PLEASE HELP ME - Cant start my 540i - BMW Forum

blackicenyc · 09-23-2009, 02:55 PM

Hi Guys I really need your help in diagnosing the problem with my 94 540i.

For the past 2days my car with crank up but just wouldnt kick in and start after the car has been sitting for several hours (such as in the mornings or whenever parked for a long time).

Yesterday i finally got it to start after and in like 2mins into warming up it just shut down. This happened about 4 times. I did an error code check and came up with 1444 meaning no error codes. last night I change the old bosch plat 4+ plugs back to new original oem plugs and the idle seemed a bit smoother. I added a 20oz bottle of Techron fuel system cleaner as i filled up with gas and all night the car started and drove great without any problem however this morning it would not start again. I came home at 2pm from work and the car starts without a problem and warmed up fine. I shut it of and tried several times and each time it started without any hesitation.

I dont know what else to do? What could be the problem? Please help I need the car to go to work and it seems like it hates starting up when the weather is cold. Any ideas???

blackicenyc · 09-23-2009, 06:41 PM

Anyone :-(

witeshark · 09-23-2009, 07:52 PM

One thing that might be worth checking is the fuel system, specifically how well the system primes the car just before starting. If this part of the system isn't working rightly, it may be nearly unnoticeable when the car is warm.

blackicenyc · 09-23-2009, 09:00 PM

Thanks , Will check the fuel pump tomorrow

DonJ · 09-25-2009, 02:20 PM

Hey there Blackicenyc . . .
Mine did the EXACT same thing. My 1991 535i would not start in the mornings when it was cooler out (crank but no start) but would start and run fine in the afternoon.

It was the fuel pump - the top of the pump canister had a huge crack in it.
Below are the links to my threads describing the symptoms and my guess as to why it did this. The second link has pictures of the pump.

Be sure to replace your filter when you replace your pump.

The Bentley Manual decribes how to test the pump to see if it getting power to it and if it is drawing any current.

http://www.bimmerwerkz.com/forum/5-s...1-a-66623.html

http://www.bimmerwerkz.com/forum/5-s...ump-66532.html

Good luck - hope this is what it is - the pump was very easy to replace on my car.

blackicenyc · 09-25-2009, 04:57 PM

Wow , thanks a lot

blackicenyc · 10-03-2009, 06:42 AM

The fuel system is checked and fine.

It seems like my problem is from the rear intake manifold vent ( crank case vent) I found a DIY on how to remove it without taking out the intake manifold but was not able to remove it because the bolts on my car are worn out so i need to take the manifold out.

Please does anyone know where i can find a DIY with pictures on how to remove a 540i M60 intake manifold? Please help, i plan to to it this weekend. Thanks

witeshark · 10-03-2009, 08:50 AM

Have you looked at realoem.com ? It could be a good place to start.

DonJ · 10-05-2009, 01:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by blackicenyc

The fuel system is checked and fine.

Please does anyone know where i can find a DIY with pictures on how to remove a 540i M60 intake manifold? Please help, i plan to to it this weekend. Thanks

Have you tried a Google search on 540i intake manifold or something simaler?
Google will search other forums as well and you might find someone who has done this same job.

When you say the fuel system is fine, did you check to see if the pump was drawing power during one of the times when it wouldn't start? If you jumper the fuel pump relay, you should be able to hear the pump run for a bit. It helps to have someone put the jumper on while you are near the pump access hatch.

blackicenyc · 10-05-2009, 07:12 PM

Hi, thanks guys for all the help. It was my CCV that was the problem. This weekend i removed the manifold and changed the rear crank case vent and now the car starts with out a problem. the only proble i had while changing it was that when i was done and started up the car i had some fuel leaking around the injectors. I guess i should have just change the injector O-rings when i pulled out the manifold. But the good thing is the car now starts fine and idles very well

witeshark · 10-05-2009, 07:32 PM

Glad of the progress!

DonJ · 10-05-2009, 09:12 PM

Glad it's running fine now - thanks for posting your success story!