Intermittent Stuttering Issue

SR|RED · 11-16-2010, 03:52 AM

Occasionally my car experiences a strange issue that will go away when I restart the car.

E90 325i - MT

Symptoms:
Happens more often during cold weather/cold starts.

I will engage first gear as you normally would, but I experience shuddering as if it was a newbie learning to drive stick engaging the clutch too quickly. It almost stalls but will keep going.

There is a considerable loss of power when I experience this. Once I'm in gear and rolling along the car feels well enough, but when I put my foot down there is a noticeable loss of power. I can't verify this, but it feel like VANOS is not kicking in where it usually does near 4K.

As soon as I reboot the car, the problem disappears. No faults or anything to indicate that there is something wrong.

What could I be experiencing? I noticed the issue come up after I topped coolant last time.

Thanks!

MaximusJ · 11-16-2010, 06:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SR|RED

As soon as I reboot the car, the problem disappears. No faults or anything to indicate that there is something wrong.

I just realized that the electronics in our cars just got to a point of no return. They're not cars anymore but computers.

Just kidding.

e90pilot · 11-18-2010, 05:02 PM

Does the problem occur while the clutch is slipping or after? If it is during it's clutch chatter and tends to pull RPM down quickly. If it detects a knock your car will be SUPER sluggish off the line.

If it's occurring while the clutch is fully hooked, it might be a misfire. My friend's e39 540i had the same symptoms and did not through a misfire code until it got really bad. It turned out to be a bad ignition coil. It could be spark plugs or fuel injectors as well. When did you last change the spark plugs?

SR|RED · 11-22-2010, 03:20 PM

It's while I'm slipping the clutch. When fully engaged it just feels like the car has lost 30 horses.

Spark plugs changed about 5K ago.

The thing is the problem disappears immediately after I turn the car off and on. Could it still be something like the ignition coil or injectors?

Thanks.

micah_675 · 11-22-2010, 03:42 PM

How many, miles does your car have on it? VANOS is always working btw.....

pittyinSC · 11-23-2010, 05:39 PM

This sounds like a problem I had. There is actually a TSB for this. Its the VANOS solenoid issue. Bring her to the dealer. Easy fix.

11-16-2010, 03:52 AM	#1
SR\|RED Private 7 Rep 66 Posts Drives: 92' 180SX Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Calgary iTrader: (0)	Intermittent Stuttering Issue Occasionally my car experiences a strange issue that will go away when I restart the car. E90 325i - MT Symptoms: Happens more often during cold weather/cold starts. I will engage first gear as you normally would, but I experience shuddering as if it was a newbie learning to drive stick engaging the clutch too quickly. It almost stalls but will keep going. There is a considerable loss of power when I experience this. Once I'm in gear and rolling along the car feels well enough, but when I put my foot down there is a noticeable loss of power. I can't verify this, but it feel like VANOS is not kicking in where it usually does near 4K. As soon as I reboot the car, the problem disappears. No faults or anything to indicate that there is something wrong. What could I be experiencing? I noticed the issue come up after I topped coolant last time. Thanks!
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11-18-2010, 05:02 PM	#3
e90pilot Freight Dawg 104 Rep 2,103 Posts Drives: E90 325i Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Oakland, CA iTrader: (3)	Does the problem occur while the clutch is slipping or after? If it is during it's clutch chatter and tends to pull RPM down quickly. If it detects a knock your car will be SUPER sluggish off the line. If it's occurring while the clutch is fully hooked, it might be a misfire. My friend's e39 540i had the same symptoms and did not through a misfire code until it got really bad. It turned out to be a bad ignition coil. It could be spark plugs or fuel injectors as well. When did you last change the spark plugs? __________________ --Marcelo '06 Arctic Metallic 325i \| Sport Package \| 6MT \| Dinan Stage III suspension \| Dinan exhaust \| 330i manifold swap! Click here! \| Active Autowerke tune \| 135i Brake Calipers \| Deiselboost caliper brackets \| E46 M3 front rotors
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11-22-2010, 03:20 PM	#4
SR\|RED Private 7 Rep 66 Posts Drives: 92' 180SX Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Calgary iTrader: (0)	It's while I'm slipping the clutch. When fully engaged it just feels like the car has lost 30 horses. Spark plugs changed about 5K ago. The thing is the problem disappears immediately after I turn the car off and on. Could it still be something like the ignition coil or injectors? Thanks.
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11-22-2010, 03:42 PM	#5
micah_675 Second Lieutenant 71 Rep 282 Posts Drives: 2024 M2 Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Georgia iTrader: (0) Garage List 2024 M2 [0.00]	How many, miles does your car have on it? VANOS is always working btw.....
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11-23-2010, 05:39 PM	#6
pittyinSC Drives Smart 54 Rep 2,393 Posts Drives: 1968 Austin Mini Cooper 1380cc Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Nashville, TN iTrader: (2) Garage List 2006 330i [0.00]	This sounds like a problem I had. There is actually a TSB for this. Its the VANOS solenoid issue. Bring her to the dealer. Easy fix. __________________ 08 BMW ///M5 Space Gray/Black 6 speed Engine: RPi GTS exhaust, RPi Scoops, Carbon Filter Delete Exterior: Glossy Black Kidneys, LUX V3, OEM LED License Plate light, Bruce License Plate Adapter Last edited by pittyinSC; 11-25-2010 at 01:32 AM..
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