RE: [bmw] '83 528e intermittently stalling or running VERY rough

[Tom Mathews <bimrone@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

I will second Stu's recommendation regarding a failed pressure regulator. Common problem. You can check the fuel pressure on the fuel rail to confirm. Fuel pressure should be ~ 40 psi. With a failed pressure regulator, pressure will be 100 psi and will cause the rich fuel mixture that you are describing and will make the car hard to start when the engine (or ambient temperature) is warm.

If the fuel regulator fails, fuel is generally not being returned to the fuel tank. So if you check the return fuel line from the fuel regulator, you will see that there is no fuel being returned. Be careful that you don't spill fuel and incinerate yourself. 

Regarding the switch problem, it may be a problem that the lock cylinder mechanism is incorrectly installed. To correct, remove and reinstall the lock cylinder.

Removing the ignition lock cylinder is a little tricky for a newbie to master. You might be better off having the dealer do it. It is not a big labor cost item since it can be done relatively quickly by someone that knows how to do it.

The car can be started from the diagnostic plug as well. If you research the archives you will find out how to do that. A word of caution regarding doing that: if you accidentally run the starter while the engine is running, you run the risk of ruining the flywheel teeth. The flywheel is is quite expensive to replace.

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Date: Sun, 14 Sep 2003 21:11:17 -0400
From: "magnets@domain.elided" <magnets@domain.elided>
Subject: [bmw] 528e ignition switch question

Help!

I have an '83 528e with an ignition switch problem:

My friends guess is that the contacts for the start are bad, I'm having to
jiggle the key a lot to get it to start. How do I get to the contacts to try
cleaning them? 

Alternately, can I run a wire from the diagnostic plug to install a start
button? I heard that one connector might engage the starter motor, if this
is true does anyone know which one?

Or is there something else I should try?

If anyone can offer any answers, or any other suggestions, I'd really
appreciate it.

TIA,

Pam 83 528e ~175k & David 84 318i (2.0l) 245k 

- -----Original Message-----
From: owner-bmw@domain.elided [mailto:owner-bmw@domain.elided]On Behalf Of
magnets@domain.elided
Sent: Sunday, September 14, 2003 8:30 PM
To: bmw-digest@domain.elided
Subject: [bmw] '83 528e intermittently stalling or running VERY rough


Help!

I have an '83 528e with  which  randomly stalls out after starting the car,
or at a stop light (usually after I enter the intersection, thus picture me
at rush hour, stalled in an intersection with a car that usually WON'T
restart). NOTE: this is a REAL intermittent problem , I can go a week with
not problems, then have it happen 3 times in one trip. Or have it happen
every day. Doesn't seem to happen at certain times, or with certain weather,
or just a hot engine (or cold engine) or one that's been rested for half an
hour -- it just happens completely randomly.

If I can get it restarted it will continue to try to stall, and if I can get
it going it is running VERY rough, there is a large plume of black smoke
(running overly rich). I have disconnected and plugged fuel supply to cold
start injector with no change in symptoms.
the archives?
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