Drove to grocery store and the car died there. Possible causes?

[pmac]

Drove to a store and came out 20 minutes later and my 320i decided not to start. Being late I had it towed the 2 miles home and will get to it this weekend.

She turns over sputters once or twice and dies. Where should I be looking first? There were no starting issues before (new starter last year) so this caught me out of the blue.

Check fuses first? Fuel system? I'm lost on how to troubleshoot this.

I doubt it's a major engine issue, I had the top end rebuilt 2 years (25,000 kms) ago. So it's likely either not get air or fuel or spark (probably not the last because it's unlikely all 4 plugs died and they were all replaced in the rebuild right?). How do I test for those 3?

[Morrison]

I was stranded at a grocery store once due to a bad fuel pump. I mean it just stopped pumping altogether. It may not be your issue but its easy enough to check if fuel is being pumped.

[jlevie]

Intake leaks or a fuel system problem would be my first suspicions.

[slammin.e28]

Print this out. Put a check next to what you have. Scan it and post it here.

Air __

Fuel __

Spark __

Time __

Don't over think it. Start simple.

[pmac]

Print this out. Put a check next to what you have. Scan it and post it here.

Air __

Fuel __

Spark __

Time __

Don't over think it. Start simple.

What's the best way to check for each?

[slammin.e28]

Air: Probably a given it's getting it, but make sure the filter's not clogged.

Fuel: I disconnect the fuel supply line and jump the fuel pump relay to power the pump. Have a bottle to catch the fuel. Now, this just verifies fuel is getting there. Next step would be to test the fuel pressure....but that's further along....

Spark: Remove fuel pump relay. Start car. Allow to die. Remove a spark plug. connect it to the corresponding wire and make sure it had a good ground. Have a friend/realitive/neighbor/hot girl from across the street try to start the car.

Question: Do you have a Bentley Manual? If not, don't answer...because you should be buying/downloading it if you don't.

[pmac]

Air: Probably a given it's getting it, but make sure the filter's not clogged.

Fuel: I disconnect the fuel supply line and jump the fuel pump relay to power the pump. Have a bottle to catch the fuel. Now, this just verifies fuel is getting there. Next step would be to test the fuel pressure....but that's further along....

Spark: Remove fuel pump relay. Start car. Allow to die. Remove a spark plug. connect it to the corresponding wire and make sure it had a good ground. Have a friend/realitive/neighbor/hot girl from across the street try to start the car.

Question: Do you have a Bentley Manual? If not, don't answer...because you should be buying/downloading it if you don't.

Excellent, thanks for the head start. I do have a Bentley, I'll use it to locate the areas you highlighted and go from there. Seems straight forward. Fingers crossed it's not the fuel pump, the rest I think I'm capable of handling.

[E30_fiend]

STart with the simple things. Check all your fuses.

Now when you say it won't start, does it turn over and not fire or does it not do anything when you turn the key.


Taylor

[pmac]

STart with the simple things. Check all your fuses.

Now when you say it won't start, does it turn over and not fire or does it not do anything when you turn the key.


Taylor

Turns over. Sometimes it fires and the exhaust sputters for a second or two, sometimes it doesn't even do that.

[rxp rider]

Fuel pump, my e30 and e46 have both left me stranded. Same issues as your having, cranks and fired the first few times only to die 20 seconds later.

Pull up your rear seat, and pull the panel on passenger side (4 screws). Put key to position 2 and listen for pump to kick in it should "whine/buzz"

[jlevie]

The fule pump only runs when the DME sees timing data from a rotating engine. So it can be difficult to tell if the pump runs. The best way is to tee in a fuel pressure gauge and jumper the fuel pump relay.

[Kershaw]

yeah, check the fuel pump. i've had a few die on me.

take the seat off, take the cover off, and then hit the fuel pump with a ratchet (or something similar) while cranking.

[pmac]

yeah, check the fuel pump. i've had a few die on me.

take the seat off, take the cover off, and then hit the fuel pump with a ratchet (or something similar) while cranking.

You mean just hit the top of the entire assembly correct?

I took the seat off and checked this out and couldn't hear anything.

I went through my Bently and can't figure out where I can disconnect the fuel supply line to test pressure.

[ChrisM]

Call AAA

Tow car to a shop.

[pmac]

Ok, so I gave it a smack and it started.

What does that mean? Should I replace the fuel filter and count myself lucky?