E36 engine dies when off the AC

[anxious]

After months of stress free enjoyment of my E36, I seem to be hitting a bad streak. Yesterday I had the fuel leak. Today I face the problem of my engine dying off when I turn off the AC. I start the car and it starts pretty much ok. I on the AC, still ok. I drive around, ok. Then when I stop the car and turn off the AC my engine died. It happened a few times. When I tried a few minutes later Start, On AC, Off AC,.....idle fluctuates and almost dies. Anyone experience this?

 

[anxious]

Drove to work today. After I parked the car I turned off the AC b4 switching off the ignition.

When I turned off the AC the rev when down but the engine didnt die. I'll keep monitoring it.

 

[5115]

will it be ICV?did u tried turn off AC during cruising?or turn off AC during average speed without throttle ur car?

 

[Lee36328]

Sounds like an electrical issue.

Alternator, battery, those are the places I would check first.

 

[chaiks]

will it be ICV?did u tried turn off AC during cruising?or turn off AC during average speed without throttle ur car?

That's very dangerous! Better get professional to check for electrical problem first like what Lee suggested.

 

[astroboy]

will it be ICV?did u tried turn off AC during cruising?or turn off AC during average speed without throttle ur car?

Yes, Idle Control Valve..

Some write up here:

1. http://member.telpacific.com.au/btaylor/BMWText/technical/IdleControlValve.html

2. http://www.bmwe36blog.com/2007/06/23/cleaning-e36-icv-idle-control-valve-diy/

 

[Russie]

Anxious,

I face quite a similar problem. There were times when I started my car with the air-cond OFF, the car was shaking, as though the engine wanted to die off (really low idling) and when I switched on the air-cond, I noticed the idling went up to about 700rpm, thus stabilising the idling.

Like what some suggested here, it could be the ICV. My ICV has a hairline crack and I was told it would affect the idling. Not sure how much is a new ICV or one from chop shop but I believe the matter is still manageable for now. K

Keep us posted on your latest outcomes.

Cheers

 

[anxious]

Thanks for ur replies guys. It is really comforting to share my heartache with people who understand the occasional pain asociated with this passion of ours.

Sometimes when things like this(esp the fuel leak) happen, it put a real damper on my enthusiasm.I feel tired even thinking abt whatelse can go wrong with a 12 yr old car.The fuel hose leak was totally unexpected.Just the day before the car was driving so well and I was so happy with the car.

Anyway, now the car seems to hv recovered somehow and the car only has a very slight drop in RPM when i switch off the A/C which is normal I think. The car does die off anymore. Hopefully I am spared any more agony until I recover my confidence.

Cheers

 

[5115]

banyak makan wang huh?hehe...enjoy~

 

[leforte]

check you ICV hose thats connected to it. it might be cracked or loose causing a vacumn leajk

 

[mixdoll]

Try check the fuse

 

[Russie]

Moderator, please remove those spams. Aiya, very sad to see spams here.

Anyway back to the topic, I noticed the low idling is during cold start. Today parked my car outside the house whole day and it was raining. When I stated the car, the aircond was off and the idling was rough (at about 400-500rpm) as though the engine wanna die off. When I turned on the aircond, the idling went up to 800rpm again.

Some of you guys here suggested the ICV hose, I will get them checked soon. Just in case, anyone know how much a new ICV for E36 M43 cost?

Thanks

 

[betty boop]

Thank you for notifying. The spamming messages have been removed.

 

[absidian]

Anyway, now the car seems to hv recovered somehow and the car only has a very slight drop in RPM when i switch off the A/C which is normal I think. The car does die off anymore. Hopefully I am spared any more agony until I recover my confidence.

Cheers

IF (maybe) the workshop disconnected your battery the day before then your car's ecu was effectively reset. After a day it will re-learn and and idle properly.

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