E39, 530 Auto loosing drive

[cramman]

I was getting a lift in to work this morning in a friend’s E39 Auto when suddenly it just lost power.

We pulled into a line of traffic and stopped, and then you could feel the car just stop. Engine still running, engine light on, and no drive.

We turned the car off, waited a few minutes, back on and all was fine.

This wasn't the first time it's happened and the car has had electrical problems in the past, currently the TV/Radio is disconnected due breaking, possibly down to water ingress.

Any ideas?

[dan5oclocksmith]

Dying ignition barrels give random electrical issues, as do dying batteries. Check these first.

[cramman]

Thanks for that.

I'll tell him to check the ignition barrel. Its had a few new batteries recently

[Matt UK]

My e38 530i did this once. Started up, put it into drive and just nothing, it just revved with no drive.

Turned it off, started up again and all was fine. It never did it again. Weird.