Thanks to fellow X5'er in South Carolina yesterday!!

[X5Dawg]

Was headed home from Charleston yesterday on I-26 and just above Columbia we hit crawling traffic due to an accident. Temp outside was 105, had the air blowing hard, a pregnant wife, and two Weimars in the X. As we were creeping the X stalls. Throw on the hazards, pull off to the side, put in Park and recrank. Everything starts up fine - temp gauge is OK and I know I have plenty of gas. I look in the rearview mirror and noticed a black E53 had pulled over behind us and as I merged back into traffic, so did they, so I know they were pulling over bc we had. We ended up stalling once again - cranked it back up and got off the next exit to let it cool down some because that's all I could think could be the issue - heat plus stop-and-go. Once we got going again we were still in the traffic, stalled one more time, put finally got past the accident and never had another issue for the next 2+ hours. Never got a SES light except the usual one when the ignition is on but the car is not running. I am still going to check it for codes this evening.

Anyway, wanted to thank that fellow X5'er for pulling over to help!!

[jst2878]

Nice story. Clean your MAF sensor and see if that helps

[mrbmwx5]

My money is on the new idle control valve.

[X5Dawg]

Originally Posted by mrbmwx5

My money is on the new idle control valve.

Hmmmm, I think that is actually one thing that I have not replaced yet.

Anyone think the DISA valve could have anything to do with it?? I have had a rattle for some time now that based on what I have read sounds like the DISA valve. I HAVE replaced it once before...

[X5Dawg]

Originally Posted by jst2878

Nice story...

I left out the first part of the journey. Friday when I was loading the X my driver's door handle failed. No biggie, I could roll down the window with the keyfob and open using the inside handle. When I was loading the car on Sunday morning, I cranked the X up to allow the inside to cool down some and when we went to leave, I realized that only one door was unlocked and yes, it was the non-working driver's door. So the X is sitting there running, AC on MAX, and I cannot get in!!! Called a locksmith who showed up within 30 minutes, spent 5 minutes getting in, and walked away with $70 (don't get me wrong, I was very grateful for his service - much cheaper than popping out a window).

Needless to say it was not a good day for the X...

[TwinsPoppa]

Originally Posted by X5Dawg

Needless to say it was not a good day for the X...

Yeah but she still looks great!

[Weasel]

It could be the intake cam position sensor as when it is on the way out it can intermittently lose signal and cause it to stall, more so ad idle/low RPMs too. At first it doesn't cause a SES light, it takes a few times to trip the light. If the code reader used shows "pending codes" it might be in there if that is the culprit.

The DISA flap shouldn't cause any stalling, but the idle control valve is another possibility. I'd say the cam position sensor is much more common for this issue. (if it hasn't already been changed that is)

[X5Dawg]

Originally Posted by TwinsPoppa

Yeah but she still looks great!

Thanks!! That and when it is running good I love driving it are the only reasons I keep dumping money into this thing!!

[X5Dawg]

Originally Posted by Weasel

It could be the intake cam position sensor as when it is on the way out it can intermittently lose signal and cause it to stall, more so ad idle/low RPMs too. At first it doesn't cause a SES light, it takes a few times to trip the light. If the code reader used shows "pending codes" it might be in there if that is the culprit.

The DISA flap shouldn't cause any stalling, but the idle control valve is another possibility. I'd say the cam position sensor is much more common for this issue. (if it hasn't already been changed that is)

Both cam sensors (I think there are two) have been replaced before.

I'll have to go back thru all of my receipts and see if I have ever replaced the idle control valve.

I checked for codes at lunch today and didn't have any.

[Weasel]

You can just remove the idle valve and clean all the carbon deposits out with carb cleaner, the only way they fail is when they stick... and that is caused by carbon deposits.