BMW: 1990 BMW 325i stalling on idle, paul beckwith, bmw dealer

Question
Hello, I've spent $900 on new ignitor coils, speark plugs and air filter as well as being hooked up to the electronic scan machine after my car was stalling at idle. After all of this, it is now stalling at idle at most stoppages or cutting out sitting in driveway at idle in driveway after 90 seconds or less. I am told by local service import experts (not BMW dealer) that this type of thing is not covered by a scan code so they will have to check everything electrically piece by piece or it could be a coil, relay or sensor. The operation of the vehicle at any speed is fine but it will often stall immediately on idle. Can you help as it seems to be a license to print money when they say that it is electrical. Any guidance n what quesitons to ask or if you have knowledge that a BMW delaer has advanced diagnostics would be helpful.

Thank you in advance
Paul Beckwith  

Answer
Paul Im sorry to here of your headache... In this situation the first thing I would check is the ICV (idle control valve) it rearly needs replacing, If you were to locate it, (t-shaped) and remove it, clean it with Wd-40 you should be set to go. Its a very common problem with BMW's over 100k miles.

Hope this helps, also do you have a check engine light on... usually a bad 02 sensor causes the ICV to get carbon deposits thus giving you horrible idleing results. Let me know if I can help with anything else.

Once again, dont pay to replace the ICV ... just clean it.