Ghost Stalling Problem - Any input would be much appreciated!
 

Hi - I've done a pretty extensive search on here trying to find a similar issue, but unfortunately I haven't been able to find anything. Hoping someone has an idea what could be wrong with the X?!

Symptoms:

A week ago the X just stalled out in a parking lot at a cruising speed and would not start for 5 plus minutes. It literally just died without any warning. It would crank but wouldn't start. On the 5/6th time of trying it started up no problem.
- No warning lights or messages.
- No shaking, no rough idle, no signs of anything wrong.
- Drove like nothing happened for the rest of the day.
- No blue or white smoke.

2 days later: After coming out from the store, the X wouldn't start. Same symptoms that it would crank, but not start. Once it started there was no warning lights, or any sign anything was wrong.

Took it to BMW a few days ago. Of course the X was running perfect. The code that was stored when it died said it needed a new vanos solenoid. A little leery to replace that since I have never had a check engine light, rough idle or any signs it was vanos problems. (I've had an E46 with a vanos issue). Dealership did an oil change, mentioned there was a small leak in the oil pan gasket and it's been running great until today.

Running great for 5 days....then....today....

The X died in the middle of the intersection at cruising speed again. Did not want to restart. Cranking but not starting. No warning lights until the 6/7 time trying to restart it. The yellow 4X4, brake and trans fail safe lights came on. X was sluggish on the 3 mile drive home. Once in the garage, turned it off, turned it back on and EVERY THING WAS NORMAL AGAIN, no warning lights, running perfect!!

Any idea's is very much appreciated!

Thank You!

2004 X5 4.8is

Check You oil full cap..............I had a similar situation on my 4.8is..........also the codes , nothing?.................o2 sensor?when was the last tune up?low oil ?

Who you gonna call?

Ghostbusters

http://netmap.files.wordpress.com/20...uster-logo.jpg

It's tight. Was the oil full cap your issue? No codes stored besides the vanos solenoid malfunction, but that could of been caused by something else. No dash or warning lights what-so-ever previously until today and it was yellow brake, 4x4 and trans fail safe on the way home. Once I restarted it, it was like nothing happened, all lights went away. Running smooth as can be now. Major tune up 6 months ago, plugs 10 months ago. It did have low oil when they did an oil change last week, but checked the oil level today and it's fine. As for the O2 sensor, I can't think of a time when that has been replaced. If it was O2 I would image it would have other symptoms.

don't forget on the 4.8is there are 2 timing chains and 2 vanos sensors...........also every time You adjust the suspension You have to re code the suspension, it doses effect the idle and throttle body[believe it or not]...............speaking of the idle if You change the Air filter or touched the MAF sensor You have to re code..................

must be a Chicago think,like the Blues Brothers
:D

This sounds like it might be an ignition switch failing to me. Had this happen on other BMW's I've owned.

Oh yea HOW MANY MILES.......................................?

"......................................"really ?
I touched and cleaned my air filter or MAF, no need to re-code

Ignition switch has crossed my mind too since no check engine lights appear and when it dies it literally just stops. No shaking or symptoms it's about to die like low idle etc. It's like it was just turned off. It tries to start but just cranks away until the 5/6th time trying. Wondering if the vanos code thrown was just a symptom of it dying from something like the ignition. :dunno:

It has an easy well maintained 79,000.