car stalling problem

[bignate]

Sometimes my car stalls when the engine is cold. I'll stop at a light or stop sign and it will just die unless I keep my foot on the accelerator. It happens much more frequently when it is cold outside. Does anyone know what is causing this and how to fix it?
Thanks

 

[Ben]

i think it might be the thermostat......... anyone else?

 

[Tom]

A thermostat might help, but then you might run into cooling problems during the summer. Do you normally let your engine warm up a bit before driving?

 

[bignate]

If I do it works fine, but when I am running late for school or work I don't like to sit in my driveway for five minutes.

 

[Ben]

well sometimes thats just what you will have to do. i know it pisses me off too......

 

[Mpower]

the everlasting stall

i had the same problem i have a 1988 325ix with the m20 325is motor and what was wrong was simply , a clogged fuel system i replaced my fuel filter 7$ canadian and i bought a bottle of techron injector cleaner and put 94 octane gas if it happens all the time then switch to mid grade gas some engines dont like certain types of gas during certain seasons so that fixed my little dilema oh and another thing u can do is take out ur air box and clean the mass air sensor with some carb cleanor or solvent that helps to.

 

[rjp325i]

If you have a Motronic 1.1 system you should check the trouble codes stored in the system first. If you have the 1.0 system no codes are stored. One input to be checked is the coolant temp sensor including the wiring connection to it. It sounds like a too lean mixture when cold.

 

[mrferg]

Whoopdee doo! My car started doing this today too! Any cheap fixes? Fuel filter sounds nice...

 

[mrferg]

Well I replaced my fuel filter, and that was a no go. I am running low on gas, but I've had less in my tank and it still worked. Any ideas would seriously be appreciated, it stalls when I slow to a stop, right after I push the clutch in to stop.

Could this be it, cause I do have an erradic idle. I don't really want to spend a fortune on this...http://www.digest.net/bmw/archive/v9/msg00709.html

 

[xLibelle]

Like rjp said, get codes from the motronic controller. I forget how many times you hit the brake in ignition on position.

but stalling when cold engine is because if bad fuel system, bad vacuum system, bad idle air stabilizer, bad coolant temp sensor, or/and a bad gasket.

fuel:
1. check that the pump is at spec or within tolerance.
2. test injectors and replace injector seals while you are at it.

vacuum:
make sure there are no leaks between the AFM and engine

idle stabilizer:
make sure valve moves freely, there are 40 ohm and 20 ohm values on the three pins ....that should be enough to make sure its ok.

temp sender:
2.1k-2.9k ohm @ 68 f

your cold start (different from idle control) valve could be bad. gotta unbolt that and test its flow rate. the electrical system for it could be bad.

damn, you guys should purchase a manual

 

[mrferg]

Well I flushed out my ICV with carb cleaner, it seems to work well (for now). I also tackled the AC removal I had planned for a while, all in all this has been a very productive day.