URGENT!!! The car turns off !!!URGENT

[bmw535d2007]

Hi. I'm in need of help here.
I drive a BMW 535d (2007) and i have ignition problem.
Few seconds after I start-up the car, it turns off.I start it up again, few seconds later it does the same.Start it up, it turns off.After repeating this around 20 times i was able to drive my car.But, i can drive it only with speed of 30-40 km/h. Also when it turns off, a message appears on the screen that says ' Active Steering Inactive '.
One day later, it did the same thing again- It turned off few seconds after i started the car up.
Some people told me that the problem is in the fuel filter or bad oil possibly.

Any ideas ? Please help, I'm on an island right now, 700km from home and there's no BMW Service here !!NEED HELP FAST. Thanks in advance.

[Avec]

I would start with the fuel filter then fuel pump. The warning message is more due to the quick on-off-on-off voltage of the system as you attempt to start.

[rynburns]

its not bad oil. Mabe in an HEUI system, but i doubt BMW uses that. I would bet its the filter. If it was the injection pump, it probably wouldnt be building enough pressure to start in the first place

[bmw535d2007]

Breaking News ! Now I'm not able to drive the car. I start it up and after second or two it turns off.And again and again and agan.So i decided to leave it that way so the engine would cool down.3 hours later i started the car up drove around 600-700 metres and it did the same thing-it turned off in the middle of road.And a new message appeared on the screen which says :
' Active steering (it has a yellow ' ! ' next to it).I leaved the car beside the road.
Still thinking the same ? Any new ideas ?

[rynburns]

fuel filter..i dont think this "active steering" thing has anything to do with it

[bmw535d2007]

Well, thank you very much for your concern. I'll replace the fuel filter and I'll let you know what will happen. Thanks again.

[Crescent]

I would recommend checking things before you start throwing parts at it. Check for DME codes, check your fuel pressure, I would check the fuel pick up pump with an oscilloscope, fuel filter may be your only problem but there is a lot of things that can cause these symptoms.

[bmw535d2007]

what are DME codes ?

[Jayrbm32]

Fuel filter would be a good place to start on a diesel. Especially if it hasn't been replaced in a long time. After that checking fuel pressure.

[bmw535d2007]

Thank you Crescent and Jayrbm32. I'll replace the fuel filter tomorrow.

[Crescent]

You connect a computer to your car and check for fault codes that will give you a clue as to what may be going on. You may have low fuel pressure codes and the like, or it may be something else entirely. I really wouldn't go about this just changing parts if I were you. You have low pressure side, high pressure side, turbo involved and if you are not lucky you will be in thousands of dollars in parts by the time you get to the problem. You need someone with a GT1 or an ISID ICOM just to get a starting point.

[bmw535d2007]

Thank you all of you. Crescent, I will plug the computer and check the car.I'll see what I would do, the checking, or the fuel filter replacement or whatever it would be and I'll update. Thanks again.

[Leinbach]

good luck man! Sorry to hear about it

[bmw535d2007]

thanks man

News folks ! The mechanic removed the fuel filter. 'BMW Mahle Fuel Filter' is written on it with BMW logo sign. Does that mean that the fuel filter hasn't been changed since the car was produced? The mileage is 150 000 kilometres. I've ordered a new fuel filter which I'll receive for about two hours. I'll let you guys know what'll happen.

fuel filter changed and nothing, still does the same - it turns off..

[Jayrbm32]

If that's the original fuel filter its long overdue for service. As other recommend check for codes. Also check if the in tank pump is running . I would think key on and a whirring noise should be heard from underneath the rear seat. Also another issue on common rail diesels is injectors only what I've read. If the return line is removed from the injector and only key on. No fuel should pour out. As I've read these injectors are designed to hold fuel pressure with key on. Again key on engine off. If one of injectors is bad you could have a no start. Im not saying this your problem, but it seems like a simple test to check injectors for leak down. Again codes should be checked and fuel pressures. Im more familiar with vw, mercedes diesels.

[rynburns]

A maf issue could cause an excessive lean situation, resulting in a start, no run situation? Diesels already operate lean, if the maf was fouled or damaged, and the computer injected fuel simply for starting, then looked to the maf for reference and there wasnt any, would it cut the fuel, or resort to a default fuel map?

[bmwdirtracer]

The car needs to get to a really good BMW pro. Do not let your local mechanic mess with it, any more.

This car needs to have it's computers asked, for codes relating to the failure. Active steering is one of these computers. There will be multiple codes set, in multiple computers, more than likely.

ANY other "first step" in correcting this issue will be the WRONG step, in my opinion. I'm the first to say I'm unfamiliar with diesels in general, and BMW diesels in particular.

But with any BMW built in the last generation or two, the first thing I want to do is ask the computers what's wrong. You got sixty six megillion bytes of gizmos keeping an eye on things: why not ask them what they know?

[rynburns]

+1

[bmw535d2007]

Is it possible that all of the 6 injectors are bad ? They told me that the repairing will cost around 5000 euros .. Too much ..

[Jayrbm32]

You should look into how much it would cost to get your car back to the mainland. And bring it to either a bmw dealer or independent that is familiar with bmw diesels. Id be very skeptical if all the injectors were bad. Especially at a cost of 5000 euros.

[bmw535d2007]

I'll see what I'll do. Anyway, the car is let's say new for me. I have it for 6 months and i have passed around 5000 km. I'm the second boss of the car. And now my question is the following .. Is it possible that the first boss could have known that the injectors are bad ?.. That the injectors will become faul ? or anything like it .. What i mean is, are the injectors predictable thing ?

[Jayrbm32]

When I'm near a computer and not on my phone. I'll post you link to a uk forum that had some good information on bmw diesels. It was in bmwland.co.uk/forums. Yes diesel injectors should be considered wear items. And they can be tested. Whether or not first owner knew about it, maybe, maybe not. It sounds like he didn't do regular maintenance as your fuel filter looks to be original. I also read somewhere they can be rebuilt, in the same forum. If it is true that you do need all the injectors. I would think rebuilt injectors would save you some money.

[bmw535d2007]

Thank you very much.I'll check the forum that you'll send me.I'll keep you updated.

[Jayrbm32]

http://www.bmwland.co.uk/forums/view...dcb4a942f6149c

In this thread they discuss common issues with the bmw diesels, and there might be some useful information for you. Bmw diesel's are relatively new to the states. I hope this might be helpful to you.

[bmwdirtracer]

Exactly WHO told you that all six injectors are bad? That just smells really damned fishy to me.