It started up fine but about two minutes down the road it shut off?

Tiny
TJ LARKIN
  • MEMBER
  • 2003 BMW 330
  • 6 CYL
  • 4WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 150,000 MILES
I am an ASE certified technician. I have 6 years in the field and I’m currently a shop manager. However, I have an issue with my car listed above 330xi that I can’t seem to solve. I’m hoping someone else may have some ideas. The car was driving fine until starting to have a stalling issue. It would start up fine but about 2 minutes down the road just shut off. Never had any check engine lights or anything. I knew some of the common issues with these cars, so I replaced the fuel pump and fuel filter as well as the 02 sensors, coolant sensor, crank sensor, throttle position sensor, and the MAF. The car started again and ran fine for about a week, maybe less. Now it cranks but doesn’t start consistently. Everything is connected and looks good. Still no lights on dash. And compression and spark are normal, and fuel is getting to the rail. I replaced the battery because it got wiped out in the process of trying to diagnose. So now I’m wondering if it’s been the alternator all along, but I don’t see a battery light on or any sign of a low voltage reading, and the car doesn’t really start without stalling for more than a few seconds.
Monday, August 8th, 2022 AT 8:07 PM

3 Replies

Tiny
KEN L
  • MASTER CERTIFIED MECHANIC
  • 47,602 POSTS
It sounds like the DME is going out. To be sure let's do a CAN scan, you can get a CAN scanner from Amazon for about $30.00. Here is a video to show you how. The thing is you may or may not get a code for the DME because the computer doesn't always tell you it is bad but if there is something else the scan can pick it up.

https://youtu.be/u-4syLc-ifQ

Here is a scanner link:

https://amzn.to/3o41KcZ

Here is the location of the DME in the diagrams below. Check out the diagrams (below). Please let us know what happens.
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Tuesday, August 9th, 2022 AT 9:09 AM
Tiny
TJ LARKIN
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
Thank you so much for the wonderful insight, Ken, I really appreciate it! I will let you know what I find out!
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Tuesday, August 9th, 2022 AT 9:15 AM
Tiny
KEN L
  • MASTER CERTIFIED MECHANIC
  • 47,602 POSTS
You are welcome. Please let us know.
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Tuesday, August 9th, 2022 AT 1:04 PM

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