DenMaggs

I am so hoping a member on here has the answer !!! I acquired from family member a 530d SE 2004 , which he delivered to me (driving it) told me there was issue with battery and need replacing - which I did and the car won’t start , investigation led me to the IBS lead and negative terminal , replaced it , still nothing !!! Puzzled , noticed when connected battery and attempts to start , the fuel pump was silent , and a fuel pump warning message displayed , so decided to replace it , again it started !!! Yes !!! I drove it around the block for 5 minutes returning to my road , when all of a sudden it died !!!! Pushed car back , researches and finds a 20 (yellow) had blown , replaced - blew - replaced - blew , research again found that the fuel pump relay could be the issue , so replaced that , again started the car , nothing !!! Cranks away !! Fuel pump warning message has gone , unplugged the IBS tried again , nothing , I am totally at a loss as to the issue as every bit of research has lead to everything I have done or attempted to !!! Any ideas what I should do or what I have done wrong
all replies are greatly appreciated

BartvZessen

you should first (let someone) read the codes, these are always step 1 into diagnosing the problem.
did you get the same type of battery, like in capacity, else it has to be coded in

DenMaggs

yes it was a plug play battery exact capacity and voltage,

gman6262

Did replacing the fuel pump solve the yellow fuse blowing? Is the fuel pump running? You should be able to hear it - remove the rear seat cushion to access the fuel pump cover.

McPikie

Assuming the "family member" didn't have any of these issues before palming it off on you?

lsp

Oh come on. The car wasn't "palmed off"; it's got an issue. And it's not a nightmare. Does it look nice? Is the interior in good shape? The paint? It's a great car. You'll fix this and move on.

They are not Camrys though. This is going to happen occasionally; it's 17 years old. If that's a deal breaker then fix it, sell it and get something more modern..

DenMaggs

First the replacement fuel pump did not solve the fuse blowing , it was the fuel relay switch that was causing the fuse to blow , the relay is located in boot on RHS behind the upholstery, that sorted it and was able to drive for literally 24hrs went for a meal dropped friends back at home (no issues) next morning took wife to work , decided on car wash and valet clean , driving home engine cut out displaying warning message about Heat in engine and exhaust and crawled home (thankfully very close to home)
so had fault codes read 3 fault - P0030 P14A4 & P0030. all relation to excessive heat in exhaust points to the Lambard sensor at this point the MOT was due to expire so had it picked up and taken to a independent BMW specialist- got car back on friday after a week and £635 lighter !
lambard sensor replacement and another fuel pump - MOT passed with few niggle advisory point - mainly the dreaded occupancy sensor for seat belts!!

so saturday went out and took on motorway, soon as hit the uphill lane to gain entry limp mode activated 40mph max !! got off next exit , smoke all over the place , people indicating i was on fire !!!

got out looked under and the DPF housing was RED in heat (could have cooked a sunday roast let alone a egg on it)

so the DPF was blocked , not sure how garage missed or didn’t check it when emissions test on MOT ?

decided throw the diesel DPF cleaner into tank give it 30min drive at 3000 revs as per instructions (as car wasn’t in limp mode anymore)

The smoke bellowed out the exhaust where by the very quiet road was now congested due to Zero visibility!!!
where a passing fire engine actually blue lighted and crossed central reservation to ‘save me’ !!! they thought car was about to blow because of the smoke pouring from it , checked it out - no fire - smoke subsided- went to nearby stadium and few laps after it had cooled down !!!

smoke gone - no limp mode - fuel pump ok , !!

no issues so far so good !

now i considering a DPF removal due to the issues that will happen because of a blocked DPF or lack of regeneration,

tonight as i drove home from work

new warning x 2

this time - oil pressure fault advising to carefully drive home and sort it (think was again heat related or excessive pressure

and a transmission fault which stated some gears may not work and drive carefully!!!


so i stopped at my usual shop on way home ( 5mins) carefully!!

stayed shop 30-40mins decided continue home , started car expecting limp home and the warning about oil and transmission,

nothing drive home carefully and sleep on it !!!

so maybe there a new issue?

personally i think related to this DPF as felt sluggish , hence considering new one or removal and remapping (by appropriate experts)

as for transmission I will investigate a bit more tomorrow!


again thanks for reply , and sorry didn’t reply sooner just had some family issues that has taken up time !!

DenMaggs

the ‘like a brother to me’ family member definitely didn’t palm it off on me , he is gutted i have had these issues , as he never had any apart from usual brakes , servicing, ,

He advised that as been idle for few months that had caused the battery issues (he believes ) as battery could not hold charge for 24-48hrs

he told me when driving to deliver vehicle a fuel pump message display occurred , which remained as per original post until sorted ,

but went off when filled with diesel on journey ,



thanks again for reply , sorry in delay in my reply

DenMaggs

totally agree the car was not palmed off , family member acted in good faith and gutted I have experienced these issues even offered to help get it sorted financially!! (declined)

Yes great car - immaculate interior , well looked after - 140,000 miles , service history ,

he a car guy looks after his vehicles ,

Reason I said ‘Nightmare’ as i have always liked the car from when he acquired it , ‘dreams’ of owning it

Nightmare as I am not a car guy , in that i no mechanical expert or novice ,
so i learning as I go as appreciate the vehicle and the potential it holds when i put it right !

won’t be throwing in the towel and selling it ! the challenge or the advice is to gain the knowledge to do it right by process of elimination to avoid further issues

thanks again for your reply

DenMaggs

after the fuses blowing I was told that the fuel pump control unit is the source of problem so ordered and fitted ,

car started and drove for 24hrs
no issues, until i was driving home when a notification regarding the engine temperature had maxed and stopped car , wouldn’t start , eventually starting and crawling back home (was 2 mins away from home when engine cut out)

another friend with a code fault reader said the lambard sensor had failed and needed replacing, so ordered one decided the friend who fitted other parts had limited knowledge so decided best to get it all sorted by experienced professional’s who know BMW’s ,

so they had it a week and determined that the fuel pump sender part had failed so they advised new one rather than a £50 one off ebay !
they also did MOT which passed few advisory point to get sorted - the occupancy sensor !!! and some pipes ,
so pick up friday , no issues , went out for drive with friend and upon merging onto motorway car went into limp mode again , 2500 revs max 40mph (this motorway is a high bridge over manchester ship canal also) exits next junction , smoke started , people indicating I was on fire ! got out car smoke pouring out everywhere!
the DPF unit was glowing red !!! smoking like a American BBQ on 4th July!

so DPF blocked (unsure how missed in MOT emissions test ! )

but got the Fuel additive for diesels and unlocking it , possibly!

next day (sunday) took for drive on extremely easy road straight and calm not much traffic !!!

jesus the smoke !!! halted the traffic both sides and fire services nearby swoop into action again think on fire ! check over good to go ,

after the smoke clears ,

monday now get a oil pressure problem and drive carefully and immediately after a transmission alert again stop driving and sort it !

so i turn off car go do some shopping go back to car few hours later ! starts first time no limp mode , no oil or transmission notification,

but the engine warning light is now on ??

m thinking having this DPF thing removed and remapped for less hassle more BHP and fuel consumption

tuesday ! car still running fine with no notification no smoke no fire

fingers crossed

thanks again for posting apologies in delay family emergency abroad