'88 325. It just died while driving up a hill today. All the dash
lights were lit up like you had the key in position one. I pulled over
and It started fine and I drove to town. It died again under way and
started fine and then ran ok the rest of the day.
Also: It usually starts at the touch of a key but 2 or 3 times a week
it just cranks and won't start. After a few minutes it starts
normally. The other day I started it and got out to do something. When
I jumped in and shouted, "let's get this bucket moving, Race!" it died
as soon as my ass hit the seat.
A previous owners mechanic report states it would die at stop signs
and then start easily. No error codes returned but the tach signal was
suspected. Jiggling the wires and connectors "solved" the problem but
now it is back with me, the new owner.
I tested the cam sensor for resistance and it measures exactly as
prescribed. The cold start sensor also tested good.
If it was a chevy I'd be looking at the bulkhead connector.
Any ideas?
p.s. I rubbed out the paint and waxed it twice. It looks like a
million dollars!

In article <cjnaj3d57rhn5tqm88ke2bjrn51s678b8g@4ax.com>,
cosmo <nonono@waaaay.com> wrote:
> '88 325. It just died while driving up a hill today. All the dash
> lights were lit up like you had the key in position one. I pulled over
> and It started fine and I drove to town. It died again under way and
> started fine and then ran ok the rest of the day.
> Also: It usually starts at the touch of a key but 2 or 3 times a week
> it just cranks and won't start. After a few minutes it starts
> normally. The other day I started it and got out to do something. When
> I jumped in and shouted, "let's get this bucket moving, Race!" it died
> as soon as my ass hit the seat.
> A previous owners mechanic report states it would die at stop signs
> and then start easily. No error codes returned but the tach signal was
> suspected. Jiggling the wires and connectors "solved" the problem but
> now it is back with me, the new owner.
> I tested the cam sensor for resistance and it measures exactly as
> prescribed. The cold start sensor also tested good.
> If it was a chevy I'd be looking at the bulkhead connector.
> Any ideas?
> p.s. I rubbed out the paint and waxed it twice. It looks like a
> million dollars!

Fuel pump relay? Common problem on BMWs of this age.

--
*Just remember...if the world didn't suck, we'd all fall off*

Dave Plowman dave@davenoise.co.uk London SW
To e-mail, change noise into sound.

"Dave Plowman (News)" <dave@davenoise.co.uk> wrote in message
news:4f3f76c191dave@davenoise.co.uk...
> In article <cjnaj3d57rhn5tqm88ke2bjrn51s678b8g@4ax.com>,
> cosmo <nonono@waaaay.com> wrote:
>> '88 325. It just died while driving up a hill today. All the dash
>> lights were lit up like you had the key in position one. I pulled over
>> and It started fine and I drove to town. It died again under way and
>> started fine and then ran ok the rest of the day.
>> Also: It usually starts at the touch of a key but 2 or 3 times a week
>> it just cranks and won't start. After a few minutes it starts
>> normally. The other day I started it and got out to do something. When
>> I jumped in and shouted, "let's get this bucket moving, Race!" it died
>> as soon as my ass hit the seat.
>> A previous owners mechanic report states it would die at stop signs
>> and then start easily. No error codes returned but the tach signal was
>> suspected. Jiggling the wires and connectors "solved" the problem but
>> now it is back with me, the new owner.
>> I tested the cam sensor for resistance and it measures exactly as
>> prescribed. The cold start sensor also tested good.
>> If it was a chevy I'd be looking at the bulkhead connector.
>> Any ideas?
>> p.s. I rubbed out the paint and waxed it twice. It looks like a
>> million dollars!
>
> Fuel pump relay? Common problem on BMWs of this age.

Or vapour lock in the fuel lines - notice it happens when the car is hot /
stoppped.

In article <3aednadgRq68J6janZ2dnUVZ8uOdnZ2d@bt.com>,
R. Mark Clayton <nospamclayton@btinternet.com> wrote:
> > Fuel pump relay? Common problem on BMWs of this age.

> Or vapour lock in the fuel lines - notice it happens when the car is hot
> / stoppped.

Assuming it's injection, this only usually happens when stopped. When
running the fuel is whizzed round the circuit quick enough to keep it cool.

--
*To steal ideas from *one* person is plagiarism; from many, research*

Dave Plowman dave@davenoise.co.uk London SW
To e-mail, change noise into sound.

"Dave Plowman (News)" <dave@davenoise.co.uk> wrote:
>
> Fuel pump relay? Common problem on BMWs of this age.
>
I'd be even more inclined to think a dying fuel pump. I think that
is more common at that age than the relay.

"Dave Plowman (News)" <dave@davenoise.co.uk> wrote in message
news:4f3f76c191dave@davenoise.co.uk...
In article <cjnaj3d57rhn5tqm88ke2bjrn51s678b8g@4ax.com>,
cosmo <nonono@waaaay.com> wrote:
> '88 325. It just died while driving up a hill today. All the dash
> lights were lit up like you had the key in position one. I pulled over
> and It started fine and I drove to town. It died again under way and
> started fine and then ran ok the rest of the day.
> Also: It usually starts at the touch of a key but 2 or 3 times a week
> it just cranks and won't start. After a few minutes it starts
> normally. The other day I started it and got out to do something. When
> I jumped in and shouted, "let's get this bucket moving, Race!" it died
> as soon as my ass hit the seat.
> A previous owners mechanic report states it would die at stop signs
> and then start easily. No error codes returned but the tach signal was
> suspected. Jiggling the wires and connectors "solved" the problem but
> now it is back with me, the new owner.
> I tested the cam sensor for resistance and it measures exactly as
> prescribed. The cold start sensor also tested good.
> If it was a chevy I'd be looking at the bulkhead connector.
> Any ideas?
> p.s. I rubbed out the paint and waxed it twice. It looks like a
> million dollars!

Fuel pump relay? Common problem on BMWs of this age.

--
*Just remember...if the world didn't suck, we'd all fall off*

Dave Plowman dave@davenoise.co.uk London SW
To e-mail, change noise into sound.
-----

Sounds like a power cable connector is lose at the battery.

Bill in Omaha
'86 535i

Bob Smitter <bsmitter@nospamcox.net> wrote:
>"Dave Plowman (News)" <dave@davenoise.co.uk> wrote:
>>
>> Fuel pump relay? Common problem on BMWs of this age.
>>
>I'd be even more inclined to think a dying fuel pump. I think that
>is more common at that age than the relay.

My mechanic ASSURED me that the fuel pumps NEVER failed while at pressure,
that they only failed on starting, and therefore stalling out while
underway was ALWAYS the fuel pump relay.

Then, after I replaced the fuel pump relay and the car stalled in the
middle of Rockville Pike in heavy traffic, not to restart again, I
discovered he was wrong.

Next time it stalls out, CAREFULLY disconnect the hose to the regulator
and see if huge amounts of fuel squirt out at high pressure. It bet
it doesn't. Switch the fuel pump relay with a relay you don't use very
much (like the horn) and see if the problem is fixed. Join AAA so you
can get towed for free when it turns out to be the fuel pump.
--scott
>
>


--
"C'est un Nagra. C'est suisse, et tres, tres precis."

On 10 Nov 2007 14:43:51 -0500, kludge@panix.com (Scott Dorsey) wrote:

>Bob Smitter <bsmitter@nospamcox.net> wrote:
>>"Dave Plowman (News)" <dave@davenoise.co.uk> wrote:
>>>
>>> Fuel pump relay? Common problem on BMWs of this age.
>>>
>>I'd be even more inclined to think a dying fuel pump. I think that
>>is more common at that age than the relay.
>
>My mechanic ASSURED me that the fuel pumps NEVER failed while at pressure,
>that they only failed on starting, and therefore stalling out while
>underway was ALWAYS the fuel pump relay.
>
>Then, after I replaced the fuel pump relay and the car stalled in the
>middle of Rockville Pike in heavy traffic, not to restart again, I
>discovered he was wrong.
>
>Next time it stalls out, CAREFULLY disconnect the hose to the regulator
>and see if huge amounts of fuel squirt out at high pressure. It bet
>it doesn't. Switch the fuel pump relay with a relay you don't use very
>much (like the horn) and see if the problem is fixed. Join AAA so you
>can get towed for free when it turns out to be the fuel pump.
>--scott
>>

Sorry, my bad. I should have read the whole work sheet. The fuel pump
was replaced in august, this year. ($335 plus labor). Also the screen
was replaced and the tank cleaned out. Voltage to the pump tested ok.
There's no mention of a relay in the report.
When I CAREFULLY disconnect the hose to the regulator (on the pump
side, right?) I have to have the key on to the second- light up the
dash position so the electric pump is still pumping, right? Or are we
just looking for residual pressure?
Looks like the fuel pump relay is part of a secret auxiliary panel. I
will have to find this in daylight.
So the theory is the relay fails and opens up, interrupting voltage to
the pump and the car runs out of gas. Then after the key has been
cycled the relay re-engages and off we go?
Thanks again, everyone.

"cosmo" <nonono@waaaay.com> wrote:

> Looks like the fuel pump relay is part of a secret auxiliary panel. I
> will have to find this in daylight.

The relay is under a black plastic cover very near the fuse box.
There are probably 3 relays under it.

In article <mdtnj310cp07kaeot27dj4mrgt8ifatgs1@4ax.com>,
cosmo <nonono@waaaay.com> wrote:
> I found the auxiliary relays- they're near the power steering fluid
> reservoir. Main relay, fuel pump relay and something else. I pulled
> them all and cleaned up the contacts.

Ah - a good Aberdonian like me. Most would just buy new.

--
*Gun Control: Use both hands.

Dave Plowman dave@davenoise.co.uk London SW
To e-mail, change noise into sound.