E28 Motronic ECU stalls or won't start: reflow the cracked power-transistor solder joints
The weak point of the E28 535i Motronic ECU is the three solder joints of the large heat-sinked transistor. They crack and corrode, causing random no-spark stalls that clear up later. Remove the ECU from above the glovebox, open the case, and reflow those three joints with a small iron (ideally wick the old solder and resolder). Put the spacers and insulating sheets back when reassembling. Paid ECU repair services exist if you would rather not solder.
Parts / numbers mentioned: small soldering iron, solder wick
- e28-535i.com (owner site)E28 ECU Repair ↗checked 2026-10-01