Stalling BMW

Robert Technician Maryland Posted   Latest  
Resolved
Driveability
2003 BMW 330Ci 3.0L (M54) 5-spd
Stalls After Driving A While
Surge
Cools Off Runs Fine

Vehicle runs great ten or more miles. Starts surging, loss of power, restarts a few times, limps along a bit, stalls again, then just cranks. No dtc set, but after sitting a bit, fires right up, runs great. Cleaned throttle body, customer has replaced MAF twice he said for same issue, but only lasts a few months, or whatever. Had lean bank 1&2 dtc's when originally towed in, short term fluctuates at like -1.6, -3.1 at idle now, will go positive when excess air introduced. Gave it a lobotomy ( touched battery cables together), gonna drive again, see what's up. When it acted up on me, stalled and towed back to shop ( fired right up at that point) and I checked for DTC's… none present. Not much info provided for these cars. Feels like when a fuel pump is going bad, but I've not had it in the shop when a no start, just on the road once.. makes it hard to check for fuel. My first post here, any help is appreciated! Thanks.

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Interesting
Bryan Owner/Technician
Washington
Bryan
 

Before I got to where you said fuel pump. I was thinking it’s a fuel pump

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Robert Technician
Maryland
Robert
 

yeah, the more I think of it, I'm gonna hook up a gauge and run it. Excess static from service writer and customer kinda pulling initial thoughts away..

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Dennis Mobile Technician
Pennsylvania
Dennis
 

My gut says it’s a fuel pump. Replaced tons of these pumps over the years and they fail in a few different ways, I’ve experienced what you’re describing.

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Ilya Owner/Technician
New York
Ilya
 

Miles?

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William Owner/Technician
Virginia
William
 

I would most definitely have a fuel pressure gage on it and drive or let it run in the lot for a while and see what you get.

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Agree
Rusty Owner/Technician
Massachusetts
Rusty
 

A waveform of fuel pump current extracted with an amp clamp may quickly confirm a bum pump

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Agree
James Mechanic
New York
James
 

Is it possible the front oxygen sensor got switched.

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Varoon Engineer
Texas
Varoon
 

Is this vehicle a Direct Injected BMW? We've seen multiple issues like this where one of the High Pressure Fuel Pumps Fails. You're supposed to check the fuel rail pressure build up on Crank/Start and compare with the target fuel pressure. This is really common on the N63 Direct Injected Engine where it has 2 High Pressure Pumps.

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Varoon Engineer
Texas
Varoon
 

My apologies, I just saw the vehicle type in the post. Sounds like a Fuel Pump issue. Maybe try to look at the fuel pressure at the rail and see if it is within spec

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Dee Technician
Tennessee
Dee
 

Fuel tank may not be venting. Maybe wrong gas cap or odd fuel tank repairs gone wrong.

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Charlie Technician
Massachusetts
Charlie
 

There is a fuel pump control module behind the rear seat back on the passenger side. i have seen many times where the module cuts out when it warms up. You can test power and ground in and out to the pump from the module and determine wich one is failing.

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Lewis Technician
California
Lewis
 

find what's missing when it dies . forget the scan tool (for now) and start with the BASICS ! what's missing ? fuel , spark , injection . go from there . don't over think the problem , and again , START WITH THE BASICS ! as it's heat related , there's a big clue right there .

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Rick Technician
New York
Rick
 

the “check fuel pump/pressure” responses seem correct, but make sure it’s not a restricted exhaust. Sometimes that will give similar symptoms

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Robert Technician
Maryland
Robert Resolution
 

Ok, replaced fuel pump. Finally died at Idle, I reached to power wire to pump, had power when cranked, no rise in fuel pressure while cranking, no buzz anyway from pump. Replaced, all good now. Thanks for replies!

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