When I'm sitting in the car at a stop and I roll up or down my power windows all the way the revs on the car drop from 700 to 500 for a split second. I don't think it's a fluke. I've done it often enough to see the revs drop when I use the windows. The same thing happenned yesterday when I used my power locks button beside the shifter. Whenever I pressed it to lock or unlock the doors, the revs would drop for a split second. It's really starting to bother me.

How are these two things related with the car's idle?

In general the idle has been acting funny lately. When I'm coming to a stop the revs will also drop from 700 to 500 rpm. This doesn't happen all the time.

The car is a 97 318i w/auto. 32000km. I had my first inspection 1 done in November of 01. The only work done on the car has been regular maintenance(touch wood).

The battery and plugs are the originals from the factory if that means anything.

If anyone has any ideas, please let me know. I don't want to go to my dealer until I have something to go on.

Thanks.:)

see all of those have in common the fact that you start some electrical balast ....

more specific ... rolling up the windows eats up power, stopping to a light means you press the brakes and this in turn results in turning on the brake lights etc etc

what happens when you turn on the headlights ? not the same thing ?
if yes then it is the alternator ...

my 2c.

bimmerforce, thank you for the reply, I appreciate your insight.

I was thinking something electrical. But, when I turn on the lights it doesn't happen. And when I turn on my blower with or without the AC, the idle doesn't doesn't do anything funny. That's why I'm kinda confused. You'd think the lights or AC would really suck alot of energy out of the battery, more so than the windows or door locks.

I dunno. I'll keep my eye on it. Not really sure what to make of it.