Problem with my 2000 328ci and the idle when cold

When i go out to my garage after a cold night and start my car and put in neautral and let it warm up the idle is of course higher then normal but after a min or so the idle will randomly drop below 500 and then bounce back up and it feel like the car almost dies but then it recovers? What could this be?

Brent6w,

I have the same problem with my 2000 328ci. I hope someone here can help us out.

This problem has been discussed many times. I had this same problem a few months back. All I have to say is I hope you are stiill under warranty. Your vanos unit is bad or going bad. $1500.00 part not to mention labor. My car has actually done this once since it was replaced so I have to go back again. Sorry for the bad news. This seems to be a common problem on 99-00 E46

ABE

My 528i has the same engine as your 328's and it had the same problem. The VANOS unit was replaced under warranty and the problem was solved. My dealer said it would have been $1,000 to fix without the warranty. Good thing I have 2 years left on the warranty...

I had my VANOS replaced under CPO warranty. I searched and printed up some posts to bring to my service advisor. Worked well! And no probs since.

Good luck.

We had the same problem with our 528i. A software update fixed the problem

I have the same exact problem on my 00 328. It never actually stalls, the rpm goes right back up after the car is ready to stall. Are you sure this is the vanos going bad?

Originally Posted by cgrizzly888

I have the same exact problem on my 00 328. It never actually stalls, the rpm goes right back up after the car is ready to stall. Are you sure this is the vanos going bad?

I don't think anyone's car actually stalls just almost does. Maybe the software update will solve the problem for you. If not its probably the vanos unit.

ABE

I need to have this taken care of soon since I only have 1k miles left on my warranty.

I've got the same problem, my service date is march 23rd, two days before my birthday.

I have a 2000 328ci and also experience the same problem, but one day my car actually stalled. I live in San Diego so it cannot be the cold weather. What is this Vanos you guys are talking bout? I took my car to the dealer and they ran a diagnostic check and showed nothing. Would a faulty vanos show up on a test like this. I am concerned, but do have a cpo till 05.

Originally Posted by cgrizzly888

I have the same exact problem on my 00 328. It never actually stalls, the rpm goes right back up after the car is ready to stall. Are you sure this is the vanos going bad?

DITTO!

Mine does the same (same year/model too). It will only die if I do something that puts a high load on the electrical (such as adjust seats). I dont let it bother me, I dont let it idle for long, just drive it nice and easy until it warms up...It's been doing this for over a year, but I'm out of warranty and it really isnt a big deal to me...

Originally Posted by Amistry

I have a 2000 328ci and also experience the same problem, but one day my car actually stalled. I live in San Diego so it cannot be the cold weather. What is this Vanos you guys are talking bout? I took my car to the dealer and they ran a diagnostic check and showed nothing. Would a faulty vanos show up on a test like this. I am concerned, but do have a cpo till 05.

Mine did not show up as defective in the diagnostic check - but the check is run with the engine warm, and it only stalled when it was cold. So the dealer just replaced the unit and said on the repair order it looked "dirty and crusty" as justification for the replacement. They had previously replaced the MAF sensor, idle control valve, and oil separator trying to chase down the problem. VANOS was the only thing left...

My car does the same thing too when I try to warm it up. I try not to let it idle too long at start up anymore. It'll even happen at a red light when I slow down and accidentily tap on the gas a bit and the rpm will fall down to 500. I'm out of warranty so I deal with it.

T

Man, that sucks! My friend has a 2000 328I and has the same problem every morning, his car has even stalled out a few times. He took it to the dealer and was told that nothing was found wrong with his car, they told him to wait until the check engine light turned on and then take it back.

He will not be happy to hear that he may have to have the VANOS replaced, he has not even had the car for a year. Luckily his is still under warranty. Sorry to hear this is happening to so many people, I hope you guys get this problem resolved.

so now that we know the problem, can we just go to a dealer and explain this to them, and under cpo will they replace? Because vanos problem happens every now and then the dealer may not find anything wrong. what should I do?

thanks,

I thought my 2000 328ci was the only one with this problem. Thank God I bought an extended warranty. I'll definitely take it in for a diagnostic check.

thanks guys,
-Ajfun

I’m with BMW of North America, LLC. I’m sorry to read about this problem with your 328Ci. If you and your BMW center want our assistance, please phone us at (800) 831-1117, and mention Reference #200407000075 so that we can help you more efficiently.

Originally Posted by BMW NA Customer Relations

I'm with BMW of North America, LLC. I'm sorry to read about this problem with your 328Ci. If you and your BMW center want our assistance, please phone us at (800) 831-1117, and mention Reference #200407000075 so that we can help you more efficiently.

i called you guys and you know wat u told me? "sir since there is no fault code in the computer, that means there is nothing wrong with the car and nothing we can do about it" wtf kinda response is that???????

Anyone else try calling BMW Customer Relations? What can they do? I think it is dumb that the dealer waits for the check engine light to turn on to determine that something is wrong. I have had the cyclone separator and idle control sensor...so far the problem hasn't happened, but if it does im sure they will change the cam sensor, then finally the vanos. BUT who the hell wants to pay 50 bucks every damn time for the same problem.. this is bull sh*t.