540i fuel pump related problem

[fastandcurious]

I've owned a 1998 E39 540i for the past two years. In July last year it conked out and the problem was diagnosed by BMW as being a cam shaft censor problem. The following week, having had this replaced, whilst driving through France it conked out again on the AutoRoute! Having experienced French AutoRoute recovery we went to a BMW main dealer and they replaced the fuel pump. All seemed ok until just recently when it started to play up again! Finally, today it conked out again and I've had it recovered to a UK main dealer to see if they can successfully diagnose and fix the problem once and for all.

Has anyone had similar problems and managed to resolve them successfully??? I do hope someone is able to shed some light on this one!

CRAIG

[Fixedwheelnut]

Check the power supply to the pump, if there is no supply voltage check the relay.

It is not uncommon for the contacts to burn out, especially if a pump has failed before and caused a high current draw.

[motorwise]

Fixedwheelnut said:

Check the power supply to the pump, if there is no supply voltage check the relay.

It is not uncommon for the contacts to burn out, especially if a pump has failed before and caused a high current draw.

I agree very common failure - try bridging the terminals at the realy together and see if it runs

[blackspider]

Been replacing relays quite frequently..as in 3-4 a week.
The Green cap relays for the fuel pumps and the Blue cap relays for the DME.
Both suffering with the same fault.

If you open up the relay and look at the contacts you will see the tips have burnt.
E46 318 seem to be the ones in most often-prbabely because it was the biggest seller.

[fastandcurious]

Thanks guys. Its in the hands of a BMW main dealer now. I hope they check the relay!
Cheers CRAIG