528e- stalling for split second

jet528e · 01-29-2003, 01:27 PM

Hi Everyone - I'm new the board but not Pelican. I own a '88 528e with an automatic tranny. Changed the rotor and Dist cap about 45K miles ago & changed the plugs and fuel filter about 5K miles ago. I was wondering if anyone had experienced the following: Rough Idle at start up, seems to miss a bit even after warm but not consistantly and not when at driving speeds, she runs smooth except as follows: When running at nearly every rpm range, the car will cut out (stall) for a split second, then catch itself and continue (seems to happen more when I let off gas). The red check engine light comes on for a split second then goes out when she catches herself. At times a yellow light will flash on for a split second. This light is directly left of the check engine light - I have no clue what this light is or does as it does not stay on long enough and I can't see any writing even with a flashlight. Prior to this, the engine would cut out at 4200 rpms then catch itself and run smoothly to the red line. It did this only about 40% of the time and never when running the A/C - very strange indeed.

Has anyone experience this before? Does anyone know what the yellow light is. My mechanic says that there is no warning light or any other light to the left of the red check engine light - there is as it keeps flashing on. Also, my mechanic did a computer reading and came up with the codes 22 & 4 which indicate idle control valve. But does the idle control valve impact the car while driving during normal driving/rpm range? I don't want to just start replacing parts if they are not bad. Any help or opinions are appreciated on what may be happening here.

Thanks,
Jim
'86 911 Carrera
'88 BMW 528e

Javier at Pelican Parts · 01-29-2003, 02:53 PM

jim what does the light look like? does it look like a little gear? or a triangle with a "!" in the middle? let me know.

jet528e · 06:03 AM

Javier-
Thanks for the reply. I've tried to watch for the light to see what it says. The problem is that when I'm watching for it, it does not come on and when it does, it just a flash and by the time I look down, it's gone. I've tried to see if there is any wording or image by shining a flash light on the idiot light, but to no avail. Over the weekend, when I have time, I may try looking from behind the panel with a light and see if I can figure out what it says. I'll keep you posted - Thanks for your help!

Regards,
Jim
'86 911 Carrera
'88 528e

Javier at Pelican Parts · 01-30-2003, 07:33 AM

Jim, do you feel in slipping in the tranny? or does it hold 1st or 2nd just a little too long? I used to have an E28 myself with what sounds like a similar problem. and what that light might be isthe trans default light, and what that means is when the trans slips it will default and lock into 4th as a safty precaution allowing you to still drive off the road. If this is the case with your car, the problem is in one of the solinods on the valve body.

jet528e · 01-30-2003, 09:31 AM

Javier -
I have experienced some slipping although not frequent. A couple of months ago, when starting out from a stop and the car cold, I would step on the gas and the engine would simply rev. At first I thought that it was due to the cold or low tranny fluid. I checked the fluid and it was ok. It slipped only three times in about two months. It has not done it for awhile. How would I check the silinoids on the valve body? Where are they located? Is this something that a back yard mechanic like myself could fix, or should I default to a local BMW mechanic and advise him of your suggestion.....

Thanks much for your help!

Regards,
Jim

Javier at Pelican Parts · 01-30-2003, 09:37 AM

ok, lets go one step further is your s a 4hp22 trans? next to the gear selecter inside the car is ther a swith, dial, with "s, e, 123,"? The Valve body is in the trans in the pan access by droping the oil pan, might want to consider expert assisitance in this one. by put the car through a diagnostic it will show if any default codes have been activated and pin piont the prob, usualy at the dealer although some of the newer shops might be able to help, I'll try to find some more info for you, and let you know, if i find anything,

jet528e · 01-30-2003, 10:31 AM

Javier -
Thanks for your help! Next to the gear selector there is no switch. I did have the wrench to a diagnositc and it revealed the codes 4 and 22. He told me that indicated the idle control valve. The problem of course is that as soon as you turn the car off, the codes are gone, and if it does not do it again while he has it, not much help. Anyway, thanks again for all you are doing for me. It may be best to head back to his shop and simply let him drive the car for a couple days.

Best regards,
Jim

Javier at Pelican Parts · 01-30-2003, 11:33 AM

Good luck with that Jim, let me know how it goes.
Javier

jet528e · 01-30-2003, 12:21 PM

Will do! Thanks for your assistance!

Best Regards,
Jim

Tatios · 02-22-2003, 04:58 PM

I run a shop in Philadelphia. I have rebuilt a 88 528e auto for a friend who bought the car with a bad engine. This car exhibits very similar symtoms. The car does not light the yellow light next to the check engine light. This dash cluster shows EML on the lens. Have you solved this problem?

jet528e · 02-23-2003, 08:40 AM

Hi Ed,
No I have not solved the problem as of yet. I've not had the time to take it to the mechanic who does most work for me that I cannot do or solve. IMO, it "must" be some sort of electrical control problem. It may be a sylinoid in the tranny as noted above. It may be idle control valve as the car seems to be running more rough all the time. I just hate replacing parts if I'm not sure that the part is bad, especially at a $100 a pop. If you have any ideas, I'd be more than welcome to your input!

Regard,
Jim

Banditt · 02-27-2003, 07:28 AM

Hey,

Maybe this is just a shot in the dark, but I had a similar sounding problem a few months ago with my 1990 525i. As I would accelerate through first and second, the car would seem to slip, almost as if the gears were slipping, but the transmission was not at all my problem. Like your car, mine would catch itself, and be fine for awhile. The source of my problem was a dirty air intake. My car was just not getting enough air. Further, the car could be running too rich on gas as well. I would check this before looking elsewhere, the world of expensive repairs.

Banditt

jet528e · 03-01-2003, 08:53 AM

Banditt - thanks for the tip. I did check the air box and replace the filter, however maybe I need to delve a bit deeper.

Regards,
Jim
88 528e
86 911 Carrera

jet528e · 03-06-2003, 06:29 AM

It appears that I may have a solution and will know more after the weekend. I pulled all plugs and cleaned. I then checked all ignition wire connections at plugs and distributor. I noticed that there was a chunk missing from the sensor wire that connects onto the the #6 wire by the distributor, exposing the wire. I put a bunch of electrical tape around it and took the car out to see what would happen. Sure enough, it ran all the way to the red line without missing and without the engine light coming on. I did this several times to ensure it was not just a fluke and had no reoccurances. The engine light did come back on breifly when I would let off the gas and it still idles rough on start-up indicating the "Idle Control Valve" needed to be replaced. I just received a new set of wires and the "Idle Control Valve" and will install this weekend. I'm expecting the entire issue to be fixed. I'll advise after the repairs are completed as to the outcome.

Regards,
Jim
'88 528e
'86 911

jet528e · 03-08-2003, 03:56 PM

The issue has been solved. I replaced both the wires and the idle control valve and there is no more stalling or cutting out. She runs very smoothly all the way to the red line every time.

Regards,
Jim
'88 528e
'86 911

Banditt · 03-09-2003, 04:04 PM

Good to hear man.

Later, Banditt

Tatios · 03-09-2003, 04:53 PM

Thanks for letting us know the cure! Good Luck.

Ed