Member
Good morning BMW fam, so yesterday I went to start my car and it started then stalled instantly. I tried to start it again and it did the same thing. Im thinking's its some type of combustion (spark or fuel) problem so yesterday I changed all the spark plugs (which I've been waiting to do anyways). I was hoping this would fix it but it didn't. So now I am unsure what to do next and any thoughts would be very helpful. If I have to get it towed to a shop I will, but would prefer to fix it myself. Below is a link to a video of me trying to start it this morning and shows how it starts up then stalls. Thanks so much! And I changed the fuel pump back in July so I don't think that's the problem, because when I was changing the spark plugs yesterday the smell of fuel was present lol.
https://youtu.be/7iumGniVzjM
Member
Fuel pump.
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The law does NOT determine "right" from "wrong". They are unrelated.
If you put cheap parts on your car, you will soon have a cheap parts car.
Member
Try starting with the MAF disconnected. A bad MAF may cause your symptoms...
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Artifically Aspirated
Moderator
Go to Autozone or O'Reillys and borrow their fuel pressure tester.
When you are cranking the engine it should read 50+ lbs.
Have you tried to step on the gas while starting it?
Member
I bought the fuel pump for O'Reillys and there is a lifetime warranty on it so if it is the fuel pump I can get another one. I will first try by taking out the MAF sensor out and see if that does anything. If that doesn't work I will borrow a fuel pressure tester and test the fuel pressure. And I have never tried stepping on the gas while I crank it, do you think I should give that a try? And thanks for all your replies so far guys!
Member
Just unplug the connector for the MAF. No reason to remove it completely. You will have to clear the check engine light it will cause after this most likely...Originally Posted by daves540i
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Artifically Aspirated
Moderator
It worked for me when my MAF crapped out. Disconnecting it should also be tried.
Member
Make sure you don't disconnect/connect it when the engine is running!
Ed in San Jose '97 540i 6 speed aspensilber over aubergine leather. Build date 3/97. Golden Gate Chapter BMW CCA Nr 62319.
Member
Okay guys so I just got back, unplugged the MAF sensor, and all I got was the car turning over but not starting. Im gonna go to Autozone tonight and get a fuel pressure tester because the symptoms are starting to look a lot like a bad fuel pump. Ill keep you guys updated.
Member
UPDATE:
I changed the fuel pump yesterday and that did not fix it. With that being said, the fuel pump is not even turning on. I thought maybe it was a fuel relay and went and bought one today. I tried that but that didn't fix it either. As far as I am aware the fuel pump is still not turning on. Any other thoughts on what I should do? If not I'm going to get her towed to a shop.
Artifically Aspirated
Moderator
There are 2 fuses in the fuel pump circuit, did you check both?
Did your battery recently die?
Member
How exactly can you check them? I took one out put the new one in and then did the same with the other. My battery died today while I was trying to crank my car.
Member
check them with a multimeter, either by ohming them out, reading voltage across the fuse for a voltage drop test, or probing both sides of the fuse. best is to pull the fuse, eyeball it and ohm it out. cranking the car til the battery dies isnt a good work practice. i take it you never got a fuel pressure gauge and are attacking the problem by throwing parts at the car?
Member
I don't have a multimeter and think I am done messing with it. I never got a fuel pressure tester but there was no pressure in the fuel line when I changed the fuel pump yesterday. I know the fuel pump is not turning on and I am unsure what to try next.
Member
So then how does it start and then die out of there is no fuel pressure?
Member
Sorry I didn't mention this earlier but now it doesn't even start up, it just turns over.
Having No Trouble Here
BMW CCA Member
Codes? Nobody has told you to read the codes? Slackers!
2003 M3CicM6 TiAg
2002 540iT Sport Vortech S/C 6MT LSD TiAg
2008 Audi A3 2.0T DSG (the daily beater)
2014 BMW X1 xDrive28i (wifemobile)
Former:
1985 MB Euro graymarket 300SL
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Member
basic multimeter is <$10. if ones gonna diy, it should be in the toolbox. otherwise youll end up doing what youve been doing all thru this thread, guessing, assuming and throwing parts at the car.
Member
Usually you can tell by looking at the fuses. If you can't, you can swap fuses with those of the same amp rating from other circuits, preferably from ones that you know are working.
Last edited by R Shaffner; 02-24-2019 at 12:05 PM.
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