320is switches off during driving

[Look-aa]

Hi to everybody I'm Luca, alias Look-aa, Verona, Italy
My 320is in the last 2 days uses to switch off during driving: I think it's not dued to the electric system, 'cause the rev meter still works, and no warning lights are blinking on the cockpit. Just turning the ignition off and then on, the car still goes great...
I thought something about fuel: maybe the gasoline pump (but experience says me that the pump generally works or doesn't work at all) or simply any electric connection, because the car stops to run when i find holes on the road and sometimes it just switches off for just ½ second, then begins to work again..
Any suggestion Previous experiences

Greetings to all
Look-aa

[Jeroen]

Luca finally registered!

Well... welcome here!

When the engine cuts out immediately and without hesitation, I doubt it's a fuel delivery problem. You already describe it happens at bumps which makes me a bit more sure about my first guess... the two speed sensors on the gearbox bell housing. There you will found two identical sensors for engine speed and reference. Looks time me like one of those is about to break down and then your car won't run at all anymore. That's why I always keep a spare.

I'd buy at least one and try it on both positions. Even better would be to buy two new ones and keep the old ones as spare as one of them probably still works.

The part no is 12 14 1 708 619 and I believe they cost about 70 euros each

[Look-aa]

The part no is 12 14 1 708 619 and I believe they cost about 70 euros each

Only????

As you know I work also in a spare parts store, I'll try to find out the brand that makes them for BMW and save money

Do I have to buy them for sure? Did u get the same problem Jeroen?
I know what sensor you mean: I remember there are 3 sensors, one microscopic and two identical on the flywheel bell, right?
Can I try them before buying a new one, maybe using an oscilloscope to identify wich one is and if I'm wasting 70€?
Did you see the wheel arches?

Thanks thanks thanks, I go to work in a few minutes, see you mate!

[Jeroen]

Yep, expensive stuff!

Well not 100% sure but at least 90%. You can test them using an oscolloscope... but that would probably mean you will have to do some driving with the scope on board with its intermittent occurrance.

Think this is a Bosch part, Bosch part should be (please check!) 026 121 0 002.

The problem I had was that the car didn't start at all, all of a sudden, without having done anything wrong before. Due to one of these!

Wheel arches?

[Look-aa]

I changed the bearings of the gearbox just one month ago: so it's better tomorrow i'll check those sensors: the impression is that a wire that is going to be damaged, and bumping it closes or open a circuit.
Actually, I thought at the first time about a relais: switching the ignition off and then on, you excite the little coil inside it and so the car begins to run again without any problem..
But tomorrow i wanna check those cheap sensors!!!

wheel arches: I sent you an email this afternoon. Check it please!
Good night,
Look-aa

[Jeroen]

Got that email!

Yes could be one of the relays... guess it may be cheaper to replace those two that are behind the coolant tank fitted onto the firewall as they control DME and fuel pump.

But I never experienced those working intermittently, believe they just break. But ya never know...

[Look-aa]

but... if one sensor on the gearbox doesn't work, the ECU doesn't have to work, and so rev meter.. am I right? I didn't have time to check this morning, and this evening I'll have to change a rear door ('cause someone - unknown - parked INTO my car trying to pass thru the rear door passenger side) and to meet the guy that will give me the black leather sport seats, front and rear
Maybe tomorrow morning...
thanks, anyway!

[Look-aa]

what about my last modifications in my profile? do they work?

[Look-aa]

no, they don't work..

[Look-aa]

Today I noticed one important fact: I used to fill the 320is with 20 or 30 euros of gasoline, but today I tried to fill up 50....
And car runs great!!!
So, what I think: with low level, the pump overheats, and then sometimes stops.
When gasoline is around the electric pump, it cools it and pump runs great.
is it possible? is it fantasy?

[Jeroen]

A definite maybe

How about the pick up filter in the tank being clogged?

[Look-aa]

Hi!
Pick up filter was quite clean, but I blew it with compressed air..
And I did an experiment: always to have in the tank at least 20 liters, and... no problem to signal!
And... How can i put my image in my signature like you, Jeroen?