530d E39 ( DDE ) light - BMW Forum

dirty diesels · 05-15-2008, 07:24 PM

Hi i have a 1999 530d that has an issue. It all started today when the starter packed up. I bought a new one and a friend offered to fit it for me ( bad mistake ). On removal of the old starter he dropped it which resulted in breaking crankshaft sensor which sits below starter. I buy a new one,he fits it and replaces new starter and everything going well until he rests his arm on the plastic fuel pipe that comes out the front of the fuel filter housing and snaps it clean off ( hes having a bad day ). I then buy another pipe which he replaced. Now ive turned the ignition on and there is this DDE light that has appeared with a curly line above it and now the car will not start. Does anybody have any ideas and point me in the right direction as wot could be the fault. Thanks for reading

witeshark · 05-15-2008, 07:38 PM

That's the main engine control module fault indicator I think. Not sure, but maybe just a simple reset could get it running...

dirty diesels · 05-16-2008, 05:26 AM

Thanks for your reply. I hope it is just a reset and nothing more major as the worst thing is not having a car to drive

russcooper · 10-25-2008, 08:37 AM

how is this rest ...i have similar problem with my 1997 r reg 525tds estate
it was running fine now the dde light is on when i drive and performance has gone down ..? any clues on reset or advice on workaround

tarlac · 10-26-2008, 11:26 AM

your new pipe may not be properly connected... air tight. It wouldn't start if sucking air. simple check.

stevecvo · 10-29-2008, 01:55 PM

It sounds like a problem with the fuel supply. I had problems a couple of years ago with my 525d. The DDE light came on and the engine would not run. It turned out to be a faulty sensor in the fuel tank. I later had a similar problem when a sensor gave trouble. This time the engine would run provided that the tank did not fall below half full.

Check the pipe that was replaced.

russcooper · 10-29-2008, 03:38 PM

so i was told to change my fuel filter ...gets fuel filter (deisel) attemps to remove ....failed ...removed the whole fuel filter housing ....bangs hand on engine 2 nice knucle cust ..still canot remove filter ..remove all from car ..goes to garage to now hold unit and turn filter ...doh!! snaps lug for pipe to intake ....so who having bad day ...now i got to find a new ior part worn part ....any one know where i may obtain one from as now i got a bmw525 tds thats as usefull as a chocolate fire guard

MADDOUG · 11-03-2008, 04:29 PM

Check and make sure that the crank sensor wiring has been connected,engine will not start unless ecu knows crank position,failing that sensor may be connected but not fitted in bell housing far enough to get a signal.

russcooper · 11-03-2008, 05:10 PM

well here comes more fun ...rang today new bit cost ?£150

and to top that i aint got an e34 ..mine is later model e39 so it looks like am getting kicked from here soon eh ?lol

just now searching the the e39 forums ...same engine tho funny that ...ah well the railway glue worked ...car running agin ,. but now still got dde light and back to point 1 ...am gonna get it rest for £30 from a mate and see what happens ...i will let you all know soon

tarlac · 11-26-2008, 09:48 PM

have a '98 525tds. changed the engine. DDE light was on and thought it was dirty diesel but noticed one of the pipes connecting the injectors a bit wasted so replaced it and solved DDE light. about 50p and 20 minutes. Will replace them all.