Car starts, splitters then dies for an hour

Did you figure this out? I have a 2012 535ix and its doing the exact same thing. I've had a power relay replaced but that didn't solve the issue.

Hey man! Not yet, but it's at the dealership right now. Are you getting any codes? I recently got a P15DF code which states that perhaps there is something wrong with the high pressure fuel pump. Check for codes or take it to dealer. I've had my crankshaft position sensor replaced as well as the rail pressure sensor. Fuel pump is next

I'm only getting codes for my EVAP circuit voltage, which shouldn't stop the car from starting. When I clear the codes, they don't come back until the next time it does this. I've had it to a shop twice but both times they couldn't get a repeatable stall. I'm suspecting something in the fuel system as well. If you remember, let us know what ends up working for you. I haven't found much out there for this exact problem.

I will update you as soon as I hear back from the dealership! Have you gotten the EVAP fuel sensor/fuses/wiring tested and checked? Maybe that'll help? Also, what code is it? I'll update you if I find anything on it

Thanks man, this is driving me crazy haha. I had the car into a shop but i'm not sure if they checked that. I had a code for a couple circuits with low voltage so they replaced the relay responsible for those. The codes are P2419, and P240B. I also got a random C342D code last time it stalled, but like the other ones, it hasn't come back since I cleared them.

Hi! So I have an update on the car. They checked the DME, wiring, engine grounds and everything was fine. They connected the low pressure pump to a gauge and checked the pressure at idle for 2 days. The pressure was 2.2 bar whereas the actual spec indicated that the pressure should be 5.5+ at idle. So they changed the low pressure fuel pump and I just got the car back. We'll find out in 3-4 days if this solved the issue (since the car originally was shutting off every 3-4 days but was running fine otherwise)

Did that end up fixing your issue? After doing a ton of looking around and taking my car to a local mechanic that isn't solely a German shop (thought a fresh set of eyes would be a good idea), he told me he'd be surprised if it wasn't a sensor that was beginning to fail, and he sees this type of behavior a lot with Mass Airflow sensors and Crankshaft Position Sensors American vehicles. So I went ahead and ordered a MAF sensor (continental from ECS) and replaced it. Since then, haven't had one issue. Rough idle is gone and its been over three weeks since I've had a no start. I was having the issue every 5ish days up until I changed that sensor. Just wanted to put this out there in case someone else has the issue. I have a contact so I got the sensor cheap, but the normal cost for that part is less than an hour of time at the dealer, so it's worth a shot.

That did fix my issue! Glad you got yours figured out as well! I already had my CPS sensor replaced when this started happening. Yup, hope our posts helps someone else in trouble too! Congrats on getting your car back to the way it's supposed to be :)

Hey guys! So this just happened to me last night for the first time. Started the car up fine this morning. I have the same BMW as you Kunal. Sounds like you guys both had the same issue but two different things fixed it. Fuel pump and MAF sensor. I have an appt at the dealership next week but they charge $150 just to diagnose the car, how can I find out which one it is that needs to be replaced? Now that it's been a few months after both of your issues how is everything now? What advice could you give me for this situation. Thank you!

Hi Reid. My advise would be to get a diagnostic tool from Amazon, they're pretty cheap and will give you the codes that the car is throwing. Depending on the code it could be any number of issues. If your code matches mine then it's definitely either the high pressure pump or the low pressure pump. But if you don't want to get the tool and if you have CPO or extended warranty then they'll waive the diagnostic fee if the problematic part is covered. No issues after that, hang tight it's a pretty quick fix either way!

Thanks for getting back to me so fast. I'll try to grab that off Amazon today. Once I get the codes I'll throw them up here to see what's up.

No worries. I was bored at work anyway lol I also know how anxious you must be feeling waiting for some kind of direction on this so didn't want you to go through what I did haha Good luck! Keep me posted though, curious to know the reason behind your issue!

It's so funny too I was reading your very first post ayou put out a few months back and I'm like "WTF That's exactly what's happening to MEEE!!" Lol I just order a diagnostic reader and it should be here tomorrow so yes definitely anxious to know what's going on. Will reach out tomorrow.

I used a code reader and it was throwing out a lot of evap codes, which wouldn't stop the car from starting. I took it to two Indy shops: first shop was a German only shop and they did like three hours of poking around and replaced a relay and said it should be good to go. Then I took It to a local guy that works on everything and he said burried in my codes was a MAF which is common on all vehicles. My advice is to pull your Codes and see if it says anything that would relate to starting. MAF won't always trigger a code. If you can't get anything from the codes, take it to a shop and have then look at it. If it is a MAF, order the Continental replacement from ECS and an air filter, it'll take you 10 minites to replace and save you hundreds of dollars.

So I got the scanner today... and there are no pending codes and no stored codes that come up. Ugh!!! I have not had an issue starting the car since that day, however I have not driven it since that day either as I'm nervous to get stuck somewhere lol. I have an appointment with bmw dealer on Monday next week to see... I guess I'll just wait to see what they say. Very frustrating! I hate not knowing things and feeling like I'm getting stiffed at dealerships. Appreciate all the help guys

If you remember, give us an update when you get the car back.

Alright guys, so BMW had my car for 3 days and they couldn't replicate the issue I was having. They said they "checked" everything but didn't find anything wrong. I got the car back this past Wednesday and no issues until last night. Yesterday was extremely hot and humid here in Boston and I took my car for about an hour drive from where I live and back. Let my car settle for about 30-40 minutes and right before heading out for the night same issue only this time when I hooked up my sensor I got an error code for the first time p15df. Low pressure fuel pump. Trying to get an appt back into BMW to replace unless this is a very easy job and I can save money elsewhere. Let me know what you guys think

Kunal, looks like same code came up for you, it was replace and you haven't had any issues since. What can I expect this to cost?

Hi Reid, Yup same code! So they'll keep the car on a pressure guage for a day and figure out if the issue is with the HPFP or the LPFP. They'll then replace it within a couple of days and you're good to go! Under CPO it's covered completely. Out of CPO, I think it'll be $3-4k. Are you in the Boston area? If you're going to Herb Chambers on Commonwealth then contact Higor Texeira - he's a service advisor and an amazing guy! You can let him know I referred you

My car stalled 2days ago I have it towed to my house because it won’t move anymore from where I was stuck but the following day I start my car and everything was normal but I’m afraid to drive it to work so I have an appointment to bmw dealer this coming Monday and see what they say and thank you guys for all the info and I will keep everybody update for future reference.

Thanks Kunal, they replaced low pressure fuel pump over the weekend got the car back this past Monday. No issues yet, ran me just over $900 for parts and labor.

Good news, Reid. Enjoy you car without stress finally lol Should be fine now I think. Ah, I see. I think for both the pumps it runs over 2-3k then

Guru, If it's the same issue then it's usually a scheduled reoccurrence. Like it would happen every certain period of time, so as long as you plan your days around that it should be fine. That's what I did haha

Hi Reid/Kunal, Can you advice what tool you have used to read the codes please?

Vinny Best Answer I have a 2009 BMW 535i xdrive While driving my car it stalled out and it does it 2 -3 times a day and if i unhook the negative from the battery for 15 seconds it'll start right back up I have not been driving it I ordered a fuel pump driver module. I also had the fuel pump replaced and I also did research and seen that people got the high pressure and low pressure fixed and it didn't work. My guess some with the module not giving it enough volts/power what do you guys think???