E36 328I Auto problems

[colinrob]

Hope you can help over Christmas I left my car a few days without starting it, when I did come to start it it struggled to start but then eventually did, since then when driving the revs will suddenly increase as though it is kicking down, I changed the gearbox oil as I thought this could be the problem, it then seemed better but over the last few day have noticed that the revs fluctuate while at standstill and if I rev it it takes a long time for the revs to drop any ideas what could be the problem please

[4rephill]

First thing I'd look into is the idle control valve (ICV) - a google search on the subject should hopefully help.

They are known to play up on the E36 and can cause all kinds of issues with bouncing idle speeds and erratic revs.
(They're also a bit of a pain to get at as they're buried underneath the intake manifold).

[TheEnd]

Have a look for a tear in the folds of the large rubber intake pipe.

[4rephill]

TheEnd said:

Have a look for a tear in the folds of the large rubber intake pipe.

Would that not cause more engine loss of revs/cutting out than erratic idle/revving though?

(Just in case, I'm not trying to be argumentative, I'm just curious! )

[TheEnd]

With a tear, or any airleak, you'll tend to find it affects idle the worst, but higher speeds are OK.

A big tear will do stuff like make the car kangaroo down the road if you try to pull off fast before settling down.