Electric problem

1998 BMW 740
130,000 MILES
Avatar
FRANXUA1
  • MEMBER
  • 38 POSTS
I have a 98 BMW 740i, Recently my wife left her lights on and her card Died, I jump started her car using my BMW I hooked both batteries with my car running and told her to start her car, he car started but then mine started to smell like burnt cable, and after a few seconds I saw smoke coming from the engine I checked and I saw that the thermostat sensor had melted, after that the car stopped working and would start but die right away, I changed the thermostat, and the car started, so i thought the problem was solved, but after turning it off and trying to start it again, the car its still dying right after it starts, I don't know what it could be, any suggestions???
Aug 18, 2012 at 4:45 AM
Advertisement
Avatar
KHLOW2008
  • CERTIFIED EXPERT
  • 41,814 POSTS
Check for blown fuses. Have the alternator and charging tested.
Aug 18, 2012 at 6:44 AM
Avatar
FRANXUA1
  • MEMBER
  • 38 POSTS
Ok I will try this tomorrow and I'll let you know thanks...
Aug 18, 2012 at 10:34 PM
Advertisement
Avatar
KHLOW2008
  • CERTIFIED EXPERT
  • 41,814 POSTS
Any update on this?
Aug 21, 2012 at 11:19 AM
Avatar
FRANXUA1
  • MEMBER
  • 38 POSTS
Not yet, i have been really busy at work seems like I'll be off on Friday that's when I'll check the car and let you know... Thanks...
Aug 21, 2012 at 6:29 PM
Avatar
FRANXUA1
  • MEMBER
  • 38 POSTS
So I checked the car and the fuses are all ok.. Also the alternator it's fine.. Any other suggestions on what it could be one thing I noticed its that once the car starts if I step on the gas it will die instantly...(once i start it it will stay running for a couple of seconds)
Aug 24, 2012 at 8:39 PM
Avatar
KHLOW2008
  • CERTIFIED EXPERT
  • 41,814 POSTS
Get a scan to check for trouble codes.

Yu mentioned the thermostat sensor melting and that can mean a poor ground circuit between engine and body.
Aug 24, 2012 at 8:55 PM
Avatar
FRANXUA1
  • MEMBER
  • 38 POSTS
I did, before changing the thermostat there was like 7 different codes, but after changing it, all codes went away...
Aug 24, 2012 at 9:41 PM
Avatar
KHLOW2008
  • CERTIFIED EXPERT
  • 41,814 POSTS
You should have a look at the engine computer. The smoking when jump starting might have caused damage to it.
Aug 24, 2012 at 9:53 PM
Avatar
FRANXUA1
  • MEMBER
  • 38 POSTS
Ok so I unplugged the sensor cable from the thermostat and started the car and it started and was actually running nicely, but after I plugged back the car shut off again.., what could that mean...??!
Aug 24, 2012 at 11:53 PM
Avatar
KHLOW2008
  • CERTIFIED EXPERT
  • 41,814 POSTS
You could have replaced the component with a faulty one or of the wrong specifications.
Aug 25, 2012 at 1:45 AM
Avatar
FRANXUA1
  • MEMBER
  • 38 POSTS
I had an older thermostat from the car,
I changed it to that one and same thing as soon as I plug it back it dies...
Aug 25, 2012 at 2:18 AM
Avatar
KHLOW2008
  • CERTIFIED EXPERT
  • 41,814 POSTS
I believe you are talking about the engine coolant sensor because thermostat is inside the housing and non electrical. Are you sure the replacement unit is good?

Looks like you need to put the vehicle on diagnostic equipments.
Aug 25, 2012 at 2:37 AM
Avatar
FRANXUA1
  • MEMBER
  • 38 POSTS
yea im talking about the sensor, it comes together with the thermostat housing..i had 2 other thermostats they both have the sensor included, I tried changing both and once i plug in the sensor the car shuts off..
Aug 25, 2012 at 5:25 AM
Avatar
KHLOW2008
  • CERTIFIED EXPERT
  • 41,814 POSTS
The computer is sensing something wrong with the circuit and it could be the sensor itself or the wiring is shorted. Check the sire carefully and ensure it is not fused together or to ground.
Aug 25, 2012 at 5:32 AM
Avatar
FRANXUA1
  • MEMBER
  • 38 POSTS
I checked the cables and up to where i can follow the cables the dont seem to be fused....I will get another thermostat and replace it, the old thermostats might have gone bad too...if that doesn't work I don't know what else it could be...
Aug 25, 2012 at 6:12 AM
Avatar
KHLOW2008
  • CERTIFIED EXPERT
  • 41,814 POSTS
If it does not work, you would need more than what you have done. The first thing is to plug in a scan tool to monitor the ECT circuit and check for faults codes.
Aug 25, 2012 at 7:19 AM
Avatar
FRANXUA1
  • MEMBER
  • 38 POSTS
Ok i got something, i plugged the scanner and Camshaft sensor came up..I belive its code P0340...
Aug 25, 2012 at 7:07 PM
Avatar
KHLOW2008
  • CERTIFIED EXPERT
  • 41,814 POSTS
Yes, that is the camshaft position sensor. Check the sensor and its wiring.

The unplugging of the ECT could be that when the PCM senses it is not working therefore it reverts to backup circuit and allow you to start sowe forget it for the time being.
Aug 25, 2012 at 10:03 PM
Avatar
FRANXUA1
  • MEMBER
  • 38 POSTS
It seems good, but I remember replacing that sensor about two years ago..and from what I remember it was doing the same thing it's doing now, so for now I'll just replace the sensor and hope that takes care of it..
Aug 25, 2012 at 10:17 PM
Avatar
KHLOW2008
  • CERTIFIED EXPERT
  • 41,814 POSTS
It is possible the smoking had something to do with it and electrical components damages due to power surge/spikes can have far reaching results. Don't be surprised if other components had failed as well.

Lets hope ths cam sensor solves the problem.
Aug 26, 2012 at 6:14 AM
Avatar
FRANXUA1
  • MEMBER
  • 38 POSTS
Ok so I changed the camshaft sensor, but the car still doesn't work, I was able to start it using starting fluid..I checked the codes again and now i have 3 codes, code P0340, P1145 and P1509 any ideas??
Sep 4, 2012 at 3:46 AM
Avatar
KHLOW2008
  • CERTIFIED EXPERT
  • 41,814 POSTS
Did you erase the P0340 and it came back? It is a fault with the cam sensor and could be the electrical circuit instead of the sensor itself. This code would prevent the fuel injectors from firing.

P1145 - Solenoid Valve Running Losses Control Circuit Electrical. Diagnostic information not available from manufacturter. There are no reference to what this solenoid is. Seems only the BMW dealer scan tool works on this problem.

P1509 - Idle-Speed control valve opening solenoid control circuit signal electrical. Maybe this is the solenoid P1145 is refering to?

BMW are not friendly with non dealers therefore information are lacking in most aspects.


Sep 4, 2012 at 12:34 PM
Avatar
DOCHAGERTY
  • CERTIFIED EXPERT
  • 9,603 POSTS
Still waiting for the solution?
Apr 11, 2013 at 6:14 AM
Avatar
FRANXUA1
  • MEMBER
  • 38 POSTS
yea I still havent been able to fix it, the car is just sitting on my driveway...
Apr 17, 2013 at 9:15 AM
Avatar
DOCHAGERTY
  • CERTIFIED EXPERT
  • 9,603 POSTS
Email me at [email protected]
Apr 20, 2013 at 8:35 PM