Cold Start Problem 318is - Video Inside!

[Rekin]

Hello all,

My old man is having problems starting his car in the morning (after sitting overnight) - E36 BMW 318IS 1997
It cranks and spluttes and stalls a couple of times, the more starts the better and better it gets. Once its fired up, it idles quite high at around 1600rpm+ and then eventually drops back down to 800rpm after driving.

For the rest of the day, the car starts perfectly! Its only on the first time of the day where it struggles like in the video.

What I noticed is that the black box, is making a loud ticking/motor sound when in ignition? Should that be making such noises? Im assuming its the TPS or IACV? Anyone know where they both are, so I can pull off and give them a clean?

Any chance its fuel pump related?

Thanks for the help!

[Black5]

Wild guess - Crank sensor?

[Mr ///M3]

Could be a host of things. Too hard to determine based on a short video. Did you visit a BMW mechanic ?

[johna]

If the problem happens only on cold start then I don't think it is likely to be TPS or ICV. The ICV is under the inlet manifold and the TPS is the black sensor to the left of the black box in the centre of your video.

Does the loud noise from the black box go away with the problem or does it continue? If when the engine is running fine it is still noisy then maybe it doesn't have anything to do with the problem.

Before you seek expert help it may be worth cleaning the ICV and throttle butterfly, and check all the rubber air hoses for cracks or poor fit due to hardening.

[Rekin]

Thanks for all the help. Been to a couple of regular mechanics who have blamed it on sparkplugs but they have been replaced and still same problem! Willing to pay to get it finally fixed as all the mechanics we've been to havent solved it...

Would like to eliminate some options as im guessing a bmw specialisist aint going to be cheap!

Any other opinions would be greatly appreciated!

Thanks

[Mr ///M3]

Thanks for all the help. Been to a couple of regular mechanics who have blamed it on sparkplugs but they have been replaced and still same problem! Willing to pay to get it finally fixed as all the mechanics we've been to havent solved it...

Would like to eliminate some options as im guessing a bmw specialisist aint going to be cheap!

Any other opinions would be greatly appreciated



Thanks

Don't be afraid of BMW specialist. Run of the mill guys will only take pot shots at it and will cost you more. As long as don't take to a BMW Stealership, you'll be fine. Stop wasting your money and time. There are many reputable European workshops around that will nut it out fairly quickly. Its not a Ferrari.