whats wrong with my E39?

[Madnos 0]

I have a 1998 540i e39, it sometimes seems as though the ignition sticks when I try to start it, when this happens it will idle roughly for a little while then cut out, generally if I leave it for a bit it may start OK, then after driving for awhile (tonight about 15kms) it will backfire a number of times, the problem comes and goes, I have taken it to the mechanic twice and so far he has replaced one of the coils and the ignition, but still the problem is there. I recently purchased and used a srs light reset tool and the problem only seems to have cropped up after that, can anyone offer any advice?

[kiwi535 538]

I have a 1998 540i e39, it sometimes seems as though the ignition sticks when I try to start it, when this happens it will idle roughly for a little while then cut out, generally if I leave it for a bit it may start OK, then after driving for awhile (tonight about 15kms) it will backfire a number of times, the problem comes and goes, I have taken it to the mechanic twice and so far he has replaced one of the coils and the ignition, but still the problem is there. I recently purchased and used a srs light reset tool and the problem only seems to have cropped up after that, can anyone offer any advice?

is your mechanic a BMW specialist?If not take it to one who can scan for faults

[Madnos 0]

is your mechanic a BMW specialist?If not take it to one who can scan for faults

Not a bmw specialist but tells me he has computer to scan for faults, guess you are right though, probably best option, just thought someone else may have encountered this problem and know what it is.

[RvT 9]

Don't quote me as it was a while ago but remember having irregular idle and motor cutting out on me on a 2000 e39 540. I did some searching and found that it was the MAF (do a google search on e39 + MAF) was dirty. You can replace at a huge cost or do a DIY clean yourself with a aerosol cleaner - again search will tell you what to use. I found a step by step web site with images so I just followed the instructions. It fixed it on my car. MAF is the sensor that sits in the air intake line.

Hope this helps

[kiwi535 538]

Not a bmw specialist but tells me he has computer to scan for faults, guess you are right though, probably best option, just thought someone else may have encountered this problem and know what it is.

there are a few e 39 540 folk here,wait for their responsesHope you get o the bottom of it

[Madnos 0]

Don't quote me as it was a while ago but remember having irregular idle and motor cutting out on me on a 2000 e39 540. I did some searching and found that it was the MAF (do a google search on e39 + MAF) was dirty. You can replace at a huge cost or do a DIY clean yourself with a aerosol cleaner - again search will tell you what to use. I found a step by step web site with images so I just followed the instructions. It fixed it on my car. MAF is the sensor that sits in the air intake line.

Hope this helps

Thanks for the advice I will look into it.

[Madnos 0]

there are a few e 39 540 folk here,wait for their responsesHope you get o the bottom of it

Thanks