E36 M43 - what went wrong?

[Russie]

The following happened this afternoon:Was driving on NPE from Sunway heading back to KL and felt the car was underpowered and reluctant to increase its speed. Then when the car reached the 2nd toll, slowed down to pay toll and when passing the toll gate, the car's idling was very rough and engine shut down. Restarted the car and continued the journey until I came to a traffic jam. As I slowed down the car, the idling was rough again and the car engine shut down again. Had to restart the car and I noticed some smoke coming out from the exhaust pipe (and I got some cars behind honking me of coz). Then suddenly the rpm went stable again as though nothing happened. Drove it back to KL with no problem.I stopped at some place to do some work and upon leaving, I turned the ignition on and saw the transmission light (yellow round icon with ! in the middle) did not go off. Realising something could have gone wrong, I called my mechanic and told him what happened earlier. He said could be due to faulty AFM and some rubber hoses leaking. As I started the car, again the idling was rough and the engine shut down a few times. Finally got the car started but the transmission light was on all the time. Had no choice but to slowly limp back to my house. Along the journey, the gear change was not smooth as I got a loud "klonk" sound when I increased the speed. So had no choice but to drive very slowly back to home. When I engaged the reverse gear, the rpm was also rough. Once I got the car parked inside the house, I shut down the engine and restarted it again. This time, no more transmission light on...Will be sending in to mechanic to check tomorrow. But I wonder, what went wrong??? Any sifu to comment?

 

[anaksarawak]

When my vacuum hose broke .. my engine idle rough and cant accelerate plus it die with gear engaged. Just a cheap fix.. no worry

 

[Russie]

When my vacuum hose broke .. my engine idle rough and cant accelerate plus it die with gear engaged. Just a cheap fix.. no worry

Yeah it is cheap to replace broken vacuum hose but dunno if I can drive it all the way to Sunway to fix it?
I read some of the other threads, could be due to weak battery also? I had this car since Feb 07 and dunno when was the last time the previous owner changed the battery. Scary eh?

 

[infinityKL]

once enter limp mode(the ! lights come up)... gears will not change, you will be driving in lowest gear all the way.. ops sorry highest gear usually in 4th...

 

[Russie]

Yeah drive in high gear but low speed all the way. I sure hope it is not my gearbox faulty, I think it can't be coz the gear change has been silky smooth all this while. Anyway, will update you guys on what went wrong after the mechanic checks it

Thanks for the replies

 

[infinityKL]

can also be some sensors.. i dont think gearbox la..

anyway hope fr the best...

 

[BMW-E36318]

i think the problem is your air flow, because my car have a problem same as you, after i change the air flow, the car
is back to normal, please check air flow first and then check the other part, just opinion,

 

[Russie]

Thanks for the feedback. Well, yeah my AFM is not in perfect condition, coz I do get erratic idling some times. I will try to clean the AFM and see how it goes. The last time I checked, the ICV has a hairline crack too...dunno which is causing this problem.

 

[jarance]

M43 use MAF and not AFM if I am not mistaken

Check your vacuum hose. White smoke is too rich combustion.

 

[Russie]

M43 use MAF and not AFM if I am not mistaken

Check your vacuum hose. White smoke is too rich combustion.

Ok will get the mechanic to check the following today:-

1) MAF/ AFM
2) ICV
3) Transmission box
4) Battery
5) All vacuum hoses

Thanks & Cheers

 

[Russie]

Went to workshop this morning to check the car. The car had no problem at all, all the way from Setapak to Subang. No rough idling, no transmission indicator light on....everything was smooth.
The mechanic told me it is the AFM giving way soon. He checked all the vacuum hoses, all seem to be ok.
I was told that a brand new original Bosch AFM for E36 M43 costs approx. RM900++. Was advised to get a brand new rather than from chop shop. Chop shop selling around RM450++ no warranty somemore.

Therefore, I did not do anything pertaining to this matter. Just did my regular service maintenance. Items/ work done are as follows:-

1) Ravenol semi-synthetic engine oil 4 litre
2) Oil filter
3) Replaced the power steering fluid
4) Tightened up the steering rack as there was free play (now feels tighter)
5) Bought a can of Wurth fuel injector cleaner (not yet poured it in)

All in RM196.40

Anyone know where to get the Bosch AFM at reasonable price?

 

[elwine30]

sure its 900 plus. if yes,it cheap.

one of the best thing is to buy new afm for yr car

 

[jarance]

If your is the AFM, you might have a sticky vane. check out my thread in the DIY section on AFM servicing.

 

[Russie]

sure its 900 plus. if yes,it cheap.

one of the best thing is to buy new afm for yr car

I was told on that price. Maybe slightly higher? If around RM1200 also considered cheap.
Will check out with some BMW part dealers soon. I hope they dont have imitation parts for this

 

[Russie]

If your is the AFM, you might have a sticky vane. check out my thread in the DIY section on AFM servicing.

Yes, saw that thread b4...but I need to have time and the tools to do this. I am afraid do halfway, dunno what is what then will get into trouble
I will go thru your thread again and if any Qs i will ask u Jarance, thank u in advance

 

[jarance]

Yes, saw that thread b4...but I need to have time and the tools to do this. I am afraid do halfway, dunno what is what then will get into trouble
I will go thru your thread again and if any Qs i will ask u Jarance, thank u in advance

Just drop by my place one Sunday and you do the shooting and I do all the hard work.. Ha..ha..:listen:

 

[RCBL]

Hi Russie,

The last time I had a similiar problem (irratic idling and black smoke coming out of exhaust due to rich fuel mixture), remove the AFM cover that connects to the air filter, use a long stick to dislodge the sticky vane. Idling will be normal again and avoid flooring the accelerator. This is a short fix only but looks like you need to replace the AFM.

 

[evilnickwong]

If it's a AFM that's starting to show age, it's pretty much the same as my E36 where after opening the throttle a certain amount, usually after 3500-4000rpm, the flap in the AFM will stick and won't close fully, so the next time the car slows down for traffic light or something, the engine will choke and die.

But RM900 sounds like a good price for a brand new unit. Last time I thought I remember it was almost 1.5k, that's why never ever changed it, just do frequent cleaning and lubricating.

 

[jarance]

RM900 is for recon trade-in. You have to give your old one to the shop. He will repair it and sell it to the next person.

RM1500 is for a brand new one from spare part shop.

Sticky vane can be rectified. there is no need for constant cleaning and lubrication.

I have service my AFM and it have last about 3 years.

see picture below for sticky vane.

 

[evilnickwong]

Oh you removed the black top? Isn't it sealed or something?
And once removed, what do you do with the part you circled?

Altho, it looks like that part only contacts the flap in the closed position.. my flap tends to stick at the half open position.