Intermittently shuts off while driving and will not start?

THEREALPEACH

MEMBER
1993 BMW 316
1.6L
4 CYL
2WD
MANUAL
250,000 MILES

I started having this issue a couple months ago on my way to work. My car shut off while driving and wouldn't start back up for about 5 minutes then was fine, a week later the same thing happened again. It didn't happen again until just the other day it started fine, drove about 2 minutes to get food and wouldn't start back up but this time I had to leave the car where it was, I tried it later that day and the next day and still didn't start. I went down with a truck to tow it home the following day, tried to start it first and it fired right up which is annoying because I can't troubleshoot it easily now that it starts fine again. Battery seems fine, so must be a fuel, spark or electrical issue? Just don't know what would cause it to only happen on the odd occasion. The first two times it was cold and wet out and the last time it was hot and dry. Any ideas would be much appreciated :D

1 Reply

KEN L

MASTER CERTIFIED MECHANIC
42,959 POSTS

I am assuming the engine cranks over but does not run? If so when you turn the key on without cranking the engine over can you hear the fuel pump work in the tank for about five seconds? Also, when the engine will not run can you use starting fluid to see if it will run for a brief moment? We need to check if the engine has spark this video will help:

https://youtu.be/baq_aEWNQ0Y?si=_ArtIcLIgqeOpVd1

This guide can help as well:

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/car-not-running-advanced

If when the engine doesn't run, and you have no spark, I would swap out the crankshaft angle sensor. I have seen this sensor go out and cause the problem you are having. Check out the images (below). Let us know what happens and please upload pictures or videos of the problem so we can see what's going on.

Images (Click to make bigger)