed in so thats weird. Still didnt solve the issue so I took appart the idle control module again and found another loose wire to a 220 ohm resistor, soldered that plugged it in and it now works great!

Thanks for the help with the links it helped a lot too, Now to replace the windshield wiper linkage...

Jake

[Jlebel]

Also a pic of my car.

[superj]

Pic isn't showing

[Jlebel]

Pic isn't showing

Ok Ill try again later. I started the car up today and it was fine at 700 rpm then I started driving and put it in park and now its running very steady at 1500 rpm about 900 rpm in drive. When I start it up the revs start at 900 and climb to 1500 and stay there still very steady so I have no idea whats going on now...its running pretty rich this way as well. I wonder if its anything to do with the new air flow meter.

- - - Updated - - -

Also the car feels pretty powerless now

[superj]

Maybe vacuum leaks? Check if the throttle cable is set right and not holding the throttle plate open

[Jlebel]

Maybe vacuum leaks? Check if the throttle cable is set right and not holding the throttle plate open

I checked the throttle its set where it should be its barely cracked I backed it off until it was closed and it didnt change anything. Did half a turn on the ICV and it helped a bit got it back to where it was at 700 rpm. Ill see when I drive it next. Ill eventually get a smoke test done eventually but I dont believe it to be an issue.