Idle problem i have a 2000 318i e46 with idle problem. when cold it just won't start or start only about 1 second then die. if i push accel pedal a little, it start and the rpm steady at 1000 then slowly dropped to 750 as the engine getting warm, then idle becomes erratic but the engine still running, the exhaust smell raw gas. With air-con on the rpm increase to about 900 but still erratic. No-problem at all when i speed the car, but when the car stop the idle is even worse unless i shift to neutral, it returns to it's initial erratic state. I have checked the ICV and it is OK. Can anyone help me with my problem? Thanks 1998 e46 318i poor starting and wont idle or take any throtel. Ive replaced the breather valve on the injetion manifold and some breather hoses at the front of the cylender head as it would run fine with the oil cap off. Now it wont run atol.

Spray some throttle cleaner into the throttle to clean it out. It will also clean the IAC valve. See if that will help you. You may need to have a scanner hooked up to see what is happening to the fuel system.

clean the iac sensor

Check the help links related to this problem.Click the link below to go through its troubleshooting procedure :-----Idles rough and quits when gas pedal is pressed less? http://technoanswers.blogspot.in/2012/01/1999-ford-f-150-idles-rough-and-quits.html---------
Car won't start without hitting the gas pedal? http://schematicsdiagram.blogspot.com/2011/12/car-wont-start-without-hitting-gas.html
-------Complete loss of brake pedal then all gets normal? http://repairhelpcenter.blogspot.com/2012/01/complete-loss-of-brake-pedal-then-all.html
------Car dies when gas pedal is pressed? http://schematicsdiagram.blogspot.com/2011/12/car-dies-when-gas-pedal-is-pressed.html
--------Pushing on the gas pedal, but the car slows down? Gas pedal to the floor and the car slows down?

http://technoanswers.blogspot.in/2012/02/pushing-on-gas-pedal-but-car-slows-down.html

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After replacing brake rotors and pads, brake pedal remains on floor? http://technoanswers.blogspot.in/2012/02/after-replacing-brake-rotors-and-pads.html

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accelerator pedal sensor? http://technoanswers.blogspot.in/2012/02/2009-chevy-impala-accelerator-pedal.html

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For rough idle issues and problem troubleshooting,go through the help links provided below :----- van idles rough?

http://howtobyme.blogspot.in/2012/01/2004-ford-freestar-van-idles-rough.html

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will not idle when cold?

http://technoanswers.blogspot.in/2012/02/ford-explorer-40-will-not-idle-when.html

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runs lean and idles rough?

http://technoanswers.blogspot.in/2012/02/ford-runs-lean-and-idles-rough.html

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Engine stumbles coming off idle when warm?

http://repairhelpcenter.blogspot.com/2012/01/engine-stumbles-coming-off-idle-when.html

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Erratic idle on car?

http://schematicsdiagram.blogspot.com/2011/12/erratic-idle-on-car.html

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Low idle when cold out side?

http://repairhelpcenter.blogspot.com/2011/12/low-idle-when-cold-out-side.html

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Idle Air Control (IAC) Valve Replacing?

http://schematicsdiagram.blogspot.com/2011/12/gmc-idle-air-control-iac-valve.html

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Engine quits at idle?

http://repairhelpcenter.blogspot.com/2011/10/engine-quits-at-idle.html

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Car overheats and Air blows hot at idle?

http://howtobyme.blogspot.com/2011/11/car-overheats-and-air-blows-hot-at-idle.html

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While stop engine idles like cylinder missing?

http://schematicsdiagram.blogspot.com/2012/01/while-stop-engine-idles-like-cylinder.html

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This will help.

Thanks.

For this problem, i suggest you to go through this help links.Click the link below to go through the troubleshooting procedure :----Car Idles rough and quits when gas pedal is pressed less? http://technoanswers.blogspot.in/2012/01/1999-ford-f-150-idles-rough-and-quits.html-----------Car only starts when gas pedal is pressed? http://technoanswers.blogspot.com/2012/01/car-only-starts-when-gas-pedal-is.html
-----------Car won't start without hitting the gas pedal? http://schematicsdiagram.blogspot.com/2011/12/car-wont-start-without-hitting-gas.html
---------Car dies when gas pedal is pressed? http://schematicsdiagram.blogspot.com/2011/12/car-dies-when-gas-pedal-is-pressed.html
------------Pushing on the gas pedal, but the car slows down? Gas pedal to the floor and the car slows down? http://technoanswers.blogspot.in/2012/02/pushing-on-gas-pedal-but-car-slows-down.html
-----------This will help.Thanks.

For this types of problem,there are few help links.I suggest you to click the link below and go through the troubleshooting procedure :-----Car only starts when gas pedal is pressed? http://technoanswers.blogspot.com/2012/01/car-only-starts-when-gas-pedal-is.html-----------Car won't start without hitting the gas pedal? http://schematicsdiagram.blogspot.com/2011/12/car-wont-start-without-hitting-gas.html
----------Complete loss of brake pedal then all gets normal? http://repairhelpcenter.blogspot.com/2012/01/complete-loss-of-brake-pedal-then-all.html
----------Car dies when gas pedal is pressed? http://schematicsdiagram.blogspot.com/2011/12/car-dies-when-gas-pedal-is-pressed.html
--------------Pushing on the gas pedal, but the car slows down? Gas pedal to the floor and the car slows down? http://technoanswers.blogspot.in/2012/02/pushing-on-gas-pedal-but-car-slows-down.html
-------------Idles rough and quits when gas pedal is pressed less? http://technoanswers.blogspot.in/2012/01/1999-ford-f-150-idles-rough-and-quits.html----------This will help.Thanks.

Hi
This sounds like a cold start system fault, which is a number of things.

1. Cold start temperature sensor not operating correctly so the cold start system won't work when the engine is cold.
2. The idle needs to be set to the correct RPM of the engine when warm, if it is idling ok when it is warm then this wont be the problem.
3. Spark Plugs are worn and need replacing.

Most case's its the cold start system not operating correctly and if you have a good workshop to take it too they should pick this up quite quickly. Hope this helps, let me know how you get on.

Try changing the fuel filter and get the glow plugs checked or replaced .Diesel goes a little waxey in colder weather making it harder to go through the filter .
Hope this helps.

Try to disconnect the Air Flow Meter. It is the first plug just before the air filter/air intake box. If this improves your situation you will need to source a new or aftermarket Air Flow Meter.

i think the dist is adjable try advanceing it some times the after market caps are a little diffront

problem like this on garden tractor ,was weak coil ,-when engine at low manifold pressure[idle] spark could jump gap and fire cylinder ,higher pressure /under load-wouldn't fire...check color of spark -orange,yellow ,white spark=weak, blue spark is stronge,