car struggling to idle in the morning - United Bimmer Community

**tauki** · 06-26-2009, 01:23 PM

Hello' I've got 323(m52)now in the moorning the car could'nt idle.I disconnect the air sensor,then it idle at 500rpm &600rpm.after few minutes it start to go up & down,then I put back sensors it becomes fine.but stil at around 600rpm.I've checked for leaks,I can't find any.when u drive it & park it after few minutes it won't start,u have to wait until it's cold.I'changed the battery & the solenoid on the starter,but stil.any body with a help.please!

Big Evil · 06-29-2009, 08:54 PM

That sounds like a bad O2 sensor. Can you get any codes off of it? May be an O2 heater circuit or a worn out sensor? When it heats up and wont start does it still crank and just not fire? Other option is a bad CKP (crank position sensor), bad air gap, bad sensor or bad wire/connector has to be cold to make contact but heats up, resistance increases and bam. dead until it cools down again.

**tauki** · 06-30-2009, 10:57 AM

hello.thanx man for the advise.I will change 02 sensor.the problem of starting when hot.the starter does'nt turn at all.u can only hear a click sound,like if u battery is low.I bought a new one.Is it a good suggestion to get anti theft system disconnected?becouse it seems as if there's not enough power to crak the engine.

Big Evil · 06-30-2009, 10:51 PM

You could have a starter going out, worn relay. COULD be caused by an aftermarket security system, just depends on how it was installed and what wire got cut (if any). How loud is the click (just the solenoid moving) or a great whacking thud? From you description I'm suspecting the starter is the most likely culprit.

**tauki** · 07-01-2009, 12:14 AM

Hi.thanx man now it make sense to me,becouse the security system is after market one.the click sound u can hadly hear it.now tel me do I have to change relay or get anti theft system removed.where is the relay situated?

**tauki** · 07-01-2009, 11:59 AM

Hi.thanx man for advise.I've installed relay on the starter,it's as if my problem are sorted.thanx man.one more thing I want to know.How do I check if (MAF) is not working properly?

Big Evil · 07-01-2009, 05:33 PM

Excellent! you got the starter thing fixed, nice work. The BEST way to check a maf is to plug in a scanner and view the data while the car is running. You could unplug it while the car is running and see what it does, then plug it back in. It CAN indicate an issue but not always the best approach. At the risk of sounding like a horribly broken record, check the rubber elbow in between the maf and throttle body they develop cracks/leaks down in the bellows. If the car runs and doesn't suck gas like a chevy chances are the maf is ok.