tnixa

I have a 2006 530xi and it has been running fine except today it was about out of gas so I filled it up and then parked it at a slight angle down for about 2 hours outside (~20F temp today) and the car started fine but was idling rough but I tried to drive it anyway and it drove rough for about a mile and then I smelled something like burning rubber from the engine so I pulled over and checked under the hood but didn't see anything strange. The idrive had a Fuel Pump fault message which said I could continue to drive but to take it to the dealer. I continued to drive it and it seemed to run more smooth except for the transmission would not shift quite right. But I was able to make it home (~2 more milese). After letting it sit in the garage for a couple hours the car will not start.

turboawd

so the engine cranks over but it wont fire up?
what exactly did the message say?

tnixa

I tested the voltage at the fuel pump. There are three sets of wires. The first set from a thicker pair of brown and red wires and with the key off I am getting 1.60V and from the other two pairs of smaller wires I am getting 10.8V from both pairs. When I try to start the car I get 10.4V from the first set of wires and still 10.8V from the other two pairs. So it appears the first set are for the main power to the pump. The pump seems to make some noise but the car will not start. So I'm guessing I need to replace the fuel pump or maybe a blocked fuel filter could be the problem? Can I rule out relays and fuses?

pcy

If you are getting voltage at the pump, then I'd say fuses are fine.

See if you can check the fuel pressure (I am guessing the fuel pump is dead).
If I were you, I'd plan to replace fuel pump and the filter. It'll run you around $500 and 2 to 3 hours of work.


Fuel pumps are cooled by the fuel in the tank. Running the car near empty tank can put stress on a borderline fuel pump. Some people will argue that they run their car near-empty all the time and they didn't have any problems. I am not smart enough to understand why they'd do that (running the car near-empty) :-)

turboawd

what voltage do you get when you check your battery?
if you hear the pump kick on, i think you may have another issue.
does the engine turn over when you try to start?

tnixa

Voltage at the battery is 11.8V. The engine cranks but does not start. After the car has been sitting for awhile and I open the driver's door I hear more of a muddled sound coming from the fuel pump. This used to be a clear mechanical engaging sound.

I am leaning towards ordering both a pump and a filter. Does anyone have any tips on replacing these? I've seen some posts and videos and it doesn't look too difficult but don't think they were for an E60. My pump just has an electrical connector on the top. The filter just has a rubber gas line connector. Do I have to disconnect the lines at the filter?

turboawd

there is a thread in the diy section i believe on changing the pump. its located under the rear seat. remove steelcover, and then the pump/filter combo is right there. the filter is part of the pump.

twh

There are two fuel pumps - right and left.

turboawd

there is one pump on the drivers side, and a pickup on the passenger side, i thought.

turboawd

here's the diy
https://5series.net/forums/diy-do-yo...t-swap-121415/