2003 e39 keeps cutting out.

[Arde]

Aha! Limp mode perhaps says my psychic.
Limited Operating Strategy (LOS)
In the event of a serious fault in one or more of the sensors or their wiring circuits, Motronic will substitute a fixed default value in place of the defective sensor. This procedure is often termed limp home... When operating in LOS the engine may actually run quite well with failure of one or more minor sensors. Since the substituted values are those of a hot engine, cold starting and running during the warm-up period may be less than satisfactory. Also, failure of a major sensor, ie the AFS, will tend to make driving conditions less easy. Once the fault has cleared, Motronic will once more accept the live signal from the sensor.

 

[Redrumm3]

Do you have access to a scan tool to read the codes? With OBD2 you should be able to determine where the faults are. Looks to me like the AFM has taken a dump. You can try and clean it with AFM cleaner, but it will only be a temporary fix (if at all) because the problem usually resurfaces. I don't remember if this AFM has a wire or film sensor. Do you have access to another AFM you can hook up to see if it resolves the problem? No matter what, your going to need to clear the codes once the problem has been fixed.

 

[Barry.b]

Aha! Limp mode perhaps says my psychic.
Limited Operating Strategy (LOS)
In the event of a serious fault in one or more of the sensors or their wiring circuits, Motronic will substitute a fixed default value in place of the defective sensor. This procedure is often termed limp home... When operating in LOS the engine may actually run quite well with failure of one or more minor sensors. Since the substituted values are those of a hot engine, cold starting and running during the warm-up period may be less than satisfactory. Also, failure of a major sensor, ie the AFS, will tend to make driving conditions less easy. Once the fault has cleared, Motronic will once more accept the live signal from the sensor.

I got lucky finding a problem so quickly to be honest. As in my head I was maybe facing into fuel pump replacement or something or relays buried in behind the dashboard.
Anyway I will take out the AMF and see if can be cleaner and see if that works, otherwise it might need replacement.

 

[Barry.b]

I got lucky finding a problem so quickly to be honest. As in my head I was maybe facing into fuel pump replacement or something or relays buried in behind the dashboard.
Anyway I will take out the AMF and see if can be cleaner and see if that works, otherwise it might need replacement.

I have a Carly dongle which allows me to go in and clear some codes.
Hopefully that might work.
Also I now know that if I need to bring it to a garage at least I can actually drive it there now ( with the AMF unplugged)

 

[Ohmess]

I have not had any luck cleaning the mass air flow sensors in my e39s. And they are expensive parts to replace.

 

[Arde]

I got lucky finding a problem so quickly to be honest. As in my head I was maybe facing into fuel pump replacement or something or relays buried in behind the dashboard.
Anyway I will take out the AMF and see if can be cleaner and see if that works, otherwise it might need replacement.

Nah, a fuel pump install is a 15 minute job. Just remove the rear seat and there it is. Mine quit after 120k miles and died suddenly. The E36 lasted 260kmiles.

 

[Barry.b]

I have not had any luck cleaning the mass air flow sensors in my e39s. And they are expensive parts to replace.

I just bought a new one on sale with 76% off.
( I tried cleaning mine and managed to break off one of the sensor wires )

A brand new part with 76%off of the list price.
I just thought I’d repeat it just incase anyone from walloth and nesch was watching and looking for sale price inspiration !

 

[Ohmess]

Damn that's cheap. Well done. Report back once you get it installed.

 

[Barry.b]

Damn that's cheap. Well done. Report back once you get it installed.

Okay guys
I have good news
My e39 has decided to behave again. I replaced the Air flow meter with a new one . I turned the key and she started straight away it was a bit lumpy though ( as expected) I plugged in my Carly OBD dongle and connected my phone up to it through WiFi . I was able to scan the car then for fault codes and clear them once detected. I still have 2 faults showing, but they are not causing a problem and it is running smoothly.
Anyway thanks again guys for all the helpful tips !!!
It saved me a lot of head scratching.
Deep down I think she was just jealous of all the time I’d been spending working on my E9

 

[Arde]

Yes, but according to the 6th image I can tell you that your door is ajar.

 

[Barry.b]

Yes, but according to the 6th image I can tell you that your door is ajar.Yes, but according to the 6th image I can tell you that your door is ajar.

Ah yes !
“When one door closes another door opens”
or something like that