Drove the car without any major breaks for 1500 miles- only one issue

[Gr33n36]

Drove from Colorado to san francisco. Only issue I had was after like 5 hours of driving the engine shut off. I am not sure what happened but I went to pass a semi and I got no power. I looked down and saw my RPM was at 0 and wouldnt move, I tried to turn off the climate control to get more power but that unit was dead, wouldnt turn on or go up/down.

So I pulled over and restarted the car, no issues.

Any ideas?

[jclausen]

I would start by scanning the car for faults and make sure the battery cables are tight

[Eric93se]

Probably not the batt or alternator. Could be the fuel pump. The only time my car conked out on the highway and then restarted was due to leaking injectors, so if your car sat for a long period or you don't run injector cleaner then I would start using it a couple times a year. Check that the engine ground cable has clean connections and are tight, located below the exhaust manifold.

[Gr33n36]

Probably not the batt or alternator. Could be the fuel pump. The only time my car conked out on the highway and then restarted was due to leaking injectors, so if your car sat for a long period or you don't run injector cleaner then I would start using it a couple times a year. Check that the engine ground cable has clean connections and are tight, located below the exhaust manifold.

this was my thought as well, I drove another 19 hours after this and had no issues. However, I made sure the tank was at least half full, as I was told the gas in the tank helps keep the fuel pump cool (and functioning).

is there anyway to test the fuel pump? I imagine that testing it and replacing it are not that different

[Eric93se]

How much gas was in the tank when it died?

To test the pump use a fuel pressure tester. The m52 engine has a Schrader valve on the front of the fuel rail.

[JDStrickland]

this was my thought as well, I drove another 19 hours after this and had no issues. However, I made sure the tank was at least half full, as I was told the gas in the tank helps keep the fuel pump cool (and functioning).

is there anyway to test the fuel pump? I imagine that testing it and replacing it are not that different

Low Fuel Levels are not an instant kiss of death, more like a slow agonizing decline in health. Fuel does act as a heat sink, this is true. But low fuel does not kill like a bullet, it kills more like 3 packs of Marlboros a day. Once the death spiral begins, you should be proactive because the end can come at a very inopportune time.

Since you finished the trip and the return, smart money would at the very least acquire a fuel pump and keep it at the ready. You could test it in place, but the opportunity to make a mess that would leave gasoline smells in your car are very high. If you take it out to test it, you might not test it in its failure mode and this could cause you to put it back in.

[jclausen]

When I bought my car the first thing I replaced was the fuel pump I didn’t want any surprises

[Gr33n36]

what do I need to replace in the fuel pump? whats the part number? I dont want to buy a new assembly if I dont have to

[shogun]

Bosch Fuel Pump P/N: 0580314076 or equivalent aftermarket, fits BMW 325i, 328i, M3, 330i, 330Ci, 325Ci, 318i, 325is, 325xi, 323i & more

[Gr33n36]

thank you. I hate to ask but I have had FCP euro send me the wrong parts three different times, so I make sure to come to the professionals when I need to be certain about my answer!