HELP!! I know it's a strange question!
 

Hi everyone
I know some of you would think of it as weired question, but i'll give it a shot.

Can someone help me and tell me if he/she knows of a site similar to this but for BMW cars?

I have a car that has the following problem, it's a 1992 European BMW 320. The car has the following symptoms:
1) When I start the car, the RPM alternates up and down.
2) If I step on the gas after startup, the RPM goes ok, but if I stop stepping on the gas, the car switches off.

A mechanic told me that there's a piece that needs replacement, I don't know its name, but it controls the amount of air going to the engine. This piece is somewhere between the air filter and the compulsion chamber and has a power cable attached to it to feed a small electrical circuit.

So, anyone has an idea what might causing the problem? And what is the name of the piece I described?

Many thanks
PS: didn't I mention from the beginning it's a strange question
:(

Sounds like a bad idle speed controller. It's a stepper motor that cycles a valve to allow just the right amount of air at idle. When it gets tired and worn, it can't cycle fast enough or within a tight enough translation so you get a noticeable oscillation in idle speed.

Sixto
91 300SE
87 300SDL
83 300SD

Thanks for your reply.
Can you please tell me the exact name of this piece so that when i Walk to the spare parts shop I know what i'm asking for :)

Do you have an idea how this piece cost? and is it what i described in my previous e-mail?
Many thanks

I checked the FastLane link in the header of this message. There is no 1992 320 in the US so I referenced a 1992 318 (E36/M42). A Bosch idle control valve is discounted to US$117. For a 1992 325i (E36/M50) the equivalent part is discounted to US$92.

I don't know much about BMWs. I'm just telling you what's obvious to an average enthusiast based on your descriptions.

Sixto
91 300SE
87 300SDL
83 300SD

Many thanks for your help
But do you have a picture for this idle control valve? I would like to make sure it's what i'm talking about.
Also, are there any other symptoms for a bad idle control valve?
MANY MANY THANKS

There are images of the device in FastLane. Just click the FastLane button at the top of this page.

I don't know what the other symptoms might be.

Sixto
91 300SE
87 300SDL
83 300SD