My computer on my 89 745 told me a few months ago that my idle control valve was having problems. I haven't done anything about it, because the car runs fine. (Shame on me)

Last couple weeks, though the car sometimes refuses to start. Reminds me of an engine that's flooded: turns over real fast--almost too fast. Unlike a flooded engine, however, it never "shimmies over" or gives any other indication of actually starting. Let it sit a while and it starts up, but kinda grudgingly (turns over 2 or 3 fulls seconds before starting). Did it to me yesterday (when I was late for a meeting of course) and in desperation I wiggled a bunch of wires, and tapped on various items in the engine compartment, including the throttle body and what I'm pretty sure is the idle control valve. The car started right up.

Could a stuck idle control valve prevent starting?

Bob Neumann