1986 BMW 325es - IDLE IS ROUGH UPON START

Avatar
ANDREWOMAN
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
AND needs to warm up for at least a few minutes or it will die. As it warms I need to tap the gas peddle to remind it not to fall back to sleep. If I "force" it to run sooner, by gassing it more, it will run but hesitate and require more gas than normal. It is an automatic 6 cyl & 229,000 miles. I bought the car recently and the car started without even pumping the gas; however, I managed to leave the hazards on one night and the battery required a jump. Since then the start requires gas for a about 5 seconds before it starts. The warming up issue has been present before and after the battery fiasco. The previous owner replaced the fuel filter and air filter.
Thank you :) :)
Jul 14, 2007 at 2:27 PM
Avatar
DOCHAGERTY
  • ✓Experienced Mechanic
  • 9,606 POSTS
sounds like the cold start system isn't working.it might be the thermal time switch on the thermostat housing.repost if more information is needed
Jul 21, 2007 at 9:44 AM
Avatar
ANDREWOMAN
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
[quote:08f90cd85f="Dr. Hagerty"]sounds like the cold start system isn't working.it might be the thermal time switch on the thermostat housing.repost if more information is needed[/quote:08f90cd85f]

Interestingly, I was wondering if the overheating was related to this dysfunction. Just yesterday I had a VERY fried thermostat replaced, yet it still overheats after about 15-20 minutes of city driving, in the daytime here in Phoenix.

Is the thermal time switch part of the cold start system? And does the fact that it overheats play into the diagnosis of how it starts up? Actually, I tried to add the overheat issue to the last post but, just browsing at the "Add a Smiley" sent my post before I was finished with my questions.

Thank you for your response!
Jul 21, 2007 at 11:05 AM
Avatar
DOCHAGERTY
  • ✓Experienced Mechanic
  • 9,606 POSTS
address the overheating issues first and then go after the cold start problem.if the overheating issue is a bad radiator(my best guess)there will be cold spots in the radiator.may need a new radiator.
Jul 22, 2007 at 9:11 AM
Add a reply
Join 2CarPros for free, one of the most advanced car repair communities on the internet. From first-time drivers to seasoned mechanics, everyone is welcome to reply, share details, and get better answers. You can add a temporary image or video first; uploads are limited to 20 MB.

Frequently Asked Problems for This Vehicle