Engine cuts off randomly

Messages
60
Likes
0
Location
Tallahassee
#1
My car (92 325i) has been acting up lately. The enigne randomly cutoffs while I'm drving or it stalls out when I'm at a stop. Now I've taken it to the BMW mechanic in my area, but they cant seem to figure out what is wrong with it. They've changed my DME, crank sensor ands even 2 coils. I had new plugs, fuel and air filter and a new fuel pump. I picked up my car yesterday after about three weeks in the shop and $1600 for the parts and labor only to have the same problem after driving less than three blocks. I'm going to try to get a refund of most of my money, but I was wondering if any body has any idea what my be wrong with it. Since it happens intermittenly, the DME does not give any error code. Thanks.
 
Messages
11
Likes
0
Location
Ireland
#2
Hey, I have a 98 318is and it kept cutting out on me while i was driving, or when i was stopped at lights, or whenever the hell it felt like it! At first the mechanic thought it was the camshaft sensor and so replaced it. This seemed to work for two weeks but then it started cutting out again. Brought it back and it turned out there was a problem with the computer in the car. A wire in the EWS system kept shorting which caused the engine to shut down. He had to replace this (luckily he could get a second hand one from another car), but when you change the EWS you have to change the immobiliser as they are linked to each other (or something like that) and it means you have to get a new key too thats coded to the new EWS system. Anyway, don't know if it's the same problem you had but it seems to have worked and the car hasn't cut out since. It is quite expensive if they have to buy the parts new (over €1800) but luckily my car was still under warranty.
Good Luck
 
Messages
60
Likes
0
Location
Tallahassee
#4
Thanks Angelica. The mechanic's STILL working on it. He can't seem to figure out what the problem is. I'll try your suggestion and I'll update on any luck or not I have with that. I'm not sure what the EWS is, but maybe the mechanic does. But thnx for the response.
 
Messages
60
Likes
0
Location
Tallahassee
#6
It seems like the 'problem' afflicting my baby is of the most random type - my luck!!!. I have taken it to every certified BMW shop in my arae including the BMW dealership and no one can tell me what the problem is. I have picked up the car a cpl of times after the 'specialists' thought they had fixed the problem but the problem came back after a cpl of days. At this point they have checked virtually everything checkable and all the 'everything' seems to be in excellent conditon (which makes getting rid of the car a hard decision) but the car is really undrivable until the problem is fixed. I just wanted to report that there was nothing to report. Thnx for all the replies.
 
Last edited:

DMyers764

New Member
Messages
3
Likes
0
Location
California
#7
Same Problem with my 2002 325it

I had the same problem with my 325it wagon three months after I got the car brand new. I was looking at my paper work and the service code was 1354004800. This is all I know and they never told me what the problem was or why it happened. It was strange..just driving down the street and the car died and would not turn over. Knock on wood it has not happened again, but if I were you I would go back to the dealer and demand that they repair the car. If I were you, I would document everything. Good Luck.
 
Messages
51
Likes
0
Location
Boston, MA
#9
My Z3 coupe with a 2.8 has a similar issue on very cold Boston mornings until its warm. I've posted the issue on the Z3 board but it looks like few other people have had the problem, and I've simply learned to deal with it. Of course, my issue is only at idle, and the car seems to 'catch' itself before it cuts out entirely (despite a momentary drop in the RPMs to almost none, it quickly returns to normal), and does this every thirty seconds or so until warm.

Bringing it in on Friday to have the drivers side window fixed (suddenly won't go down, but if I push it, it will go up...off its tracks?!?!?) and will see if they have any thoughts then.
 

ben54

New Member
Messages
2
Likes
0
Location
HI
#10
I'm having a similar problem with my 04 325i. I noticed that when I come to a stop or am moving slowly in traffic, the idle drops below 500 rpm. Doesn't happen all the time, but happens frequently enough to be a concern. I'm taking her in today to see what the problem could be. I was told over the telephone that there was a recall related to the ignition, but that my car was not in that recall pool. I hope they can figure this out.
 
Messages
60
Likes
0
Location
Tallahassee
#11
so I finally got my car back after about 10 months in the shop. The problem was actually with the computer in the car. Apparently, like Anjelica said, the computer would short out or something causing the engine to shut down momentarily. What is a msytery is why the problem remained after replacing the DME (4 in total). Finally, a diagnotic report of the fault was sent to the BMW London offices and they were able to identify the fault and send back a different code to be programmed into the computer which immediately solved the problem. I'm glad to have my car back and thanks to all those who contributed.
 


Top