engine dies!

[CharlesAFerg]

Recently it's been quite difficult every 10 or so times to start the car, repeated turns do nothing for about a minute or two.

Yet, today, while I was driving, i braked for a guy slowing down in front of me, engine dies - electrical is still on, but it died.

Restarted without an issue, happened again 30 seconds later.

I don't want to risk it, and I'm really curious now - because I just got new spark plugs, but I need a few more starter system parts.

Also, I think it is the alternator, but my m20 has s squealing belt right up front, and tightening the belt doesn't help. Sounds like squeaky bearings, and it's always there - but loudest when cold. Recently it's been silent, then after about 10 seconds of running the car it starts, but EXTRA loud.

I think the cold weather is getting to my car again.

suggestions?

[///Sniper535]

whens the last time your crank positioning sensor was changed?

[pong]

same symptoms for me...

[Blitzkrieg Bob]

It not likely the alt.

I'd check they Idle control valve & TPS...and the electrical terminals for them.

also check the fusible link terminals, if they become loose they will shut the car down.

[Barney Paull-Edwards]

Out of curiosity, what could be making that noise, that metallic bearing noise - not a screeching belt noise, but definitely close. More metallic.
Try the long screwdriver trick to the ear, my bet is A/C compressor,see if noise changes with load.

[CharlesAFerg]

It not likely the alt.

I'd check they Idle control valve & TPS...and the electrical terminals for them.

also check the fusible link terminals, if they become loose they will shut the car down.

TPS?


whens the last time your crank positioning sensor was changed?
Is this procedure in the bentley? I've got a PDF version.

I'll be checking all this stuff tomorrow, thanks a ton guys.
Also I'm going to look for the fusible links, I forget where those are.

Any more suggestions?

[skotE34]

sounds like a fuel pump relay or pump itself, of course i know nothing about Bimmers. But I do know alot about other cars. Or if Bimmers have [I]this[I] it may be a idle switch. just a quick though

[CharlesAFerg]

Out of curiosity, what could be making that noise, that metallic bearing noise - not a screeching belt noise, but definitely close. More metallic.

[M20Turbo]

Out of curiosity, what could be making that noise, that metallic bearing noise - not a screeching belt noise, but definitely close. More metallic.

Double check that your belts are tight, a few weeks back I started having a hard time keeping the engine idling. When I would step on the gas I would get the screeching noise for a second or two then it would go away. Once the engine was warmed up (~10 min.) the engine would idle just fine. I finally tightened up the Alt. belt (which seemed tight until I really pulled on the belt and put a wrench to the bolt to secure the belt and discovered that the bolt was a little loose) and the screeching went away. The engine now dose not die on me when I first start it up. I love fixes like this!:)

[Zeppa]

Could be the waterpump bearing , check and see if theres any play or movement by trying to move fan around .

[skotE34]

could be the belt idler bearing or tensioner bearing