1998 740il start then dies quickly

[brunoandolini]

I've searched the site and can't find a post on it. My 98 740iL goes through periods of say 4 months on and 4 months off of:

1. Engine starts at turn of key
2. Engine idles up around 1500 for a second or so
3. Engine rests at about 800 for a second
4. Engine Dies

I have to repeat this about 5 times before I can drive. The car never shuts off after it starts untill I turn it off. As I mentioned before, I can go for 4 to 6 months of this never happening...then bam! For the next 3 to 4 months of what I mentioned in 1. thru 4. Car has original key. Car has new battery, but this problem occurred before the switch.

Thanks for anything!

[Beemerguy 32]

If you havent solved the problem yet, i had a simular problem in some of my cars. It´s usually the fuel reley (pressuresensor). It builds enough pressure to start, but not enough to run. Change the relay would be my first choise.

[darkhorse737]

"... occured before the switch"... what switch are you referring to?

anywayz... symptoms point to fuel starvation. Clogged fuel filter(nobody changes these things, really) or a failing fuel pump.

[AlpineSixAndSeven]

^ the switch of the battery.,...

[yolizzie]

Hi, I had the same issue with my '98 740il. The engine would turn over, but then die. It would do this 5 or 6 times before it would stay started. It was the cam shaft position sensor. The OEM part from the dealership was approx. $82 wholesale. Good luck!