'96 328i WILL start, NO Idle

WrrEagle97 · 08-21-2008, 02:19 PM

I tried to start my '96 328i this morning, it is garaged, and it would start, but immediately shut off. So, I tapped the throttle as I started it and it would accelerate but immediately shut off. I started it again and this time was able to keep it steady at 1,500 RPM with my foot on the throttle...but when I let off, it shut off. Any thoughts? The second and third times I started it, I turned the ignition on and waited until the fuel system pressurized before ignition but that didn't help either.

WrrEagle97 · 04:30 PM

I managed to get the car to my favorite mechanic. He looked at it and said it was probably the idle control valve. He had one available which when twisted by rotating your wrist, you could hear the valve moving inside. So, I took it home and proceeded to take things apart. You don't have to remove the intake manifold as I later discovered. I did pull up the fuel injectors until I realized there are two screws holding the valve in place. The old valve was frozen and not making the clicking sound like the new one. After putting it back together I tried starting it and it spit and sputtered. I looked at the injectors and noticed O-rings sitting next to the injectors. Hmm.....so I took them back up....3 were missing the tips! Oh no. Where are they????

WrrEagle97 · 08-24-2008, 04:28 PM

So, when I pulled up the injectors, I noticed three tips were missing. I found out that Advance Auto carries an O-ring kit that has tips in it. It worked! I pulled up the intake manifold to look on the valves and there were no pieces in there. I put it all back together and it fired right up. When you first start the car up it will sputter a little and run rough. 1. Make sure you pressurize the fuel system. 2. After about 5 minutes or so the roughness cleared up and it runs just as smooth as it always did. I DID NOT SPEND $366 FOR 3 NEW INJECTORS! Whahoo!!