Question on BMW 3-Series E36 O2_Sensor

Hi Pelican Parts,

I've got a 99' 318is that recently occasionally runs rough at idle for a minute or so on cold starts and accelerates a bit erratically also when cold. But the other evening I went to start it and it cranked for a while then coughed and fired but could only maintain 3-400rpm for a few seconds then would cut out, and repeated this a few times. The next day tried it again and it would only crank but not fire.

It is regularly serviced. I was just wondering if it could be something to do with the O2 sensor as my fuel consumption meter has started to behave strangely either showing that I'm using 30l/100km at standstill or 0l/100km when cruising and I understand that the gauge and the sensor are vaguely linked.

I cleaned the idle control valve but had no success in starting. I will next check the fuel pump relay and will see if I am getting any sparks.

Appreciate the help.

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[Nick at Pelican Parts]

Could be a fuel pump or a spark issue. I can't help without knowing what is missing from the system when you are trying to start it. When your engine doesn’t start you’ll want to check the basics. Check spark, fuel injector pulse and fuel pressure, volume, quality and engine compression. Are there any fault codes? Once you figure out what is missing, it will be easier to diagnose.


- Nick