HELP! My Car Keeps Cutting Off!

[bedumon]

It's happened a few times now and It needs sorting.

While driving, the car just cuts off randomly. It just loses all power but all lights still work. It then won't start....it takes about 5 mins before it'll start. It clicks but won't turn over. I've also noticed that it has stopped heating up fully. The needle stays just shy of the exact middle.

This has left me really confused. Any advice would be great.

[Ant]

assuming no rubbish alarm/immob try a NEW D.M.E relay 1st dude.

[Brianmoooore]

What engine, and does it have an OBC with the CODE immobiliser function?

[bedumon]

It's a 1989 316i 2 Door Saloon. No alarm or immobiliser.......pretty standard stuff.

Just turning the car around and went from reverse to first with the car stopped, gave it a bit of gas and it clonked off. 5 mins later and still wont start. The car clicks fine and theres electricity, but will not turn over.

Very annoying!

[bedumon]

Try cranking it by shorting pins 11 and 14 in the diagnostic socket.

Will give it a bash but why?

[Grrrmachine]

By shorting pins at 11 and 14, you're bypassing anything to do with the ignition key or other cabin elements, and focussing purely on what's in the engine bay.

[bedumon]

So I just gave the shorting a try and it started instantly. Before I shorted it I tried regularly and it did not start.

What does this mean?

[e30mtec]

if youve had battery off recently check the coil lead is back on properly,movement can disconnect it and it might /might not start up properly after cutting out,depends if its loose and touching or not .......its on the positive side on the top

[bedumon]

I fitted a battery about 2 weeks ago and I just checked coil lead.......it was loose.

Could this be the reason it's cutting off?

[e30mtec]

I fitted a battery about 2 weeks ago and I just checked coil lead.......it was loose.

Could this be the reason it's cutting off?

definately mate, i did it with mine and it took about a week for me to realise what it was, everytime i turned or stopped quick the car would die, lights would be on etc and sometimes it would fire up perfect until it happened again,sometimes it wouldnt start until the lead touched the connection again,worth doing it up and taking it for a spin,and doing the manouvres that usually make it cut out and just see how it goes,hope this helps,,it was pretty frustrating for me aswell mate

[e30mtec]

A loose coil lead wouldn't explain it not wanting to swing over.

no but its worth a punt if its loose and it stops it cutting off,maybe its a lose coil lead and a failing starter,u never know eh

[Brianmoooore]

So I just gave the shorting a try and it started instantly. Before I shorted it I tried regularly and it did not start.

What does this mean?

If I'm interpreting what you write correctly, it probably means that there is a problem with the power feed to the ignition switch from the battery, or the ignition switch itself, assuming both the non cranking and the 'cutting out' has the same cause.
One of the smaller red wires from the battery + terminal goes to the fusebox, and then on from there to the ignition switch.

[bedumon]

I've just given the car a good blast and tested various manouvres after tightening the coil lead and it seems to be running fine .

Big thanks to all.

[bedumon]

I've just given the car a good blast and tested various manouvres after tightening the coil lead and it seems to be running fine .

Big thanks to all.

[e30mtec]

no worries dude, glad to hear its running fine again,bloody frustrating tho aint it ha ha

[Brianmoooore]

A loose coil lead wouldn't explain it not wanting to swing over.

[eltel]

[bedumon]

So just a quick question.

My car's driving fine now, but I wanted to know why exactly would a loose coil lead cause the car to cut off while driving? I would have thought a loose lead would stop the car from starting, rather than killing the car while driving.

[eltel]

it could be touching enough to make a connection but then as you drive the bumps and vibrations could cause it to move slightly as it is loose, then you loose your connection and loose your coil power and loose your firing engine