HELP!

[Raydi]

I have this intermittent problem on my E36 but the rainy weather over the last few days has seen this problem occurring a bit more often.

When I try to move off from a stationary position, I find the car not moving at all despite ramming down the accelerator. I find the RPM needle having difficulty to climb beyond 2000 rpm. All the while the engine is running. Just that the car does not move an inch. But a few minutes later, the car will move as per normal.

There have been instances also where after moving from a stationary position say in 2nd gear, when pressing the accelerator, the car just refuses to move or accelerate. Again, pulling to the side and ramming the accelerator a few times to get the RPM needle up beyond 3K rpm, the car moves. It would appear that there may be some blockage somewhere along the line after pressing the accelerator. But after that, the car moves as per normal at cruising speed.

Now, I have changed the following in the last 6 months:
1. air control valve (the butterfly valve)
2. new spark plugs (part of the regular maintenance regime)
3. fuel filter
4. ignition cables

I have also done a top overhaul when I first got my ride 18 months back. Could it be that some water may have seeped into the petrol tank? I don't think so.

According to Bro Erselle71, he thinks it is a compression problem with one of the valves. I raised this issue with my regular mechanic and another and both think this is not the problem. How much does it cost to do this compression test and where? And the best part is when I am at the mechanic, the problem does not show up!

Can any of the brothers and sifus here shed some light and offer a diagnosis/solution? I am going for my 10000km servicing and hope to get this issue solved.

[sszone]

any jerking when the car finally manage to move off?

[iScoupe]

check if water slip into ur ECU...

[jawzsg]

Looks like you got a wet ECU problem. When this occur, the system falls into safe mode and keep the rpm below 2500 (i.e. closed loop) and may retard your transmission. To confirm this, if you encounter it again, drive into a shelter car park, stop the car and open your engine hood to air the engine for about 15 ~ 30 minutes. If the car functions as normal after that, get your ECU unit check and replace the cover seal.

If this is not the case, then you may want to check your auto tranny.

[Herman]

wow. serious problem bro.
imagine this kind of shit happens when ur on the highway....
ur buttock sure pain.

better get it fixed soon bro.

good luck!

[iScoupe]

Originally Posted by Herman

wow. serious problem bro.
imagine this kind of shit happens when ur on the highway....
ur buttock sure pain.

better get it fixed soon bro.

good luck!

Herman it happened to me ! lucky manual gear... here my story...

Last year, when i park below a kopi shop with the shelter pouring heavy water directly on ECU area, water got into ECU box, I drive half way, engine stall in CTE heavy traffic but manage to free gear roll my car to the side. After stopping for 10mins, still with heavy rain , I re-start the engines, only can rev till 2500rpm.. i jerk my car all the way to BVO with only 3rd gear maximum. Ah Wee took out the ECU, guess wat! only few drop of water tat cause the short circuit, hence blow dry, wrap with plastic bag, cover back & every thing back to normal till today.
It happen becos the down pour was so heavy & hard directly onto the "wrong"place. Is not wear & tear, is the design of the ECU placement, too near the bonnet opening & is vertical, water easily can go in if heavy enough, So it could be tat u having the similar problem when u washing car, rain etc. Ur ECU box maybe old liao. I spray gun car wash also no problem except tat kopi shop shelter "waterfall" effect !

[phil]

so morale of the story, dont pressure wash your engine bay. ECU placement these days are prone to be killed in the engine bay whilst washing.

[iScoupe]

Originally Posted by phil

so morale of the story, dont pressure wash your engine bay. ECU placement these days are prone to be killed in the engine bay whilst washing.

ya bro u are absolutely right, dun try that in ur shower too, esp. from the back !
i guarantee it will bleed...

[phil]

errr, dunno about you, but i never take my ECU into the shower with me, i dun love my car like you do Jackie

[Raydi]

Thanks to all the bros for your replies.

My ride is a manual 1.6. Car does not jerk at all, just refuses to move when the accelerator is pressed.

I hope to isolate and eliminate the wet ECU as being the cause.

iScoupe, am I correct to think that you are now driving with a plastic bag covered ECU box? Jawzsg, where can I get a cover seal for the ECU box?

Hope that this is the reason for the problem.