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Thread: Sudden Death

  1. #1
    Join Date
    Feb 2006
    Location
    North Hollywood, CA
    Posts
    95

    Default Sudden Death

    So I was driving the 1991 535i/m in some very hot weather the other day. With the AC on, the idle speed started jumping up and down by 200-600RPM or so. Sweet. The next day, on acceleration onto the freeway, someone hit the off switch. Idiot lights lit, motor died instantly, pulled off the road and got AAA-ed home, which was luckily like 5 miles.

    There was no stutter, no stumble, no cough. Just a motor that did 3500RPM to 0RPM inside of a blink of an eye.

    The CEL throws a clear "1444;" starter cranks healthy and motor turns over just fine, just no starting or running.

    I just moved and my Bentley's buried someplace. This could be so many things. Any ideas? TPS? ICV? Both? I've had no electrical issues up til now. Fuses are fine. Battery's new and seems to be powering everything.
    Kristuphir
    =======

    '91 535i, 5-speed, black on black
    '59 Ford F-100 camper special
    '77 Honda CB550K (inert)

  2. #2
    Join Date
    Oct 2004
    Location
    Honolulu
    Posts
    3,105

    Default Sounds Electrical

    I had momentary near death experiances like that, and I traced it down to the ground wire between the chassis and the block.


    Vee ave vays of dealing vid your kind...........

  3. #3
    Join Date
    Dec 2005
    Location
    Independence Oregon USA - pop. 6000
    Posts
    296

    Default

    On older 5 series main and or fuel relays fail instanter. Fuel relay could be swapped w/ horn relay, whack main relay w/ screwdriver handle and see if it wakes up.... course on a '91 I could be way off base too..
    Tom

  4. #4
    Join Date
    Jan 2004
    Location
    Nashville, TN
    Posts
    982

    Default

    Is the fuel pump running? Are you getting spark?
    Derek A.
    90 535i 5 Speed - Style 5 17"

  5. #5
    Join Date
    Mar 2006
    Location
    USA
    Posts
    1,839

    Default

    DME relay i would assume, BMW recommends having a backup one in your car at all times.

  6. #6
    Join Date
    Aug 2005
    Posts
    593

    Default

    My fuel pump died like that. You can easily check if it is a fuel pump by spraying carb cleaner or something inflammable into the intake while somebody else is engaging the starter.
    In my case mechanic sprayed something called "Rapid Start".
    1994 520i with M50 engine, manual transmission and air conditioner.
    VIN: GG45422

  7. #7
    Join Date
    Dec 2003
    Location
    Wellington,New Zealand
    Posts
    3,868

    Default

    cps?
    Gone but not forgotten

  8. #8
    Join Date
    Jun 2006
    Location
    Frederick, MD
    Posts
    254

    Default

    The POS hyundia I had did exactly the same thing, and the starter fluid trick helped us track it down pretty fast. Either you are not getting fuel or spark, and the fluid guarantees the fuel part of that equation.

    BTW, I got to personally witness the death of the worst car I ever owned ( I wanted to see it burn) and finally got back to BWM's.

  9. #9
    Join Date
    Aug 2005
    Posts
    593

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by Airborne001
    The POS hyundia I had did exactly the same thing, and the starter fluid trick helped us track it down pretty fast. Either you are not getting fuel or spark, and the fluid guarantees the fuel part of that equation.

    BTW, I got to personally witness the death of the worst car I ever owned ( I wanted to see it burn) and finally got back to BWM's.
    And what kind of a car it was that you executed it by burning to death?
    1994 520i with M50 engine, manual transmission and air conditioner.
    VIN: GG45422

  10. #10
    Join Date
    Feb 2006
    Location
    North Hollywood, CA
    Posts
    95

    Default

    OK, all good hints. It's parked now, and hopefully I'll have time soon to track this mofo down...
    Kristuphir
    =======

    '91 535i, 5-speed, black on black
    '59 Ford F-100 camper special
    '77 Honda CB550K (inert)

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