need help, car wont start, looks like fuel problem (archive)

hey guys, im having a problem since monday and now i cant use my car. on monday morning i got to put gas at the gas station. i had about 3 gallons left in the car. i added 8 gallons. when i go turn the car on, i got a really bad idle, and it stumble and then turned off. i tried it about 5 times and same result. i called my dad to come help me or give me a ride. by the time he got there, about 15 minutes, the car started fine. the rest of the day, no problem. then yesterday morning the car was fine, but then i went by my parents house and when i was going to leave, same problem as in the gas station. but this time the car would stay on, but with really rough idle(around 500 rpm, usually around 800). but on the third time it started fine. on the way to work, i was crossing an intersection, the car lost all power, it did nothing when you pressed the accelerator. and then the car died when the rpms got low. from then on, it would not start, but the engine would turn on, then die.

when i went to work on it at night, at the place it stalled, luckly next to my cousin's house, the car now would only turn the engine but not turn on. kinda like not getting gas. i changed the main and fuel pump relays with used ones out of another bmw 528e that i know the car was workning, still not start. added more gas just in case it was bad gas or the gauge was wrong. no start.

but when i raised the car from the rear to check for voltage at the main fuel pump, the car seemed to want to turn on know that the car was leaning, but it still never turned on. i had an extra fuel pump, so i go to switch it out. it ending up leaking internally. so i go to put back the orginal one, and guess what the car turned on fine. drove it last night and everthing fine.

this morning i get the same thing, just the engine turning. i disconectted the hose after the fuel rail and fuel pressure regulator. when i try to turn the car on, nothing comes out of the regulator. is there gas supposed to come out?

does anybody know what it could be, i am going to change the fuel filter today, can it be clogged. also going to do a tune up.

thanks

alex
88 m5

Follow Ups:

thanks guys, it was main pump, put a new one in. Alex in S. FL 21:22 2/06/2002 (0)
Re: need help, car wont start, looks like fuel pro Todd Kenyon 19:20 2/06/2002 (0)
follow up Alex in S. FL 15:51 2/06/2002 (2)
- WATCH OUT FOR SPARKS! JamesM 16:02 2/06/2002 (1)
  - Almost forgot.... JamesM 16:05 2/06/2002 (0)

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