Forum Home Forum Home > Cars & Registers > 3-series
  New Posts New Posts RSS Feed - 316ti E46 intermittent erractic idle
  FAQ FAQ  Forum Search   Events   Register Register  Login Login

*** BMW Car Club GB website - see https://bmwcarclubgb.uk/ ***

*** Looking to buy or sell? ~ Checkout our BMW Car Club GB classifieds ***

316ti E46 intermittent erractic idle
 Post Reply Post Reply
Author
Message
  Topic Search Topic Search  Topic Options Topic Options
Allan3600 View Drop Down
Forum Member
Forum Member
Avatar

Joined: 28 Apr 2021
Location: Denmark
Status: Offline
Points: 11 		Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Allan3600 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Topic: 316ti E46 intermittent erractic idle
    Posted: 28 Apr 2021 at 8:03pm
I have just purchased a 316ti from 2002 (E46) which suffers, occassionally, from erratic idling. It usually  ends up stalling after one of these fits. It starts fine and most of the time runs smoothly.

After much research I think I have pinpointed the problem to be in the Valvetronic system. If I disconnect the eccentric shaft sensor then the problem disappears. I would almost venture to say that it feels like it has more power.

Is there any danger of running with this sensor disconnected? Will a new sensor solve the problem?
Back to Top
Sponsored Links
BMW Car Club Forum Homepage

Back to Top
NickDE View Drop Down
Region Chair
Region Chair
Avatar
North East Chairman

Joined: 14 Mar 2015
Location: Newcastle
Status: Offline
Points: 1139 		Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote NickDE Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 29 Apr 2021 at 8:44pm
Have you had the diagnostics checked to see if there are any error codes stored ?
Darkness gone, Tronic gone, Solo gone, DBA gone, go Darknes2, go Frozen, go Black Pearl, go Echo. RIP The Vibrator
Back to Top
Allan3600 View Drop Down
Forum Member
Forum Member
Avatar

Joined: 28 Apr 2021
Location: Denmark
Status: Offline
Points: 11 		Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Allan3600 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 30 Apr 2021 at 5:15am
Have just purchased a OBDII and run a scan. I  am getting codes, but cannot remember what they were.
Will get back on these.
Thanks!
Back to Top
Allan3600 View Drop Down
Forum Member
Forum Member
Avatar

Joined: 28 Apr 2021
Location: Denmark
Status: Offline
Points: 11 		Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Allan3600 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 15 May 2021 at 3:46pm
I have now done a bit more experimenting. Here is a summary.
1. I cleaned the 2 vanos solenoids.
2. I measured the resistance between the terminals on the solenoids. I learned from a youtube video that the resistance should lie between 10.5 and 11.7 ohms. Whether this is true or not, I have no clue. The upper measured 18 ohms and the lower was 11.3.
3. I disconnected the upper solenoid while the engine was running and the erratic idle behaviour disappeared

My conclusion is that the upper should be replaced. I have ordered a new one and keep my fingers crossed that it will solve the problem.


Edited by Allan3600 - 16 May 2021 at 7:26am
Back to Top
Allan3600 View Drop Down
Forum Member
Forum Member
Avatar

Joined: 28 Apr 2021
Location: Denmark
Status: Offline
Points: 11 		Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Allan3600 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 03 Jun 2021 at 2:31pm
Just an update..

I am afraid that replacing the solenoid did not solve the problem The erratic behaviour has become so bad that I have disconnected the eccentric shaft sensor. The result is that the engine starts and runs smoothly. This cannot be right but leaving it connected it runs so badly that I am afraid I am damaging the engine

My next guess is a defective sensor.
Back to Top
Allan3600 View Drop Down
Forum Member
Forum Member
Avatar

Joined: 28 Apr 2021
Location: Denmark
Status: Offline
Points: 11 		Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Allan3600 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 22 Jul 2021 at 7:58am
Final update.
I have replaced the eccentric shaft sensor. I has helped the problem but not solved it completely.
Cold start: Uneven idle for first 10-20 sec. Does not stall
Warm start: Very uneven idle first minute. Can stall.

It should be said that I used a non-original part. 

I dont think I will pursue the issue any longer. Will learn to live with it :-)
Back to Top
AndrewE View Drop Down
Club Member
Club Member


Joined: 25 Jun 2007
Status: Offline
Points: 1200 		Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote AndrewE Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 22 Jul 2021 at 10:31am
Most likely a worn out eccentric shaft. Chinese sensors are utter crap. It may have had a Chinese valvetronic motor in the past as well. 
Back to Top
NickDE View Drop Down
Region Chair
Region Chair
Avatar
North East Chairman

Joined: 14 Mar 2015
Location: Newcastle
Status: Offline
Points: 1139 		Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote NickDE Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 22 Jul 2021 at 7:21pm
Could it be a VANOS issue ? A quick google should give you the symptoms etc.
Darkness gone, Tronic gone, Solo gone, DBA gone, go Darknes2, go Frozen, go Black Pearl, go Echo. RIP The Vibrator
Back to Top
 Post Reply Post Reply

Forum Jump Forum Permissions View Drop Down

Forum Software by Web Wiz Forums® version 12.03
Copyright ©2001-2019 Web Wiz Ltd.

This page was generated in 0.181 seconds.