> > > Does anybody know where the O2 sensor on a 1986 325es is?
> > > I tried looking under the area where the spark plugs are and could not
[quoted text clipped - 16 lines]
> on my '91 535 is placed right inside the catalytic converter, but the
> electrical connection is in the engine compartment.
My car's idle is not stable (it fluctuates b/w 800-1800 RPM) and I was
told to replace the O2 sensor and it might fix the problem
Fred W - 16 Jun 2007 00:00 GMT
>>>>Does anybody know where the O2 sensor on a 1986 325es is?
>>>>I tried looking under the area where the spark plugs are and could not
[quoted text clipped - 19 lines]
> My car's idle is not stable (it fluctuates b/w 800-1800 RPM) and I was
> told to replace the O2 sensor and it might fix the problem
It might, but there's a whole better chance that it won't. When O2
sensors go bad they throw check-engine codes and the car idles very
poorly, but genrally not where the idle races up and down. Your symptom
sounds a lot more like a severe vacuum leak. Look around in the ngine
compartment for a hose that has blow off or cracked or a cracked rubber
intake manifold boot.

Signature
-Fred W
Floyd Rogers - 16 Jun 2007 00:36 GMT
> bmwguy2 wrote:
>> My car's idle is not stable (it fluctuates b/w 800-1800 RPM) and I was
>> told to replace the O2 sensor and it might fix the problem
[quoted text clipped - 5 lines]
> compartment for a hose that has blow off or cracked or a cracked rubber
> intake manifold boot.
Well, Fred, it's not likely to "throw codes" on a pre-OBD car. ;->
However, I agree about the vacuum leak. Ensure that the oil
filler cap and oil dipstick are firmly seated, too.
FloydR
Fred W - 18 Jun 2007 15:11 GMT
>>>My car's idle is not stable (it fluctuates b/w 800-1800 RPM) and I was
>>>told to replace the O2 sensor and it might fix the problem
[quoted text clipped - 11 lines]
>
> FloydR
Are you saying the ECU will not generate a check engine light on a 1986
325es if the O2 sensor has gone tits up?
Even the earliest Motronic ECU will show an O2 fault via the check
engine light.
http://www.unofficialbmw.com/repair_faqs/motronic.html

Signature
-Fred W
Floyd Rogers - 18 Jun 2007 15:25 GMT
> Floyd Rogers wrote:
>> Well, Fred, it's not likely to "throw codes" on a pre-OBD car. ;->
>> However, I agree about the vacuum leak. Ensure that the oil
[quoted text clipped - 5 lines]
> Even the earliest Motronic ECU will show an O2 fault via the check engine
> light.
I usually associate "codes" with "OBD". BMW didn't have OBD
until '92, hence: no OBD ==> no codes. I suppose that this is
incorrect in a technical sense.
FloydR
Bob Smitter - 16 Jun 2007 02:19 GMT
> My car's idle is not stable (it fluctuates b/w 800-1800 RPM) and I was
> told to replace the O2 sensor and it might fix the problem
The E36 has a tendency to foul idle control valves. One that
is not working correctly will cause an idle fluctuation. First you
can try cleaning it by removing it and spraying well with throttle
body/carburetor cleaner. If it is especially dirty and stuck you
may have to replace it.
I had a really fickle E36 which required both an idle control valve
and an airflow meter to stabilize the idle. Just be sure you have
checked all the vacuum areas first.
Bob
Fred W - 18 Jun 2007 15:16 GMT
>>My car's idle is not stable (it fluctuates b/w 800-1800 RPM) and I was
>>told to replace the O2 sensor and it might fix the problem
[quoted text clipped - 8 lines]
> and an airflow meter to stabilize the idle. Just be sure you have
> checked all the vacuum areas first.
That's nice, but we are talking about a 1986 (see subject line) and
those are E30's (not E36's).
However, E30's do also have ICVs, which is why the idle goes up and down
when they have a vacuum leak.

Signature
-Fred W
Bill - 18 Jun 2007 17:13 GMT
> >>My car's idle is not stable (it fluctuates b/w 800-1800 RPM) and I was
> >>told to replace the O2 sensor and it might fix the problem
[quoted text clipped - 5 lines]
> when they have a vacuum leak.
> -Fred W
-----
I believe '86 was a cross-over year for the e30 6cyl engine controls. The
325es may have a separate ICV control box (green) in the glove box with the
ECU. In 1987 they ditched the separate ICV controller and integrated it into
the Motronic ECU. You may have it either way depending on manufacture date.
It's easy to check in the glove box, to be sure. If the ICV (under the hood)
has the 3-pin connector (square fuel injector type), the ICV is
Motronic-controlled. If there is a round 2-pin connector on the ICV, it has
a separate controller. Rule of thumb.
Bill in Omaha
'86 535i