Hi I am new to the forum. I just purchased an 04 330i w performance pkge. nav alcantera etc 6 speed. The problem I am having has happened twice in the 2 weeks Ive had the car and Im trying to gauge how serious it is. When Im in neutral the rpms will blip randomly and it causes slight vibration in the car as the needle drops from high to low. The car has cut off twice so far which to me shouldnt happen. My last car was an acura integra that gave me not one single problem in the 7 years I owned it. Im hoping someone can give me some idea of what is going on here. Appreciate your comments.

Might wanna check if the camshaft sensor is out. Thats pretty comon on the M54 motor.

It could also be the early symptoms of old spark plugs, air filter and/or fuel filter...

Mine has done the EXACT same thing (and i have pretty much the exact same car as you)... it shudders as if it's about to stall.. if you slightly press the gas it's okay... and yes it stalled on me once or twice... a very quiet stall.. just kinda stops.. didn't even realize it once..

i took it to the dealer for inspection - they ran a test and said the car had detected water in the fuel lines - and thought that maybe i had 'bad' gas.. though, it's done it randomly - and use lots of different stations...

sorry, not much help, just letting ya know you're not alone.. if you find out what the problem is please let me know...

definately could be a cam sensor issue. does the engine light come on?

I noticed this exact same issue today for the first time on my '01 330ci. I just wrote it off to the fact that it was 80 degrees and I was running the A/C for the first time since fall, but now you've got me wondering...

Appreciate the comments. Sorry didnt reply earlier took the car 500 miles away on a ski trip and everything went alright although it stalled again tonight. Im going to take it to global imports here in atlanta this week and see what they can come up with. Ill post what I find out.

And as far as the engine light coming on Im pretty sure it doesnt. I think all the lights come on as though you have turned the key halfway to start the car if I remember correctly but definetly not just the engine light.

04' your car might still be under warranty or maybe CPO check it out might save you some cash/headache.

My 04 ZHP does the same thing (hasn't stalled though, the engine just stumbles momentarily and then recovers). Also, the idle's not very smooth (how smoothly do these cars idle?) I haven't figured out what it is, though. Unfortunately, it's intermittent (several times a week) and it's definitely not fuel type-dependent. Initially I thought I had those lousy Bremi ignition coils but the car was inspected for them at the dealer and I was told I don't have them.

So what is it?

- Kofi

My 04 ZHP does the same thing (hasn't stalled though, the engine just stumbles momentarily and then recovers). Also, the idle's not very smooth (how smoothly do these cars idle?) I haven't figured out what it is, though. Unfortunately, it's intermittent (several times a week) and it's definitely not fuel type-dependent. Initially I thought I had those lousy Bremi ignition coils but the car was inspected for them at the dealer and I was told I don't have them.

So what is it?

- Kofi


Same problem here with an 03 ZHP. Two weeks ago it would simply not idle when coming to a stop light without eventually stalling. It has done this off and on for the past two years, but that particular day it was crazy. It will idle ok for a few seconds, and then it will lightly rev up 1-200 rpm, bounce lower and then stall. The car is at the dealer today for the issue, but of course it is idling reasonably ok now.

I'm not trying to be a post-whore but I wanted to update anyone with auto-notify that I made a DIY for the ICV.

http://forums.bimmerforums.com/forum/showthread.php?t=900798

vacuum lines?

Gweedospeedo hit the nail on the head: Idle Air Control Valve is sticking/gunked up. Having chased this down on one of my Nissans...I can tell you it is maddening until you find and fix the problem.

Gweedospeedo hit the nail on the head: Idle Air Control Valve is sticking/gunked up. Having chased this down on one of my Nissans...I can tell you it is maddening until you find and fix the problem.

Funny you mentioned that. My Nissan is in the shop for exactly this problem.

i 2nd the ICV comment. check it out.

how many miles on your car? any warranty?

real quick im finding out the exact same problem, im noticing it on my 2000 328i and it only occures on cold morning start ups, the dealer said carbon build up from sitting but the way i drive... impossible... they told me to use there fuel treaters i think there trying to rape my ass so never did it...

does this only occure in the morning for you like when the temp needle is in the blue?

Im not sure if these problems are the same but we are in kinda cool weather here in nc and in the evening, i started my 99 328i and it vibrates all thru the rev range, engine light comes on and loss of power. 156k miles , auto and taken care of. Ideas anyone?

Casper...you in olympia?

i took mine into the dealer for the same problem, they installed the most recent engine management software, and its been fine since.

I just put a new tank of 89 in it. Possibility?

My '04 says 91 octane or above, not sure about your year, do you normally use 89?

Also I have a m/t myself, but I know that the auto's can check your codes on the dash display, or pull the codes at your local Autozone.