Help - E30 M20B25 Motronic Fault Code

["Fadeev, Alex" <Alex.Fadeev@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

I am at a loss and would like to ask the Digest for help before I go ahead
with swapping out expensive parts.

	Can anyone educate me on the 'usual' causes of the DME error code:
1261 on an '89 production E30 325i (M20B25)? 
	The nominal description is "Fuel Pump Relay Control". I had it
replaced to no avail. I had also checked the wiring and connectors around
the relay and they all look good. The harness 'twist cap' connector on the
LHS of the engine is also clean. The coolant temp sensor, AFM are working as
advertised. 
	This code has been with me ever since the car started having hard
time starting in chilly (< 60F) weather. When engine is cold it fires right
up, the 'check engine' light comes on, RPMs drop to zero. It looks like the
mixture is rich as I can 'help' the engine to start by 1/2 opening the
throttle and producing a blue/black smoke out of the tail pipe after a bit
of sputtering. 
	After the engine warms up the car used to run beautifully. Until
today, when it started convulsing on the highway after 15 minutes of
driving. Check engine light would come on and the RPMs would attempt to drop
to zero. As I was still in gear the car would keep going, but it was not
pretty. The condition cleared in 10 seconds, but I am really uneasy about
driving this car now.

	If anyone knows where I should look, please help	

Thanks in advance,
alex

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