"CHECK CONTROL" on 1992 525i and won't start

[ayshiudan]

I've got a 1992 525i which drove fine for the past. I got home one day and te next day tried to start it and it just cranked without firing. The instrument panel displayed "CHECK CONTROL" then "USER'S MANUAL"... I had to leave so I used the family van and when I got back tried to start it again and it did fire but stopped after a few seconds. Then the same display came back on and since then didn't start. I just about drained my battery from trying to crank it over. I need to get this running so I could get to work !!! Anybody out there who could help me or have the same problem solvedused:
I appreciate any help. Thank you very much.
Patrick