QuestionThanks for the quick response
There are no conditions that I could identify. Weather and road conditions essentially the same. Mild temperatures, no rain, city driving, light accelleration. The first time, I started her in the morning, drove her only a couple of miles, stopped for a to-go coffee, and she wouldn't start - she was off only a couple of minutes. Then there was a time, a week or so later, when I started her in the morning and I had to try her several times before she turned over. The last time I had driven her for about 20 minutes, and then she sat for a couple of hours, and then she wouldn't start. I let her sit and tried her again several times within the next hour, but she still wouldn't turn over. Then i left her overnignt and tried the next morning, but couldn't get her to go. On the last attempt I pulled the relay out and then put it back in - to no avail. Someone mentioned something about a DME or DNE, is that the relay?
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Followup To
Question -
Three months ago, after a five minute drive, my beat-up 1986 535i wouldn't start (crank with no problem, but wouldn't turn over). She was towed to a local mechanic who couldn't get her NOT to start. She ran great until two weeks ago - then she wouldn't start after sitting for a couple of hours. She was towed to a BMW mechanic who said she needs both fuel pumps (one in the tank and one under the car). I decided the repair was too expensive, given the overall condition of the car, and I had her towed home to await her turn as an organ doner. I got home later that evening and tried her, and she started right up! I try her every day, and she has started with no problem, but i haven't driven her because i'm afraid she'll strand me again. What's the deal? Seems funny that both fuel pumps would work intermittently? Could it be the fuel pump relay? Does that work intermittently? How can i test it if she starts and runs? Any advice might save her from the junkyard. Thanks
Answer -
you could try the fuel pump relay as it is inexpensive. the next time the car cuts out and won't restart, locate the fuel pump relay and give it a couple of good taps. if it starts right up, then it is most likely the relay that is defective. Was there a certain condition that the car would die? or did it do it at any time? weather conditions, speeds, heavy acceleration, light acceleration?
Answerthe most inexpensive way to go is going to be to replace the fuel pump relay 1st. but the dme could also be the problem. the dme is responsible for energizing the fuel pump relay. sometimes the dme gets moisture in it and that will cause intermittent problems
