SES & Stall at Low Speed while Turning

[gse36]

Hi All:

Thanks for reading this.

Would anybody have any insight into this problem? It has happened twice within 2 weeks (2 weeks ago was the first time I experienced this).

But in a parking lot, at low speeds, I would turn the wheel and accelerate (i.e. getting into a parking spot. The car would all of a sudden die, and the SES would turn on.
- Steering is dead (no power)
- Pressing gas does nothing (engine is off)

I turn off ignition, and start the car up again, and all is fine again.

I try to scan the codes but nothing shows up! (I have a Peake tool).

Thanks!

[Weasel]

May be a BMW proprietary code... but kinda sounds like it may be a cam position sensor problem. I wouldn't throw money at any repairs though until you get the real faults read, time to find a shop with the GT1 or dealer diagnosis. (which will still be cheaper than guessing and replacing the wrong parts)

[petener999]

Check your fuel pump.

[Weasel]

Fuel pump wouldn't only cause stalling at low speeds while turning... more likely something that affects fuel mixture and timing.

[B5M4W0]

I had the same problem but the engine light was on also. On the intake elbow where it meets the throttle body there are two smaller vacuum tube connections. Check the rubber coupler piece on the lower smaller tube. It likes to leak. Also Clean your MAF very well with CRC MAF cleaner. Remove the actual censor from the housing is the best way. Took 4 cleanings to resolve my issue. Light stayed out and no more near miss stalling. My opinoin is a good MAF cleaning is good for any vehicle any time and would prob fix 80% of the enigine light probs on this forum.

[gse36]

Thanks for the replies folks.

B5M4W0: Next time it happens, I'll check to see whether the engine light is on. I will check out those areas you mentioned for leaks, and clean the MAF.

Weasel: If the cheaper fix above does not resolve anything, I may replace the cam position sensors myself. I plan to keep the vehicle awhile (it currently has 73k miles), so these would probably need changing sometime anyway. The shops here are quite expensive, so the cost of reading codes and diagnosis ($100-200), I may as well change the sensors. If this doesn't work, I will pay to have it diagnosed.

peterner999: The problem seems to only occur (so far the two times) when turning rather sharply and accelerating and then braking. Not sure if weak fuel pumps are sensitive to this (as I presume the gas in the tank would swishing in various directions. I had a fuel pump die on my E36 which left me stranded (died at 80k miles), so wanting to avoid such risks, I may change it just out of preventative maintenance.

Thanks all! I will keep this thread posted when I do the work, so that it can hopefully be helpful to others.

Cheers

[tomaros]

x5 2003 3.0 has happen twice car will stall went making sharp slow turn and then start right up and run fine...anyone had any luck with this problem...thanks

[gse36]

Sorry to hear you have the same problem.

I haven't had a chance to try the above recommendations, as work is keeping me really busy these days.

It did stall again before and I actually could run the fault codes with my peake tool.

Did you run the codes?

I actually had a misfire code for cylinders 1,2,3,4, and 6. I suspect because it was a stall.

Anyhow, I bought a Honda accord in the meanwhile and am using that as a daily driver until I find time. Please update this thread with your experiences!

Thanks!

[killcrap]

some 3.0 models will exhibit this problem, there is a software error in the DME. This would be covered under 8/80 emissions warranty, if the situation applies to your model. although it may appear that the check engine lamp will come on, it is because it is federally mandated that the check engine lamp comes on with ignition on. So when your vehicle stalls, its as if the ignition is on, so the check engine lamp comes on, and there is no fault stored. Reference SIB 12 57 06. Bring it to your BMW dealer, and complaint "Customer reports erratic idle at low speeds while performing parking manuvers." Agree to pay the diagnostic fee, if the shop knows what they are doing, they will reprogram the engine control unit for free under the emissions warranty. If they attempt to charge you, mention the 8/80 emissions warranty. The engine control unit is covered under this warranty, and any reprogramming of such device would be covered.

[Kunphuzi0n]

Sorry to resurrect this old thread, but I am having the same problems described but my x is higher milage so isnt covered in the 8/80 warranty. What would I be looking at to have this fixed at the stealer? I am going to try some of the cleaning first to see if that fixes it, but i want to know what to be prepared for if it is more than just dirty. Thanks!!