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Old 08-25-2017, 10:06 PM   #1
3LOU5
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Anyone know what causes this ??

It seems that every time (well, not EVERY time, but about 50% of the time) my E46 sits in the garage for more than two weeks and I start it, it runs rough. When I apply power, there isn't any, and the CEL comes on.

I'll pull off to the side of the road, shut it off and wait a minute or so. Then, I'll start it and everything is back to normal: no CEL and runs smooth as silk.

I'm thinking it could be a idle control valve issue. I haven't cleaned the ICV in quite a while.

Anybody else have any other ideas/suggestions ??
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Old 08-25-2017, 10:08 PM   #2
rumatt
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Whoa. Bizarre. Not among any of the things I've seen.

I'm sure JV will have some thoughts
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Old 08-25-2017, 10:13 PM   #3
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Quote:
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Whoa. Bizarre. Not among any of the things I've seen.

I'm sure JV will have some thoughts
Right ?? It IS bizarre.

Guess that is why I try to drive it as much as I can. Kind of a no-brainer, since my other driving option is a gas-guzzling behemoth that is my Silverado that handles like a pig in a mud bath....
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2018 Can-Am Spyder RT Limited - hers
2007 Harley-Davidson Sportster XL883 Low (Pearl White) - hers (SOLD 02/29/20)
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Old 08-25-2017, 10:18 PM   #4
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Pig in a mud bath. Lol
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Old 08-25-2017, 11:51 PM   #5
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Have you taken it anywhere to see if there are stored codes? If the CEL is coming on, I have to think there will be something useful.
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Old 08-26-2017, 12:15 AM   #6
3LOU5
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Quote:
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Have you taken it anywhere to see if there are stored codes? If the CEL is coming on, I have to think there will be something useful.
No, I haven't. If the CEL was back on after the restart, I would've hooked up my code reader and see what codes were stored.

Guess I'll hook it up tomorrow and see what happens....

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2016 Toyota Sienna SE - hers
2002 BMW 325i - his
1994 Chevrolet Silverado K1500 Sportside Z71 - whoevers vehicle is in the shop
2009 Harley-Davidson Sportster XL883 Low (Vivid Black) - his
2018 Can-Am Spyder RT Limited - hers
2007 Harley-Davidson Sportster XL883 Low (Pearl White) - hers (SOLD 02/29/20)
2011 Tao Tao 50 - whoevers bike is in the shop
2007 Reinell 186 FNS - the dog's
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Old 08-26-2017, 07:26 AM   #7
John V
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Anytime the CEL comes on, there will be a stored code.

My guess is that the battery voltage is getting low during the long downtime and it's causing the DME to wig out. These cars are very sensitive to battery voltage. How old is the battery?
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Old 08-26-2017, 12:20 PM   #8
3LOU5
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Quote:
Originally Posted by John V View Post
Anytime the CEL comes on, there will be a stored code.

My guess is that the battery voltage is getting low during the long downtime and it's causing the DME to wig out. These cars are very sensitive to battery voltage. How old is the battery?
Not sure. I'm guessing 3-4 years.

Just woke up, gonna connect my reader in a few and report results.
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2016 Toyota Sienna SE - hers
2002 BMW 325i - his
1994 Chevrolet Silverado K1500 Sportside Z71 - whoevers vehicle is in the shop
2009 Harley-Davidson Sportster XL883 Low (Vivid Black) - his
2018 Can-Am Spyder RT Limited - hers
2007 Harley-Davidson Sportster XL883 Low (Pearl White) - hers (SOLD 02/29/20)
2011 Tao Tao 50 - whoevers bike is in the shop
2007 Reinell 186 FNS - the dog's
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Old 08-26-2017, 06:29 PM   #9
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Connected my INNOVA 3100 code reader and didn't pull up any codes.

I'm wondering if I need a BMW-specific code reader....
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2016 Toyota Sienna SE - hers
2002 BMW 325i - his
1994 Chevrolet Silverado K1500 Sportside Z71 - whoevers vehicle is in the shop
2009 Harley-Davidson Sportster XL883 Low (Vivid Black) - his
2018 Can-Am Spyder RT Limited - hers
2007 Harley-Davidson Sportster XL883 Low (Pearl White) - hers (SOLD 02/29/20)
2011 Tao Tao 50 - whoevers bike is in the shop
2007 Reinell 186 FNS - the dog's
1995 Fleetwood Flair 27R - EVERYBODY'S !
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