1991 318is Engine not starting/puttering out/running for a few seconds then off.
 

:mad: Ill make this short and brief as possible...i have searched dozens of forums and explored alot of options with no luck.

Couple weeks ago i was driving and my car seemed not to want to accelerate at about 80 km with the pedal fully depressed and seemed to be slowing down. It went away...so yesterday I start my car and it starts for a brief second then dies down dropping rpm rapidly. Started it again and it ran fine....on the highway today the car completely dies and will not start. I get the car towed to the local shop and once they drop the car off i get inside and the car starts fine..10 seconds later it stops and will not start again.

I remove back seat, remove the fuel pump, test it with 12 volts and it engages. Not a problem there. Fuse number 11 ( fuel pump fuse ) is fine. I didnt check to see if there was 12 volts to the fuel pump from the fuel pump connector as the car does start peridically and i can hear the back pump engage.

I have tryed to find various sources as to where this DME relay is located with no luck...maybe somebody can help? I did check all the relays under the steering, by the firewall and in the fuse box and they all click over and are running fine. I would still like to know where this relay is located.

Never had any problems with this car...286000k running solid, every service record 5000k to 50000k and after that 2500k every service record as well. Injector seals were replaced, injectors checked out fine and in amazing condition. There seems to be pressure in the fuel rail at the engine, i havnt checked the actual psi but it seems to be very strong.

Called a few bmw techs that i know..they said could be the TPS sensor..but that doesnt explain it starting occasionally. MAF sensor i believe is fine as well, i cleaned it as well with all the intake and manifold a few months ago. Checked all vacuum lines they are all in good shape...i am losing my mind hopefully someone can tell me something.

I do not have any check engine lights on...i will check tommorow if it recorded anything on the OBD1 computer.

Any help is appreciated...im leaning towards TPS or DME but i need the location of these and how to test these if possible? Also i have heard there might be an external fuel pump along side the one in the gas tank ( when i turn my key to on it is coming from the left rear, it is quite loud ( apparently it means failing ) ) yet i can not comfirm how to get to this fuel pump or if my model has 2...or just the one.

I had a problem a while back where my idle was very erractic..and after 5 days in the shop changing injector seals, cleaning my whole engine, checking everything nothing gave in..then i took apart my ecu and noticed that the ecu was cracked ( guess due to the banging or ware and tare of the glove compartment ) i didnt replace it yet it kind of just fixed itself. Is it possible the ECU is giving me this trouble?


Thank you for your time..hopefully i can get some responses quick here.
much appreciated.