E39 Help - Car Wont Start

Mikeini · #1 (**permalink**) 12-09-2002, 02:22 PM

Alright guys, my mom has a 1998 528i. We had to move her car to get closer to the fridge we have in teh garage, and it pulled out fine. The problem started when we went to turn it back on, it would have none of it. We barely managed to get it in the garage, and it immediately started to smell like gasoline. Later, we tried it again to see if it works, and the only way to start it would be to press the accelerator and turn the key at the same time. But the moment you let go of the accelerator, the engine died.

HELP!!!

she's hurt! just wanted to get your opinions as to what could have happened. Starter maybe? like if you just turn the key, it will kinda turn over, but never start.

mike

VikDiddy · #2 (**permalink**) 12-09-2002, 04:34 PM

yea that happened to me too in my 528i, I dont really know much about the mechanics of a car, but I think its something that keeps the car idling assuming its an automatic. We got it fixed at the dealership for pretty cheap, so you should check out your dealer.

Edit: I was able to drive it by slightly taping the accelator with my right foot and holding the brake with my left at stop lights. Hope this helps.

Mikeini · #3 (**permalink**) 12-09-2002, 05:38 PM

thanks for the response.. yea. . the brake thing although a good idea, doesnt work still, cuase the moment the foot releases off the accelerator, the car just dies, irregardless.

What did the dealer fix when you took yours in?

mike

Mikeini · #4 (**permalink**) 12-09-2002, 06:41 PM

btw - i forgot to mention this, the car has been sitting in teh garage withotu any action for a week. But last week, it was running perfectly. then all of a sudden .. WHAM!

hope that provides another piece to the puzzle.

mike

UrineMachine · #5 (**permalink**) 12-10-2002, 03:59 AM

Idle control valve?

Mikeini · #6 (**permalink**) 12-10-2002, 02:32 PM

you think it could be teh idle control valve .. if the car was running perfectly for only a week ago?

mike

JimmyDoanM3nomo · #7 (**permalink**) 12-10-2002, 03:00 PM

Sell it and get an E28

UrineMachine · #8 (**permalink**) 12-10-2002, 04:34 PM

It could be anything man! Seriously, anything can happen in a week of sitting.

bmwm3n528 · #9 (**permalink**) 12-11-2002, 11:25 AM

same thing happened to me, and of course i take it to bmw when were back home and of course they find no fault codes on there computer, confusing. Although it was embarrassing at the time, a guy in a new 3.2TL Type S was showin off and of course the bimmer wont start, i can imagine the smile on his face.

anyway, we just revved the hell out of it after waiting a few minutes, and it idled normal, really strange, no problems since.

BMW325i · #10 (**permalink**) 12-11-2002, 04:57 PM

guys -
got it fixed today. turns out, it was basically the idle control valve .. more or less. there was a problem with the idle valve, and it was replaced for free cuase its under warrenty.

anyhow, thanks guys.

mike

UrineMachine · #11 (**permalink**) 12-12-2002, 05:27 AM

Who called it

It was probably sticking.

VikDiddy · #12 (**permalink**) 12-13-2002, 05:43 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by UrineMachine
Who called it It was probably sticking.

No, i called it then you gave the technical term