92 e36 325i - United Bimmer Community

**macneil** · 08-18-2009, 11:10 PM

Hey.

I drive a 92 325i, auto.
It's doing a couple odd things. The first is, if i plug in my brand new o2 sensor the car will drive fine for about 10-15mins then it loses all power when i step on the gas. It will idle rough but won't stall out.
Now when i unplug the o2 sensor the car runs pretty good and is drivable! ??

Second: When im driving with the o2 sensor unplugged the rev gauge drops and the car loses all power, then it picks back up, then it does the same thing again then it stalls. It starts right back up and i can drive it for another few seconds but then it will do it all again. If i leave it parked over night it seems to fix itself for a little while.

It was annoying me,so while the car was running i went under the hood and started moving wires. When i moved the TSP(throttle position sensor) wire the car almost stalled out, but now when i move it it doesn't do it.?

I've cleaned my ICV (idle control valve), checked for any air leaks, bought a new fuel filter but have not put it in yet, will this weekend.

I've read other threads and guys with similar problems said they changed there Ignition Coils and that fixed the problem.
Any help would be appreciated.
Thanks

Big Evil · 08-19-2009, 03:42 PM

The O2 sensor is what I'm keying on along with the TPS. Where did you get the "new" O2 sensor at? It sounds like when your car goes into closed loop in about 10-15 minutes (closed loop means the computer starts using the O2 sensor feed to adjust the fuel trims) it's getting a bad signal/read hence the bad operation. Also the TPS, try cleaning the contacts and making sure the connection is tight, the TPS does wear out eventually, maybe time for a new one. Fuel filter IS a good idea. Ignition coils.......MAYBE, but try looking at your plugs as well. Replace with OEM replacement ONLY. Don't buy any of the fancy platinum/iridium crazy stuff, It's a waste of money in the older engines and can make them run poorly. As always check the bellows in the rubber elbow (deep cracks, hard to detect). By the way is the temp gauge reading correctly when this happens?

**macneil** · 08-19-2009, 07:21 PM

I bought the o2 sensor online at autopartsway.ca. I've bought a bunch of stuff from there and have not had any problems. Can i test it somehow?

On my intake boot i checked it all over and there are the smallest hair line cracks when i stretch it apart. There so small, but i'll buy another one just to be sure.

The TPS connectors are all cleaned up. I'm gonna buy one just so i can eliminate that from the list of things it could be.

My temp gauge always stays half way right where it should.

My coolant level sensor is shot, i get the reading on my OBC to check coolant level, would that have anything to do with it?

I will check all my plugs to see what there like.

**3050rpm** · 08-19-2009, 08:43 PM

Just a little tidbit with regard to the coolant sensor, it's probably okay, more likely the contact has some surface corrosion that's causing a false read on the OBC. Simple enough to correct, undo the thing by pinching in the clips (I'm not sure about the earlier E36s, but I think that's the type of contact, and you'll find it on the bottom left, as you stand looking at the car) and clean things up until you get a shiny metal contact.

**macneil** · 08-19-2009, 09:45 PM

Ya i tried cleaning up the connection, there was corrosion all over it but it didn't solve it, so i took out the sensor and it was full of thick crap all inside the sensor lol. I cleaned it all out, cleaned up the wire inside but still nothing. So i just ordered a new one.

Thanks for advice.

**3050rpm** · 08-20-2009, 06:13 AM

Hmmm, given what you've just described, sounds as if the cooling system is (past) due for a thorough flushing (if that isn't already on your "to do" list), radiator AND engine block.

**macneil** · 08-20-2009, 09:06 AM

Ya that is one thing on my to do list, also recharge my a/c unit.

Now with my A/C lines there's 2 nipples, one on each hose. There is one right on the firewall and there is one by the front headlight. Which one is it that i would hook up to?

**3050rpm** · 08-20-2009, 09:20 AM

A/C systems are another item on my list of automotive things I'm ignorant about, so I won't comment, except for this, if you don't mind another suggestion... have a reputable shop check out the system for leaks and worn out connections using a UV dye. I don't know the principle behind it, but that's the way to do it, and if identifying and fixing the leak(s) is simple enough, you will potentially have saved yourself losing that recharge.

**macneil** · 08-20-2009, 01:27 PM

Ya i will most likely just take it in somewhere, that way i wont have to deal with it and it shouldn't be too expensive.

Big Evil · 08-20-2009, 07:02 PM

There's not really a way to test an O2 sensor when it's not in the car, heated up and functioning. And that requires a scan tool. Problem is they are what's called a galvanic battery and they create their own voltage based on the difference in oxygen content in the exhaust stream and the atmosphere (yeah that's probably overly technical but what the hell :-). A/C isn't hard to do but you need to do it right. You got a '92 which is still R12, unless you retrofit to R134a (expensive refit, cheap refrigerant) you are better off taking it to a shop certified to handle the stuff. All the other stuff along with 3050's suggestion should make it better if not totally right. Good Luck

**macneil** · 08-20-2009, 09:30 PM

Well thanks for all your input guys.
Appreciate it a lot.

**macneil** · 08-21-2009, 05:55 PM

As i was driving down the highway today the car started acting up doing what it does, rev gauge drops, car loses power, then it picks up again. It did this for a little bit so i set it on cruise and it stopped for about 15mins. Then guess what, it starts acting up again. This time it starts stalling on me, but it starts right back up everytime???

Now everytime i start it, the rev gauge revs way up to about 2500-3000rpm.

Is there a commin reason for this ?

Big Evil · 08-22-2009, 03:48 PM

Don't know about common, but you could have an ECU dying.

**macneil** · 08-22-2009, 04:11 PM

I changed the fuel filter. The old one was pretty dirty, alot of brown drained out of it..

I took it for a spin, i drove it for about 10mins then came to a stop sign and it stalled on me. but as always it starts up fine and runs like ass.

When i eventually got it back i let it idle in the driveway for about 20mins and it idled perfect! it revs fine, it doesn't overheat. I donno maybe it could be the ECU dying..

I think i'm gonna take it into the garage Monday, i'm sick of it lol..

Thanks for all your help. I'll post back the problem when and if they figure it out.

**macneil** · 09-01-2009, 06:25 PM

So i took my car into the garage on a Monday and didnt get it back till Friday. I called them everyday, and everyday it was a new excuse why they couldn't get to it. All they did was take it for a drive and said it might be my o2 sensor. I asked them to hook it up to the computer and see if there were any codes, and the next day when i called back it was "oh we can't find the adapter to hook up to your car".
So they effed me.

Yesterday i bring it to another garage, they said they would look at it first thing. Soo i call them around 12ish and there like, uhh your hood won't shut properly so none of the guys want to drive the car. I'm like do you need me to come show the mechanics how to shut the hood? He's like no no we will get it, so i hang up. I call back around 4ish and there like ya we can't do anything for you cuz the hood won't shut properly but what we did do was clean a ground wire that was corroded badly, and that's all they did! I asked them to check fuel pressure but they wouldn't for some reason!

I have never had this much of a problem getting a car fixed! wow.

Now my last option is to take it to my buddy that lives 2hrs away and leave it with him for a week or 2, they also specialize in BMW VW AUDI and PORSHE.

Pray for me guys lol..