sudden OFF of engine on freeway

[deeze30]

Driving home tonight on the freeway, going about 75mph on 5th gear when all of a sudden my car dies. Tach/rpm just drops to 0 and battery light and oil pressure light came on. NO CEL. Luckily i was able to exit on an off ramp right away.

The car was still ON as if it was just on ON position. I was listening to the radio and i was charging my phone before it happened. Waited a few mins and gave it a go and she started right up with no sign of bogging, power loss, or anything out of the normal. There were times when the weather was above 80 degrees and i would start her up and it would start but dies right away, kinda like its struggling to get fuel. At one point i had to give it some gas to idle. Might be a fuel starvation issue? battery issue? Fuel pump or rusty clogged fuel filter? Coil? Main relay? Crank angle sensor?

[packratbimmer]

Since it started back up, I would look at heat sensitive items. That said, the crank reference sensor (CRS) will go intermittently and will leave you stranded when/if it finally goes completely. Was it raining by chance? My CRS went when I splashed it with a puddle.

Your other ideas are sound ones - just start the process of elimination.

[deeze30]

Since it started back up, I would look at heat sensitive items. That said, the crank reference sensor (CRS) will go intermittently and will leave you stranded when/if it finally goes completely. Was it raining by chance? My CRS went when I splashed it with a puddle.

Your other ideas are sound ones - just start the process of elimination.

No it wasn't raining, although i remember i hit a dip on the freeway before it happened. Dont know if that had anything to do with it

[packratbimmer]

Is it fine now?

[deeze30]

Is it fine now?

Not yet. It seems like its showing more symptoms now.

Started the car up this morning with no issues. Later in the afternoon, i parked the car on our driveway (not the flat type). Started her up and it's now struggling and just cranking. It takes about 2 cranks with a little push on the gas to get her going. It seems like the car just catches itself and starts so idk if the gas pedal push is even doing anything. Kinda leads me to believe it may be the fuel pump. I try to listen to it cycling on ON position but no sound, not sure if its possible to hear the sound without going near it.

[packratbimmer]

Pop the back seat bottom up and remove the black panel on the right side (passenger). Should hear a nice steady vibration from the pump.

[RoDo]

Pop the back seat bottom up and remove the black panel on the right side (passenger). Should hear a nice steady vibration from the pump.

What exactly does it mean if you don't hear anything at key on? Not trying to threadjack but my '87 makes no noise at key on and I have removed the fuel pump cover. When I pull the fuel pump relay & jumper the terminals for 30 & 87 on the relay both fuel pumps (my car has a transfer pump & a main pump) operate.

[panmarcum]

Had a very similar problem with my e30 which I thought was the fuel pump, put a new one in, and on occasion would still cut out. ended up being the injectors wiring harness plug just in front of the starter had some how unclicked and partially unscrewed itself. Cleaned the plug and pins real good and reassembled and not had that problem again (2yrs)

[Sean S.]

Your problem sounds electrical in nature. Check the engine ground cable, make sure its tight and not corroded.
How old is your battery? Was it replaced recently? Check the ground connection there too.

I had my vert do the exact same thing to me once, problem ended up being the battery was drawn dead by simply driving the vehicle (radio on, etc) this was because the battery was not being charged because the voltage regulator in the alternator was worn down. Easy fix and the stall has never happened again. Good Luck!

Sean

[deeze30]

A lot of good ideas. In the process of troubleshooting right now. I wonder about the fuel pump sound as well, cause from any other cars i've driven before the fuel pump sound was noticeable but i have removed my seat and the cover and still no sound on ON position.

Also removed my battery and tried charging it on my charger and it was at 75% and the meter keeps spiking up and down. Maybe battery is dead? Battery has not been replaced by me at least, not sure if PO did recently either. I will try cleaning terminals and look into that injector wire harness

[packratbimmer]

You have to be cranking to actuate the pump or jump it at the fuel pump relay. It will not run in the ON position.

[StereoInstaller1]

It's the main relay.

Otherwise, the check engine light would be on

[StereoInstaller1]

Packrat is correct, DME needs to see CPS signal to turn on the fuel pump relay.

A quick test for that is fuse 11. Put a test light on 11, if it's lit when the car stops, it's the pump.

[deeze30]

Packrat is correct, DME needs to see CPS signal to turn on the fuel pump relay.

A quick test for that is fuse 11. Put a test light on 11, if it's lit when the car stops, it's the pump.

What exactly do you mean when the "car stops"? I took the fuel pump and gave it some cleaning, cleaned terminals as best as i can and now car wont start at all. I did the fuel line test. Removed the line going to FPR and tried to crank the car with a water bottle there and no fuel coming out of it.

[deeze30]

sudden OFF of engine on freeway

I tried to jump the fuel pump relay but nothing.



I have a 89 vert and i tried to see if the pumps are similar but they're different. I'm wondering why the early models have 2 lines going to the pump for the fuel while the late only has one line? Can i use the late model pump for my early?

UPDATE: I removed the pump and directly jumped it with a battery and it turns but weak compared to the late model pump i have, its noticeably stronger.

Early pump on left and late pump on right