92 e36 325i - Page 2 - United Bimmer Community

Big Evil · 09-01-2009, 06:55 PM

Yeah, sounds like the independent shop guys you've seen are afraid/ignorant of BMW. The real joke is they aren't THAT different from anything else (especially the older stuff), just names and funny designations more than anything. You may want to try and source a replacement ECU for cheap somewhere like a pull it yourself salvage yard first (usually 15-20 bucks for miscellaneous electrical components). Sounds like the drive and the wait is more expensive and irritating than giving that a shot. But yes, I'm praying for ya. Good luck.

**macneil** · 09-01-2009, 07:11 PM

Ya my buddy said he wanted to change out the ECU, he's got a used one. I called the 4 biggest junk yards around here and nobody has parts for my car, it's unreal lol.

**chutan** · 10-17-2009, 12:55 AM

Hi macneil.....how is your car right now? Did the ecu died on your car? looks like we have the same issues except that mine doesn't stall.

**macneil** · 10-19-2009, 09:25 PM

Here is everything i did to my car and it's been working perfect for almost 2 months now.

First cleaned the ICV (Idle control valve).
Next tested the TPS (Throttle position sensor). tested with a multimeter and it was working fine. This video will help if u don't know how to test one.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IsX5q...eature=related

Changed the fuel filter and dumped a couple fuel injector cleaners in.

I took out the ecu opened it up and noticed there were some brown spots on some of the little solder points, so i bought a fine point solder gun and touched all of them that were brown. I was told that over time those solder points can get a small crack in them and well, cause it not to run right.

I put a cold air intake on it, and that's about it.

It only started running properly after i re-soldered the ecu and put the cold air intake on it but i donno. Maybe it was just the injectors were still clogged with dirt and over time they got cleaned out. I only run supreme in it cuz that's what they call for.

Hope this helps you, i know i was getting pretty frustrated with it.

Also here is a sweet DIY site i go to a lot, maybe it will help you.
http://www.bimmerdiy.com/dir/e36

**chutan** · 10-20-2009, 10:56 AM

Nice to hear your bimmer runs perfect right now.

did you have a check engine light turned on before doing all the DIYs? How did you clean the Idle control valve?
I replaced the TPS but the car still experience some rough idle

i guess dumping in some fuel injector cleaners would be my next step. I don't want to monkey around on the ECU. If i busted that...it will take time for me to order it

**macneil** · 10-20-2009, 11:42 AM

The check engine light is always on because i unplugged the o2 sensor. Actually when i bought the car from a friend he put a brand new o2 sensor in it, and it ran fine for the first 20minutes that i drove it. The next day i drive it again for about 20minutes and then it started to run like SHIT! It had no power, the idle was screwed right up, and it would stall out when i gave it lots of gas. I pulled over, jacked the car up and unplugged the o2 sensor and it ran perfect for about a month until i started having the bucking/stalling/no power issue again. I haven't gotten around to buying a new o2 sensor yet, I'm to lazy to do it right now, even though its one of the simplest things to do lol.

As for cleaning the ICV
http://www.unitedbimmer.com/forums/b...aning-diy.html

It only took me about 30mins to take it apart and put back together.

Is your check engine light on right now?

**chutan** · 10-23-2009, 06:39 AM

Yes check engine light is still on ( car works fine) but the weird part is when it turns off, rough idling will occur and sometimes loss of power.
I have an AC Schnitzer headers and muff installed in the car ( its already there when i bought it). Not sure if 02 sensors has to do something with it coz it not OEM.

Thanks for the link of the cleaning the ICV

**macneil** · 10-23-2009, 11:27 AM

You said your o2 sensor was aftermarket?

My buddy that works on bmw's told me that aftermarket o2 sensors are crap, they've had too many problems with them.

Try unplugging it. When i would plug mine in it had no power and wouldn't run right until i unplugged it.

Hope you get it running.

**chutan** · 10-25-2009, 12:46 AM

Not sure if the O2 are aftermarket......i think only the headers and muffler are ACS....the straight pipes are still original bmw.

we only have one 02 sensor in our cars right?

**macneil** · 10-25-2009, 03:32 PM

Mine is a 92 and it only has 1 o2 sensor. I'm not sure what years or what ones have 2 in them.

Big Evil · 10-25-2009, 09:35 PM

Generally after MY '96 with the requirement of OBD II.