E36 diagnostics Part II

[freezaburn]

I finally managed to pick up a 20-pin diagnostics connector and the CARSOFT 6.5 diagnostic kit. Unfortunately, turns out my DME is version 1.7.2 which does not seem to support LIVE data feedback.

So I still cannot determine if there are any problems on the engine management side. Having driven the car for a 3 months now, she is definitely sluggish on response and heavy on fuel.

Any ideas on what I can check / how to check next?
This is on a 1996 E36 316i model (came out with a 1795 cc engine).

 

[wikked]

316i would be the 8 valve motor. slow and sluggish is the order of the day unfortunately.

 

[Thunder]

What engine is it? The M44 or M43?

What I can suggest is just give the car a proper inner engine clean.
Everyone has their own way of doing that.

yes unfortunately the 316i isnt one of the fastest on the road but when running like it should, it does keeps its own with some of the bigger cars.

 

[Gizmo]

His would be the M43, same as yours Bruce. The M44 is the twincam 16v 1.9lt found in the 318is.

OP, sounds to me like your camshaft sensor is broken. If not that then its the MAF. To rule out the MAF, unplug it while the car is idling, if there is no change in the idle or performance of the car with it unplugged then you know its the MAF that is faulty.

 

[freezaburn]

His would be the M43, same as yours Bruce. The M44 is the twincam 16v 1.9lt found in the 318is.

OP, sounds to me like your camshaft sensor is broken. If not that then its the MAF. To rule out the MAF, unplug it while the car is idling, if there is no change in the idle or performance of the car with it unplugged then you know its the MAF that is faulty.

Thank you Gizmo! I shall try your suggestion on the MAF and report back to the forum!

 

[Thunder]

His would be the M43, same as yours Bruce. The M44 is the twincam 16v 1.9lt found in the 318is.

OP, sounds to me like your camshaft sensor is broken. If not that then its the MAF. To rule out the MAF, unplug it while the car is idling, if there is no change in the idle or performance of the car with it unplugged then you know its the MAF that is faulty.

Thought that was the M42 motor but okay. :fencelook:

What does a broken cam sensor look like? And apologies if this is a stupid question but the MAF is the sensor right after the airbox?

 

[freezaburn]

His would be the M43, same as yours Bruce. The M44 is the twincam 16v 1.9lt found in the 318is.

OP, sounds to me like your camshaft sensor is broken. If not that then its the MAF. To rule out the MAF, unplug it while the car is idling, if there is no change in the idle or performance of the car with it unplugged then you know its the MAF that is faulty.

Thought that was the M42 motor but okay. :fencelook:

What does a broken cam sensor look like? And apologies if this is a stupid question but the MAF is the sensor right after the airbox?

This is the cam sensor: (Broken one I guess would have to be tested with a multimeter?)

This is the MAF sensor (inside the black box)

This is an opened MAFDo not adjust this thing!)