My car is driving me crazy...help

[325crazyy]

Well im new to the forums and they've been really usefull.
My problem is my 94 325i which has a rough idle i cant seem to fix
i have changed the fuel filter,cleaned o2 sensor,and maf with qd electronic cleaner,also cleaned the icv.
any suggestions please, my car goes from 1000 rpms to 800 then back to 1200.When this happens the check engine flashes on.
also i did the step on pedal to get the codes trick and get 1215 which is "Air Mass/Volume Sensor" do i have to replace the maf or maybe a vacuum leak?

[3Twampus8]

Originally Posted by 325crazyy

Well im new to the forums and they've been really usefull.
My problem is my 94 325i which has a rough idle i cant seem to fix
i have changed the fuel filter,cleaned o2 sensor,and maf with qd electronic cleaner,also cleaned the icv.
any suggestions please, my car goes from 1000 rpms to 800 then back to 1200.
also i did the step on pedal to get the codes trick and get 1215 which is "Air Mass/Volume Sensor" do i have to replace the maf or maybe a vacuum leak?

I'd recommended that you get a tune up. If your spark plugs are bad they can cause a rough idle. Make sure that the intake is also on correctly as if it's loose at all it'll cause a rough idle. I am not sure about cleaning your maf with electronic cleaner, but I actually buy MAF cleaner and it works pretty good.

[DSobes]

Is it rough when you accelerate too or just at idle?

[325crazyy]

the car just does that during idle on a normal drive its perfect
thanks for the replys ill try to clean my maf with maf cleaner ^^

[mzender]

I cleaned my MAF with throttle body cleaner and that worked good but I'd recommend using MAF cleaner just to be safe(CRC throttle body and intake cleaner says not to use on MAF sensor but many people have used worse methods without problems". If that doesn't help try to switch it out with a different one if possibly and see if that works.

[BMWMPow3r]

you could spray some carb cleaner in suspect leaks, if the idle changes more, then you found a leak.

[E36Lindberg]

ok 325i I know what your problem is... its your Idle control valve... Located under your intake manifold, to get to it you are proboly going to have to take your manifold off, unless u have itty bitty midget hands here is a link to the DIY..

http://forums.bimmerforums.com/forum...d.php?t=454501

[325crazyy]

thanks alot BMWMPow3r i use the carb cleaner and found a leak in the icv to the intake manifold hose

[mzender]

Originally Posted by E36Lindberg

ok 325i I know what your problem is... its your Idle control valve... Located under your intake manifold, to get to it you are proboly going to have to take your manifold off, unless u have itty bitty midget hands here is a link to the DIY..

http://forums.bimmerforums.com/forum...d.php?t=454501

Only reason you need itty bitty hands is if A.You have no patience. B.You have horrible turrets syndrome. Or C.You complain too much. I just cleaned my ICV the other day, yeah it took some time and finagling to slip it out but my step by step instruction are: remove alternator duct, pull hose to ICV off intake elbow, reach left hand up/under intake manifold and pull other hose to ICV off manifold, unplug harness by pushing wire in and pulling, pull ICV with hoses attached out the way the intake elbow hose is routed(where the patience comes into play) twisting/rotating/turning little bits constantly and it slides right out. After cleaning with cleaner of choice/toothbrush/and q-tips, reinstall in reverse of removal(goes in much easier than came out for some reason.