E21 randomly shut off while driving, cant start it back up

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Mailxpur
Newbee
Posts: 2
Joined: Mon Jun 16, 2025 4:33 pm
My E21(s): 83 US 320i manual

E21 randomly shut off while driving, cant start it back up

Post by Mailxpur »

Hi everyone im new to this forum and i have had my 1983 320i for about a year now. The car has been running fantastic for the last year with the occasional tough cold start but nothing major and ive always stayed on top of maintenance.

I was driving home from work just last week when the car suddenly shut off with no indication of anything going wrong. The car stumbled for about 2 seconds then all power from the motor stopped. I was able to tow my car home to take a better look, I immediately thought it might be an issue with the fuel system (Jetronic system) as it seemed like it was a sudden fuel cut.

Things i have tested or done.
-Tested the spark plugs and they are all producing spark
-checked the air filter and its brand new
-checked the fuse box and replaced the main fuse with a another fuse i had in the car. The new one and old one were clicking when the ignition was put to auxiliary.
- the high pressure fuel pump does seem to be producing pressure and supplying the fuel distributor but i don't have a pressure tester so i have no way to verify the pressure.
- I took the airflow meter and the fuel distributor out and cleaned everything as best i could also i checked all the screen filters including the warm up valve filter and everything looked brand new. The diaphragm in the distributor had no signs of wear at all too.

I know there are a thousand different testes i can preform to find the issue but im relatively new to the M10 motor and i don't know all the tips and tricks. Anyone's impute would be greatly appreciated and thanks for reading through this :)


yatisr
Upcoming E21 fanatic
Posts: 61
Joined: Mon Jun 25, 2012 1:34 am

Re: E21 randomly shut off while driving, cant start it back up

Post by yatisr »

Have a look at the ignition control unit. This failed on my 323i (Bosch K- Jetronic six cylinder) causing the engine to immediately shut down and refuse to start. All was well once it was replaced.

Yatis
Mailxpur
Newbee
Posts: 2
Joined: Mon Jun 16, 2025 4:33 pm
My E21(s): 83 US 320i manual

Re: E21 randomly shut off while driving, cant start it back up

Post by Mailxpur »

Thank you Yatisr! definitely the same symptoms but obviously i have the 4 cylinder, i will take a look anyways of course. Do you know where the unit is located?
yatisr
Upcoming E21 fanatic
Posts: 61
Joined: Mon Jun 25, 2012 1:34 am

Re: E21 randomly shut off while driving, cant start it back up

Post by yatisr »

On the 6-cylinder cars it is located just behind the left front strut. I assume the same for the US specification 320i.

Yatis
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