325 Engine Cuts out

[Paul M]

Hi,

Have an E30 325 which has started to cutout when driving along. Usually happens within 20 minutes of starting the car. The computer has no errors in it. I have had the fuel pressure/flow checked OK, and the air flow meter replaced. The car has been off the road for over 2 weeks at the workshop, they have no idea what it could be.... arrrrh.

Any ideas let me know.

Thanks
Paul

[heifetz17]

Maybe you have a loose/cracked vacuum hose.

[DANM]

I had a similar problem and it ended up being the fuel pump relay on the left inner fender

[BMWJNKY]

If the car stutters then dies it sounds like a fuel pump or fuel pump relay problem. If all of a sudden the car just flat out dies with no warning try replacing the main relay, BMW part # 61 36 1 729 004. This is the relay that sends power to the DME. My car did the same thing, I would be driving down the road and out of no where it would just flat out die with no warning. I replaced my main relay and haven't had a problem since.

[Paul M]

Thanks for all the replys so far, I'm going to have a look for leaks. And try another relay (btw which one is the fuel pump - a pic would be great as I don't have the manual).

Just to clarify myself a bit, the car does not completely cutout. But for about 0.5 - 2 seconds (its always different), the revs drop ~500ish (very quickly), and then the power is back on. This is a very sudden drop, which always happens under some sort of acceleration, in any gear. The lights, radio, etc do not seem affected by the loss to engine power.

So basically theres power one second, none the next, but comes right back a second later - a huge amount of fun in the wet!!!!.

Thanks
Paul

[BMWJNKY]

Originally posted by Paul M@May 27 2004, 05:17 PM
Thanks for all the replys so far, I'm going to have a look for leaks. And try another relay (btw which one is the fuel pump - a pic would be great as I don't have the manual).

Just to clarify myself a bit, the car does not completely cutout. But for about 0.5 - 2 seconds (its always different), the revs drop ~500ish (very quickly), and then the power is back on. This is a very sudden drop, which always happens under some sort of acceleration, in any gear. The lights, radio, etc do not seem affected by the loss to engine power.

So basically theres power one second, none the next, but comes right back a second later - a huge amount of fun in the wet!!!!.

Thanks
Paul

That sounds like a fuel problem. When the main relay goes bad all power to the car is lost, radio, gauges, wipers and a few other things stop working.

[Starmavin]

It also could be contamination in the fuel tank clogging the fuel pump sock, then after the car shuts off, the contaminats fall away from the sock and allow the car to start again after a few mins. Check the tank for water too. Also check the wires to the fuel pump in the tank, a sudden acceleration can wiggle a bad contact to the fuel pump causing the pump to cut off.


You stated that its "a huge amount of fun in the wet!!!!." Does this mostly happen when it rains?

[Paul M]

Thanks everyone for the replays. Looked at the car again yesterday and found the problem, the fuel pump relay was sitting ABOVE the clips that hold it in. So it was only just making contact and bouncing out at times.

Looks like the car will never be going back to that workshop.

Paul