[bmw] '83 528e intermittently stalling or running VERY rough

["magnets@xxxxxxxxxxxx" <magnets@xxxxxxxxxxxx>]

Help!

I have an '83 528e with  which  randomly stalls out after starting the car,
or at a stop light (usually after I enter the intersection, thus picture me
at rush hour, stalled in an intersection with a car that usually WON'T
restart). NOTE: this is a REAL intermittent problem , I can go a week with
not problems, then have it happen 3 times in one trip. Or have it happen
every day. Doesn't seem to happen at certain times, or with certain weather,
or just a hot engine (or cold engine) or one that's been rested for half an
hour -- it just happens completely randomly.

If I can get it restarted it will continue to try to stall, and if I can get
it going it is running VERY rough, there is a large plume of black smoke
(running overly rich). I have disconnected and plugged fuel supply to cold
start injector with no change in symptoms.

Using ohm meter temperature sensors near thermostat seem to be in the right
ballpark for the resistances.

Other than trying a new ECU/Motronic unit (a rebuilt one is $600 -- NOT
really an option if it's just to try and see). My Motronic is the first
generation, it was only used in 82 & 83, then they went to Motronic 1 in 84,
so salvage yards around here don't have one.

In that it is an intermittant problem, does anyone know which thermosensor
might be the culprit?

If it's a bad ground, where should I look?

If anyone can offer any answers, or any other suggestions, I'd really
appreciate it.

TIA,

Pam 83 528e ~175k & David 84 318i (2.0l) 245k 
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