HELP!!! E39 540i/6 intermittent loss of power

[540sx]

I joined this forum because I'm at a loos with my e39 540i (98). I've had this iss since i got the car where it will suddenly lose all power and will sputter/break up. I've replaced the maf, cam sensor, and fuel pump so far but nothing has fixed the issue. I have codes 2, 20H/32, and 139. Unfortunately my snap on scanner doesn't give me EXACT definitions for all the codes. I was hoping someone would be able to point me in the right direction.

Thanks in advance.

[dworthy]

Welcome to the Forum!

Well if a scanner doesn't give you the definition for the codes, what good is it? Something to think about, was there a seperate book for the codes? Perhaps with the model number of the brick, you can find it on google?

A known issue with the E-39 when it comes to power problems is the ignition switch, try this: Pull down the passenger side sun-visor, and open the mirror to turn the light on.

[540sx]

The scanner does give the definition to the codes, but one in particular is unspecified. Also, I'm not sure how the sun visor light has anything to do with this. Lol

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20H/32 is the unspecified code and i can't find it anywhere on the internet.

[dworthy]

The sun visor thing will tell you if the ignitions switch is the problem. If everything works fine with it turned on, then you know.

[540sx]

The light works fine while the car is turned on.

[shadowpuck]

hi - welcome to the forum.

we do have a few items to recommend so that we can help you - these are linked at the top of the forum:
https://www.bimmerforums.com/forum/s...cal-Help-Forum


https://www.bimmerforums.com/forum/s...ose-your-issue

In particular, when you say loses all power are you talking about lights/gauges/electrical items shut down or you lose engine power?
any reason you replaced all of those parts? has there been any diagnostics/troubleshooting performed thus far?
what module are those codes coming from?

as darin mentioned - and i think what he was trying to get at - is that e39's have a known famous failure mode where the ignition switch will fail in bizarre ways. one of the quick ways to test this is to do something like open the sunvisor and turn on the visor lights, then, see if anything else happens like the steering wheel adjustment motor moves, or mirrors move, etc....

[540sx]

I'm referring to a loss of engine power. The maf and cam sensor were replaced because they were triggering a CEL. The codes that i mentioned earlier are all ECM codes. The fuel pump was replaced because the fuel level sensor wasn't functioning. All of the knock sensors have also been replaced.

[328 Power 04]

Once I get home, I can look up your code.

[shadowpuck]

are you using the 16 pin OBD connector or the 20 pin connector in the engine bay? I'm just confused as to why snap on would be spitting out some unidentified codes....haven't had that happen on my old snap on yet....

at any rate - take a look at the links i posted so we can have a full picture of what's going on here....sounds like some parts swapping has taken place thus far. were these OE/OEM parts or aftermarket?

[540sx]

All parts that were replaced were replaced with oem BMW or Bosch units. Unfortunately i don't have the adapter for the BMW 20 pin connector. I'm using a snap on ethos pro.

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Also i apologize for the vague description of the issue. Give me a sec and I'll try to describe it to the best of my abilities.

[shadowpuck]

sounds good - it'll make it easier since we're not standing next to the car.

what happens if you scan it in Generic/OBD II mode? while we normally aren't fond of generic codes, i'm just wondering if it'll give us some clues.

[328 Power 04]

2 = Solenoid Valve DMTL Output (for tank leak module)
0x20h (also known as 32 in decimal values) = idle-speed control faulty
139 = thermostat jammed

[shadowpuck]

i knew something about that 0x20h code looked familiar....