BMW 325e engine barely running? Need Help!

[tomsolidgould]

OK , to recap:
1) Cars been off the road for over a month and a half.
2) Engine won't start unless given throttle.
3) When engine does start it won't maintain a constant speed
It goes back and forth from almost stalling to about
2500 rpm in a rhythmic pattern.
4) Recently fired mechanic tried everything,including going off
on a wild electronic goose chase which included icu and
ecu.
5) All usual suspect parts we're swapped with known working
ones.
6) Engine works great with a test light connected to one of the
bell housing sensor wires at the connection at the top of the
engine.
So problem has something to do with the sensor,the one that picks-up the pin on the flywheel.
7) The sensor and attached wire we're replaced as well as the
other sensor.
After Mr. mechanic says " I'm out of ideas " I ask him if he is SURE the pin is still attached to the flywheel. This is apparently a common problem with early 325e's (I found out through the internet). He rechecks and says " Oh yeah the pin is only partially there , some of it has been sheered-off."...........AAAARRRRRHHHHHHHH!

So my big question is this........ If the pin on the flywheel is partially there and the sensor IS showing a signal, could the signal be somehow too weak for the ecu to read properly? Could this be the problem?

Help,

Tom Gould

[Blackice]

There is a resistive value for the speed and the reference sensor. 960 ohms +- 96 ohms.

Make sure the connectors for the speed and the Reference sensor are not interchanged. and that the sensor is placed in the correct position in the bellhouseing. the bellhouseing is marked with a "B" for the reference sensor and a " D " for the speed sensor.

If the pin is damaged it can be replaced withe a new pin.

Also check the electrical connectors Grey reference for the sensor connector and black for the speed sensor.

I hope this helps

Dave

[tomsolidgould]

So the dealership might have the part?
I went to realoem and it looks like the pin is no longer available.

Tom

[Blackice]

I would think the dealership would have the part.

Good luck

Dave

PS, PM sent

[tomsolidgould]

anyone ever replaced just the flywheel pin?
Is it possible?

Tom

[DS Rook]

Yes it is possible Tom. I've seen bolts installed and threadlocked in place, as well as metal pins welded in place. The bolt looked pretty good actually. you just have to drill the hole in EXACTLY the right place before you install a very good grade bolt. I dont see why you cannot have a machine shop mill one out for you if all you need is the pin though. Should be pretty easy to make on any lathe.
Todd

[Blackice]

A bolt ! Wow , I never would have guessed. So maybe I miss lead you on this one Tom, The pin is still there. Right ? Just damaged.... So maybe this is not the problem ?

Bentley said if the pin is damaged to replace the pin, I guess it is a proximity thing ? since there is a spec for the distance from the sensor ? Can you give us some more insite DS ?

[tomsolidgould]

Finally the saga ends!!!!!!!!!

Gave up on my mechanic and took the car to Nixon . Turns out it was the pin on the fly wheel. It was partially sheered off.

Thanks to all who helped with input. Extra special mention to BENV who helped with parts for my clueless, parts hungry, former mechanic.

Tom