Really bad Idle then dies attempts to start then no start

[2001740il]

Yesterday after mid day start it really had a bad idle 1991 850i Auto. Then sputtered and died. A weak attempt at starting then it would turn over then nothing.

Turns over fine but almost acts like it is out of gas.

No check engine light no fault codes just turns over but no start.

Go out this morning and it starts right up and idles fine. Drive it all day no problem.

It was not out of gas as I did not put any gas in it for about 20 miles.

I checked a couple of things but did nothing to it. And last thing I tried to do was start it without luck last night first thing this morning tried to start it and varoooom and nice steady idle.

Any thoughts?

[MIKYZZ4]

Perform a stomp test:
1) Turn ignition to Run (not start)
2) Wait for the EML light to go out.. <1 sec
Then.. Do this 5 times (In less than 5 seconds):
3) Press the accelerator all the way to the kick down button for about 1/4 second and release

If you did it right, CEL will blink once, then blink out your code(s). After the code(s) it will pause and repeat the codes.
Even if you have no codes, it should still blink out 1 4 4 4 . If you can't get it, turn the key back off for a few seconds and try again.

Then...
Shut everything off, and repeat the test, but press it 6 times to read codes out of the second DME.
All codes originating from DME #2 should start with 2 flashes

Good Luck!

[2001740il]

Have a code reader and there are no codes.

[8eights]

Wiggle some wires while it's running to try to reveal the issue, Maybe something is loose or even a hidden fuse, They are intermittent at times.

[2001740il]

Am I right in believing that when the fuses in the trunk fail and when they fail the starter will not crank vs starter will crank but no start?

[Timm]

There are two 'fuseible links' that are connected to the right-hand battery, one in a sleeve the other in a plastic assembly. These fail in mysterious ways and the only sure way to rule them out is to replace them.

http://www.meeknet.co.uk/e31/Timms_B...use_Finder.htm

[dragon850]

Am I right in believing that when the fuses in the trunk fail and when they fail the starter will not crank vs starter will crank but no start?

Car will still crank but no fire if one of those fails. Look up my recent thread on random no start.