A friends asked me to have a look at a problem on his E46 325ci.

Car starts fine....but idles very very low almost stalling at times however you can rev it and it does so very cleanly.

Engine management light is on so its very probably a sensor of some sort.

Was thinking lambda sendor or MAF, possibly coolant sendor? Any common problems?

Are they ODB2 compliant - if so where do I locate the ODB2 socket?

Thanks in advance people.

 

Air leak if the oil cap isnt on properly that can cause this , also the engine vent valve & hose pipe splits under the inlet. These will all bring lambda faults causing weak mixture

 

Excellent Carlo - will take a look at these areas - thanks.

 

No probs mate better to check them first as ppl usually put lambda sensors on & fault still there most of the time they have just topped up their oil & not put the cap back on properly

 

obd socket on drivers footwell has a little cover on it

 

Mint.....cheers again mate.

 

Also check the seal that sits under the oil ca to make sure its not split and check the breather ot to make sure it isn't cracked. Had one of these in a couple of months ago, knew it was an air leak and found about 3 different ones

 

10/10 for Carlo....




Got a new hose from BMW...got both parts just to be on the safe side....rang em at 4:45pm today, oddly enough they had both in stock! LOL!

Fitted - what a bastard that was....but now idles pppperfect - although Engine Management light aint gone out - I presume the code needs clearing for this to go out?

 

yep, code will need cleared.

 

The code *should clear* eventually

 

Will the code not clear by disconnecting the battery for half hour or so?

 

I did think that - whats eventually though? Its done 7 miles.

Tried that - didnt work either.

Perhaps something else is amiss!!

 

No you cant wipe the codes with a battery reset.

If you fix the problem the fault will become "not currently present" and after enough time (maybe even 40 stop-start cycles) it should go out.

But if there is another fault there it won't of course...

Just get someone to stick a fault code reader on it - if you were local I would clear it for ya!

 

As above it will need cleared i take it the car is running fine now?

 

Lee, i`ll clear it for you and do a systems check if you bring it up fella

 

Took it down for MOT at JCs today - passed fine & then nipped upto his other garage & Ant whacked the Snap On Tester on it - showed up a total of 8 codes - all of which showed misfires & fuel trims/banks out etc - cleared the codes off & they havent re-appeared since. So its all good!!

Diva - cheers for the offer dude. Have you copied that chip for me yet!!

The main reason I had it in was to rectify this little issue....





Yup thats right - the rear axle mount had ripped through the floor! LOL!

Common fault I believe on higher powered E46s etc - not good anyway...especially when he was getting quotes of Ł2.5k to have it repaired!!!

 

indeed it is a common fault on the higher powered ones, he much launch it often...lol