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Thread: E39 528i suddenly engine dies

  1. #1
    Join Date
    Nov 2018
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    Altona, Germany
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    E39 528i

    E39 528i suddenly engine dies

    for one month now my 528i /1996 car drive me crazy every day, i drive about 5.5 miles each way a day to work and back which is about 10 to 15 minutes drive, so when driving with max speed limits 60km/h and when descending and coming to a stop for traffic light or in a traffic jam the engine dies and before just it stop completly it sound like it is chocking for just a second or two, then the car wont start after that, i have to try many times till it ignite then it start, if the heater or lights are on it wont start, please please if someone knows what the hell is going on i would greatful.
    Note: when this happens the light of the engine along with the battery comes up for couple of seconds and then disappears.
    I toke it to a mechanich and he said that the head gasket need replace, i wasn’t convinced by that, so before spending too much money on that i would like to ask if anyone knows about this problem...
    Thank you so much in advance for your help.
    Last edited by kal528; 11-20-2018 at 07:45 PM.

  2. #2
    Join Date
    May 2013
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    Chicago, Illinois
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    2000 BMW 528iA
    If the battery light comes on I would check the connections to the battery to make sure they are nice and tight. Also, is the battery relatively new and in good shape? Could also be the fuel pump slowly dying. Since you're in Germany I don't know if you have auto parts stores like AutoZone like we have here in the states but they will come out and read the codes for you for free. Maybe the stores by you do the same. I doubt that a head gasket would be the cause if your symptoms are what you describe. The first thing I would do is get the codes read.
    2000 528i sport
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  3. #3
    Join Date
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    I agree about the battery. Your commute is slowly killing the battery. The drive time is far too short to charge it.

    Buy a smart battery charger, and keep it connected when at home.


    Ed in San Jose '97 540i 6 speed aspensilber over aubergine leather. Build date 3/97. Golden Gate Chapter BMW CCA Nr 62319.

  4. #4
    Join Date
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    1998 528i 5-spd 102K
    That distance is good enough to charge the battery.
    Perhaps your alternator is slowly dying.
    How many miles in your car?

  5. #5
    Join Date
    Nov 2018
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    E39 528i
    Dave thanks for your answer, unfortunatly they do not do things for free much here , but I'm going to try that somewhere..

    - - - Updated - - -

    207k km

    - - - Updated - - -

    It makes sence

    - - - Updated - - -

    207k km

  6. #6
    JimLev's Avatar
    JimLev is offline Artifically Aspirated Moderator
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    When you are coming to a stop put the tranny in neutral to see if the engine will keep running.

  7. #7
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    I#ve try that and it still dies...

  8. #8
    Join Date
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  9. #9
    Join Date
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    Unlock the cluster and monitor the battery voltage.


    Ed in San Jose '97 540i 6 speed aspensilber over aubergine leather. Build date 3/97. Golden Gate Chapter BMW CCA Nr 62319.

  10. #10
    Join Date
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    E39 528i
    Quote Originally Posted by cnn View Post
    Thank you it definitely gave me an idea about the possibilities.

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