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Running Rough - Then OK
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m78



Joined: 14 Nov 2001
Posts: 2807
Location: In the great midwest

PostPosted: Tue Jun 05, 2012 10:03 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

could it be a relay is bad?

I once had a relay go bad (probably the fuel pump relay)

crank and crank and finally it would start, but it was certainly hard starting.

Replaced that relay, and never had that problem again.

I remember I was really stumped by that one for quite a while.

If you can get a used known good relay, you can exchange it to see if it makes any discernible difference.

.

.
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Lachssilber Metallic 203 1988 325i sedan with 200,xxx miles

Top Speed 220 km/h

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Last edited by m78 on Thu Jun 07, 2012 9:00 am; edited 1 time in total
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cjhsa



Joined: 10 Jun 2004
Posts: 325
Location: West Michigan

PostPosted: Wed Jun 06, 2012 5:40 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

What are those three relays? Which one is which?
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cjhsa



Joined: 10 Jun 2004
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PostPosted: Wed Jun 06, 2012 5:46 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Whatever is going on it seems to be temperature related. Car started up without issue the last two mornings after being left outside, but when lukewarm or having sat in the sun for a few hours, chug-chug-chug until whatever it is clears. I suspect it won't continue to clear much longer.
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cjhsa



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PostPosted: Wed Jun 06, 2012 11:53 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Just went out and started it up, gave it no gas, started on the first try. Definite sine-wave as high idle tried to equalize, then it dropped to low idle and didn't stall. Still a bit rough but nothing like before. Gas mileage seems low though.

Is this progress? I hope so.
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cjhsa



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PostPosted: Thu Jun 07, 2012 6:42 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Well, it did it again last night as I left work. Started fine, then died a couple minutes later, cleared somewhat after letting it sit and restarting, then it tried to die on me when I shifted into third, caught, and then drove fine the rest of the 37 miles home.

Driving my kid Jeep today. Crud.
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m78



Joined: 14 Nov 2001
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PostPosted: Thu Jun 07, 2012 8:59 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

I would definitely replace the fuel pump relay. It's only about $20-30 and would eliminate that as a possibility if it makes no difference.


But your symptoms sound very similar to what I experienced when my relay went south. Very difficult to diagnose, but also a very cheap fix.
.
.
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Top Speed 220 km/h

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cjhsa



Joined: 10 Jun 2004
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PostPosted: Thu Jun 07, 2012 1:01 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

So, Bavauto sells a Bosch fuel pump relay for about $11. The Duralast equivalent at Autozone is $60...

Huh?
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m78



Joined: 14 Nov 2001
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PostPosted: Thu Jun 07, 2012 2:42 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

yeah it does seem strange.

I would also check with the dealer. If their price is too high, at least you can get the definitive part number so when you do order it, you can rest assured it's the right one.

Also check with www.pelicanparts.com and www.eeuroparts.com

.

.
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cjhsa



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PostPosted: Fri Jun 08, 2012 7:47 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Well, last night I finally got the wrench kid next door over and we worked on three of my vehicles. Jeep A/C, van misfire, and the BMW...

Took the ICV off and cleaned it, it wasn't very dirty, and also cleaned whatever the sensor is that is attached sort of upstream from it right on the passenger side of the intake manifold. That one was really dirty. Put it back together and it didn't seem to make much difference. There is a distinct hesitation whenever you work the throttle up from idle. I'm sure it's related to this entire episode because it never used to do that.

Unplugging the ICV produces the characteristic fluctuation at idle, with a definite hiss/pop every time that valve moves, so it's working.
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cjhsa



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PostPosted: Mon Jun 11, 2012 7:58 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Running fine today.
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cjhsa



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PostPosted: Tue Jun 12, 2012 7:11 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Humpf. This AM I started the car and drove out of my neighborhood without issue. Came to a light and just before I got there it went yellow. I hit the gas - and it stumbled. Basically coasted through the intersection and then it went back to chug-chug-chug mode. Had to pull into a parking lot and help it get back to steady idle, then it was fine. Until I pulled out and it did it again.... Finally got it cleared and drove it all the way to work without issue, 37 miles.

What on earth.
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m78



Joined: 14 Nov 2001
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PostPosted: Tue Jun 12, 2012 8:42 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

sounds like the fuel pump relay.
very intermittant and unpredictable.
.

.
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Top Speed 220 km/h

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cjhsa



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Location: West Michigan

PostPosted: Tue Jun 12, 2012 9:29 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

OK, so, Bavauto sells the same relay for the fuel pump as for the O2 sensor heater. They are right next to each other in the box over the wheel well. Mine don't have the same numbers on both of them. Can I simply swap them to test?
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cjhsa



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PostPosted: Tue Jun 12, 2012 9:43 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Boy does this ever look/sound familiar:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0IwnST4iw9s&feature=related
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cjhsa



Joined: 10 Jun 2004
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Location: West Michigan

PostPosted: Wed Jun 13, 2012 7:04 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

An update. I did find a leak in the intake bellows. It's tiny and underneath a lip where it was folded over itself during manufacturing. The only way I found it was by pinching the bellows with the car running.

So, I have that patched up until I can get a new one. This morning was cool. I started the car and let it warm up for 10 minutes while I ate breakfast. No issues at all.

Last night it didn't want to leave work again, I had let it idle for about two minutes and then it dropped to low idle and started sputtering. Before I could get the hood open it had evened out. Then I stopped for 20 minutes at a store and when I left the parking lot it quit on me, but started right back up.

I suspect a temperature sensor or something else that is thermally sensitive.
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