BMW 3-Series E46 (1998 - 2005) - 03 2.0 Engine Stopping/Cutting out at random

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Sun 25 Oct 2009 09:14
03 2.0 Engine Stopping/Cutting out at random - Chrismarsh123
I really need some help here. My 318 has suddenly developed a big problem. When driving whether it be morning/night, engine from cold or after its warmed up, in any gear on any day will just cut out whilst on the move or at standstill. Before it goes i get a beep, then the battery light comes on along with the traction control light and the handbrake light which goes from red to yellow. Its been to my BMW dealer and they have charged me £270 to tell me they dont know what it is.

I have had a tensioner fitted to the top timing chain, and had the crank and camshaft sensors changed to try and resolve the problem and nothing. Im really hoping someone has had the same problem or at least knows someone who has. HELP! PLEASE!
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Tue 12 Aug 2014 12:33
03 2.0 Engine Stopping/Cutting out at random - Chris20

Same thing with my 3 Series 2002 320i. Cutting out became more frequent.

Garage couldn't find problem, saw 5th Gear on engine maintenance and bought Redex and used all of it, haven't had problem since. I think my problem was car usually used for short town journeys, 55.000 miles worth and Fuel Injectors had become dirty. Halfords sell Redex and after using it in 2 Tank fulls of petrol you may find this helps, also get better response form engine especially when accelerating up hills.

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Mon 26 Oct 2009 12:42
03 2.0 Engine Stopping/Cutting out at random - macavity
Might be worth phoning these people:
www.bba-reman.co.uk/catalogue/Products.aspx?catego...9
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Tue 27 Oct 2009 18:23
03 2.0 Engine Stopping/Cutting out at random - Chrismarsh123
How do you suggest these can help?
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Thu 15 Apr 2010 13:20
03 2.0 Engine Stopping/Cutting out at random - Donaldsonjordan
I really need some help here. My 318 has suddenly developed a big problem. When driving whether it be morning/night, engine from cold or after its warmed up, in any gear on any day will just cut out whilst on the move or at standstill. Before it goes i get a beep, then the battery light comes on along with the traction control light and the handbrake light which goes from red to yellow. Its been to my BMW dealer and they have charged me £270 to tell me they dont know what it is. I have had a tensioner fitted to the top timing chain, and had the crank and camshaft sensors changed to try and resolve the problem and nothing. Im really hoping someone has had the same problem or at least knows someone who has. HELP! PLEASE!

Hi Chris,

I currently have the same problem happening to my 03plate 318ti compact. Mine will cut out on me if i have been driving for just a few minutes or it just wont start at all. Then i have to sit and wait for between 15mins to 2 hours till it will start again. The same warning lights come on in my car aswell. At first i took it to the garage and they told me it was because of poor quality oil in my car, so they flushed the engine and put new oil in, it did not fix it. Then i done the same as you changed all my crankshaft and camshaft sensors but the problem is still happening, The guy at the garage says to replace my timing chains but he says he is not sure if that will even fix the problem! Please tell me you found a way to get it fixed!

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Thu 10 Jun 2010 18:50
03 2.0 Engine Stopping/Cutting out at random - PeteF

Hi all,

yesterday my 318i compact did exactly the same thing. My local BMW dealer has diagnosed the failt as the crankshaft sensor. Apparently during diagnostics, there has been a fault with the VANOS. I was told that either the timing chain tensioner has failed or the timing chain needs to be replaced! (£1300) Searches online suggest that the chain should last a good 150k+ miles before it needs looking at. Has anyone had any success with resolving this problem? Regards

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Thu 21 Apr 2011 18:57
03 2.0 Engine Stopping/Cutting out at random - JTEE

I have, what appears to be the same problem. The car on two or three occasions has cut out - always going slowly not on the motorway. All the lights on the dashboard are illuminated but the car starts straight away.

It has been in the garage for diagnostics but nothing has been found.

Has anybody found a solution? If it was the tensioners or cam tensioner wouldnt this show on the diagnostics?

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Thu 21 Apr 2011 20:19
03 2.0 Engine Stopping/Cutting out at random - Collos25

It sounds like a VANOS problem I suggest you ask on one of the BMW web sites.If it is the Vanos timing set up that is worn then you are in for a hefty bill so it is essential that you get a correct diagnosis.Pumps can also be a be problem and other problems difficult to find you really need a good BMW specialist.

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Sat 23 Apr 2011 09:14
03 2.0 Engine Stopping/Cutting out at random - JTEE

Thanks for you reply Andy,

The car has only done 50K miles, could the VANOS wear out in this time? Also, wouldnt it show on diagnostics?

John.

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Wed 2 Apr 2014 23:16
03 2.0 Engine Stopping/Cutting out at random - bmw garages suck

Hi, dunno if u have solved the problem or not, but i got that on mine, had dme unit replaced, crank/cam sensor, throtle switch, solonoid valves changed bill came to 2,5k yet no results

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Tue 12 Aug 2014 12:33
03 2.0 Engine Stopping/Cutting out at random - Chris20

Same thing with my 3 Series 2002 320i. Cutting out became more frequent.

Garage couldn't find problem, saw 5th Gear on engine maintenance and bought Redex and used all of it, haven't had problem since. I think my problem was car usually used for short town journeys, 55.000 miles worth and Fuel Injectors had become dirty. Halfords sell Redex and after using it in 2 Tank fulls of petrol you may find this helps, also get better response form engine especially when accelerating up hills.

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Mon 22 Jun 2015 22:58
03 2.0 Engine Stopping/Cutting out at random - John wayne
Exactly same problem as mine with exact same warning lights and the beeping and battery did u fix it and how please I'm in urgent need
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Wed 25 May 2016 22:47
03 2.0 Engine Stopping/Cutting out at random - audrey5212

Did you get this problem sorted? I'm having the same problem been advised to put new retiring chain in.

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Wed 25 May 2016 22:48
03 2.0 Engine Stopping/Cutting out at random - audrey5212

Did you get this sorted I'm having the same problem?

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Thu 26 May 2016 13:46
03 2.0 Engine Stopping/Cutting out at random - Cyd

Folks,

Have the crankshaft position sensor checked. Note that a faulty CPS often does not yield an eml code (hence it should always be checked in these cases using good old fashioned knowledge , not a computer).

In my own case, when I cranked the engine there wasn't even the slightest response from the tacho, but with a healthy cps it registers the cranking speed. that was my big clue.

google how to check the CPS

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Sat 28 May 2016 14:24
03 2.0 Engine Stopping/Cutting out at random - Want to sell it

Hi,

I have a 2002 318i CI SE be in the family for 12 years and yes now I have the same problem no reason for when it does it seems to do it once on a trip but then I could drive 100miles with no trouble at all, have had the crankshaft sensor changed by a friend of mine who works for Mercedes, also changed the ECU just incase, but no luck, friend completely baffled, and reading this forum seems like alot of people are to, maybe someone out there nows something as I also know a nother guy with a 2002 coupe 318i with a simular problem, he seems to think it maybe the coil packs but I can't see how that would cause such a problem, mind you did renew a coil pack recently when I changed the rocker cover casket which always leaks, maybe someone out there may have an answer, as it is rather dangerous whenh overtaking if the engine cuts and the dashboard lights up like a Christmas tree, squeaky bum time!!

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