1994 540 doesnt' start

Just got a couple of old bimmers. Happy to be a new guy, but my little '94 540 has come up with this problem. When I try to start it, sometimes the dash message comes on as "trans program", but doesn't start. Took it in for a 60k mile checkup (it's got 125k) and the mech thinks it MIGHT be the fuel pump...
...but that's not all. A couple of times, I've been cruising on the fwy or on backroads and the car stalls (says "trans program"). This is very troubling on the freeway with semi-trucks barreling down on me, but so far I'm still alive.
My mechanic seems useless in this. To me, changing a $300 part that MIGHT be wrong is a poor way of correcting the problem.
Got any ideas?
Wil in BABY'MER

I believe you have two seperate issues. The trans faults should have been recorded during the 60K service [you paid for it, if it was a quality indepenent shop] and there can be a number of causes. This WILL NOT cause the engine to stall except possibily at idle due to an internal mechanical failure that doesn't normally set a fault. The troubling stalling may well be caused by a failing fuel pump, but might not. Your tech could get a 'reading' on the current draw of the pump with an induction amp. pick-up and a lab scope and judge it's condition fairly well.....best to you.........

Thanks for the reply.
The "trans program" message appeared before taking it in for the 60k, so they cleared the codes, but found nothing. Then the message came again the next day (about a week & a half ago), with the car stalling on the side of the road for 5 mins. Took it back to the shop, but they couldn't replicate the problem. (Didn't charge me, though.)
Drove it for a week, then couldn't start it in my driveway. ("Trans program" message again.) By the time I tried again monday AM, it started like there had been no problem.
(This sounds way too much like a girl I used to date.)
Then I drove it back to the shop to ask if they had any great ideas. "Nothing", they said, "but bring it back when you can leave it overnight." ok.
Went out to get in the car to go home and figure out a schedule, when (lo, and behold!) the car failed to start. "Trans Program" is back, and timed just right!
("COOL!". Sure, the car has a problem, but I can't think of a better spot to have a problem.)
So, we pushed the car into the mechanic bay and they put some computers on it. "Go get 'im, boys", I thought. "Find that problem."

...so, just what is a DME? It sounds like it's gonna cost me plenty.

They may be related after all [ from your more thorough description ]. DME = Digital Motor Electronics, a short way of BMW saying the ignition and fuel injection are controlled by the same computer. A component failure inside the control unit or an external signal failure [ usually crank signal ] which the DME sends to the EGS [ auto trans. control ] could set a fault in both units. It might take some testing but it sounds like you have a shop thats willing to figure it out. BEST TO YOU and stay in touch................jeff b.

I picked up the car from the shop on wednesday, paid 'em nearly $800 for a replacement DME and drove home happy. "BABY'MER's doing great", I thought, "now I don't have to worry about that anymore."
Well, we all know that seemed too easy.
The car stalled out while driving friday evening (yes, AFTER the mechanic's shop was closed). Started after trying for a couple minutes. Saturday it wouldn't start in the my garage for a couple minutes. Stalled again on the road that evening. Had trouble starting after church on sunday. Works fine this morning.
I just hope the shop hasn't thrown away my old DME. I should get my money back on this part, right?
I guess I'll go with the fuel pump being bad. One of the shop's guesses ought to be correct, right?
Wil in BABY'MER
( my old Merky-Benz is looking better all the time.)

I'd say YES, if the problem is the same, the DME hasn't repaired any portion of the problem, they should reinstall your original and continue with their 'troulbeshooting' scheme. This is what I would do and I'm in this business.
Hopefully they're doing more than throwing darts and following plausable leads to the repair.......jeff b