Check Engine Light.

155

Asked by Coy325i Nov 03, 2013 at 02:33 PM about the 1989 BMW 3 Series 325i Sedan RWD

Question type: Maintenance & Repair

My 1989 325i convertible runs great but idles a little rough. I am planning to replace the injectors; I've been looking at newer Bosch injectors for Mustangs. Is that a good idea?

More to the point though; today I topped off the oil and forgot to put the filler cap back on.  When I stopped at a light the Check Engine light came on and it idle rougher than normal. When I stopped I was lucky enough to find the oil cap. I put it back on and the light never came back on.

Can anyone explain why it would act like that, and can I use that information to improve the idle in normal situations rather than replacing injectors?

3 Answers

155

I cleaned the throttle body and MAF sensor. That didn't work. I replaced the injectors... no help. Mechanic checked ignition on a scope and everything is good. It runs very strong and very smooth. It just has a tiny miss when it's idling that his sensor doesn't even register, but that he and I are both feeling (more so when it's in gear). Any ideas?

155

I cleaned the MAF, and throttle body and tested the idle control valve. My mechanic smoke tested the vacuum lines, and I have no leaks; he tested the MAF, the fuel pressure regulator, and heat sensor and re-tested the ICV. He said the hoses are new and the injection components all fall within a very acceptable range. I did go ahead and replace the injectors with mustang 19# injectors because I read that you could do that without changing the chip. It runs great! But it still misses at idle exactly like it did before. Not a lot; it doesn't even move the tach needle. It's just doesn't fire every once in a while and then the next revolution the cylinder's flooded and it kind of thumps. When you give it gas it feels a little sluggish, but if you put your foot in it, it kind of clears out. Do you think I need an advanced chip with the new injectors? I don't really want to start down the road to custom fuel injection... I was trying to just get the idle smoothed out.

Your Answer:

3 Series

Looking for a Used 3 Series in your area?

CarGurus has 1,176 nationwide 3 Series listings starting at $1,995.

Postal Code:

CarGurus Experts

  • #1
    Robert Charlson
    Reputation
    3,950
  • #2
    apbimmer98
    Reputation
    3,100
  • #3
    Abu Luca
    Reputation
    2,980
View All

Find great deals from top-rated dealers

Search

Related Models For Sale

Used BMW 5 Series
19 Great Deals out of 321 listings starting at $4,500
Used BMW M3
8 Great Deals out of 90 listings starting at $15,995
Used BMW M5
56 listings starting at $26,800
Used Ford Mustang
65 Great Deals out of 1,259 listings starting at $4,995
Used Chevrolet Corvette
29 Great Deals out of 1,060 listings starting at $15,871

Content submitted by Users is not endorsed by CarGurus, does not express the opinions of CarGurus, and should not be considered reviewed, screened, or approved by CarGurus. Please refer to CarGurus Terms of Use. Content will be removed if CarGurus becomes aware that it violates our policies.