I recently purchased a 1991 740 turbo and am having some problems with starting the car and the electrical system.

From time to time, all the electronics in the car will cut out while I am driving. This means the headlights, turn signals, a/c fan, and radio far, power locks and mirrors, and windows will all stop working. The ABS and SRS lights are lit up on the dash. I know when this is *not* happening since when the lights are on, the bulb failure light is always on (even though all the bulbs are working). When I turn off the car and restart it, everything works fine again.

This happened the other day, so I shut off the car and when I tried to re-start it, nothing happened. The engine did not crank or anything. I was able to push start the car (it's a manual transmission) and drive home. I took it to the mechanic the next morning (needed a push start again) and he replaced the starter motor. Now when I turn the key, the engine will crank, but it will not always turn over. Sometimes it will turn over for a second and then stall. If I try to start it too many times the starter motor will stop running (I'm guessing the battery is out of juice) and the only thing that will get it going is a jump start or a push start.

the mechanic is suggesting replacing the fuel pumps (he claims there are two) at a cost of about $500, or at the very least replacing the battery which he claims would give me a few more shots at getting the starter motor to turn the engine over.

I don't really have a lot of money right now, so am thinking I may just spring for the battery in the hopes that it'll give me enough juice to get the engine started.

I'm wondering what the cause of the electrical and starting problems may be, and why the old starter would have just crapped out like that. going over the repair records for the car, the ignition was replaced about a year ago so is relatively new.

Thanks!

ted740.10.tc1@spamgourmet.com