Diagnosis for stalling? (archive)

Last week I had to use the wife's van to haul the boat around, so she drove the 750 for 3 days. Two days she left the headlights on and killed the battery, and I am ever so thankful for the discussions on the board, lest I would have no clue about getting into the car. But the key in the passenger side worked fine, and I later turned it backwards and synchronized the lock again. The third day she ran out of gas. I took some over and it cranked right up and ran fine. It ran fine for me after that.
Two days later (Friday) I needed the van again and she drove the 750. She was on the interstate, perhaps had just let off the gas at her exit, when the motor died and would not restart. A half hour later she tried one last time before calling the wrecker and it cranked fine and ran fine for another two days.

Today (Sunday) I drive about a mile to drop off my daughter and stop at a stop sign. As it comes to a stop it stumbled for maybe two seconds and dies. The tach was already idling, droped to zero, back up a time or two then stopped as if I had turned the key off. I tried to restart, the motor spins over smartly but does not fire at all. I waited 3 or 4 minutes, listened for the fuel pumps but traffic was too noisy, still no firing even though the starter spins fine.

Can't seem to get codes to read. Foot too slow? Have Check Control message. Like I do every day or two for three years.

After 10 minutes I try it and it fires right up and runs great.

Any suggestions? What about a fuel pump relay? But there are two on a 750, so wouldn't I be running on 1/2 engine instead of dead as a mackerel? I replaced one fuel pump last year. I smelled gas a couple of times last week while driving, but can find no evidence when I stop.

Anyway, any comments or suggestions would be appreciated. I have a Bentley and will soon begin tinkering, but since it runs fine now, I am not sure where to begin to diagnose.

Thanks,

Lin Gilbert
1990 750iL

Follow Ups:

Re: Diagnosis for stalling? Kevin 22:27 6/03/2001 (0)
Re: Diagnosis for stalling? Brian 14:50 6/03/2001 (2)
- Re: Diagnosis for stalling? Wayne McKay 14:58 6/03/2001 (1)
  - Lots of good ideas to investigate, thanks Gilbert 22:17 6/03/2001 (0)

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