E36 auto shut down

[beemer04]

Hi all, wish to seek advise my e36 suddenly engine dies off intermittently while turning. While it do not happen often it does happen once in a blue moon, my wife did encounter it but I encounter it a few days back.No problem of restarting, but I do noticed that the idling seems a lil unstable for a few seconds before it shuts down.Sent it to mechanic they could not diagnose the problem as the car seems find but they suggest to service the MAF.I have not done anything yet but wish to seek sifus expert advice on the do next.ThanksE36/320i/6 1994 vanos

 

[jarance]

You may have a leak in the vacuum system.

check all the vacuum hoses first.

clean the MAF or AFM as well.

Might consider to change the crankshaft sensors as well.

 

[V-Man]

ICV-Idle Control Valve also could be a culprit besides the ones mentioned by Jarance.

Something similar on E46 318i >> http://www.bmwclubmalaysia.com/forums/showthread.php?26093-Engine-rpm-not-stable

 

[beemer04]

Wow my only worry is that how to know and do we need to plug in the modic to check or just replaced it? I hope there's a better way to evaluate rather than replace it?

The prob is that the car seems fine when check at the workshop and would the medic be able to assess?

 

[jarance]

alarm are stored in the memory. They are only cleared when you used a diagnostic to reset it.

 

[jiraiye]

Same thing happened to me previously, turn out one of the fuel pumps was dead. The problem maybe somewhere along the fuel feed system (fuel pressure regulator) or as mentioned by other bros, your vacuum system or MAF faulty.

 

[beemer04]

Mine is the crankshaft sensor, so claimed by mechanic

 

[givenz]

timing sensor for me. car just died off like complete shutdown. If its one of the sensors issue the damage wont be high. Usually for Idling Valve you will face issue when your car is idle and it changes when u switch your air-cond on and off. Hope this help for your problem.