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325i got no spark

Posted: Fri Dec 07, 2012 12:44 pm
by Andros
My mechanic as put 325i into my 320i cabs and the engine was out of a 88 automatic cabs my car is also an 88 and it's all in the car the car turns ova but won't start as there's no spark does any1 no what Wil sort the problem out its bin 4 days wiv out car lol

Re: 325i got no spark

Posted: Fri Dec 07, 2012 12:52 pm
by maggspower
I think you need a new mechanic :D

Is your car an auto? have you converted to manual at the same time?

There is a section in the wiki, devoted to non starting.

Re: 325i got no spark

Posted: Fri Dec 07, 2012 12:53 pm
by maggspower

Re: 325i got no spark

Posted: Fri Dec 07, 2012 1:01 pm
by Andros
No my car is a manual n the engine e as fitted is out of an auto

Re: 325i got no spark

Posted: Fri Dec 07, 2012 1:16 pm
by Speedtouch
You say it is out of an automatic. Have you checked to ensure the starting inhibitor switch wiring has been bridged? Most automatics have a starter inhibitor switch that will prevent starting unless the car is in neutral (N).

So, you would need to find that wiring and bridge it to enable the car to start.

Re: 325i got no spark

Posted: Fri Dec 07, 2012 1:30 pm
by Andros
Yes he has done that as the car wouldn't turn over on the key it is now though but these no spArk at the spark plugs and car won't fire up he as used different ecu n loom don't ask me y so is the engine loom that on the auto engine still ok to plug and play with my cars existing loom and ecu ????

Re: 325i got no spark

Posted: Fri Dec 07, 2012 1:41 pm
by Speedtouch
On the engine that has been fitted, does it have the flywheel crank position sensors, or is there just the one fitted at the front of the engine?

This distinguishes the early pre-facelift Motronic 1.0/1.1 from the later facelift Motronic 1.3

Obviously, you need to fit an ECU appropriate to whichever type of CPS arrangement the engine has.

Re: 325i got no spark

Posted: Fri Dec 07, 2012 1:47 pm
by Andros
My mate put the pictures up last night of the ecu he had used that he thought would work on the m20 engine change section

Re: 325i got no spark

Posted: Fri Dec 07, 2012 1:52 pm
by Speedtouch
As above, check that this 073 ECU is going to be compatible with the engine that has been fitted; it will need to have a pair of crank position sensors fitted on the flywheel for it to work!

If your engine has just the one CPS at the front of the engine (check for a toothed wheel at the front of the crankshaft, and a tubular sensor clipped on near it), then you will need the later Motronic 1.3 ECU and loom to make it work.

Re: 325i got no spark

Posted: Fri Dec 07, 2012 9:58 pm
by 320
Taronis givig a good price :D

Re: 325i got no spark

Posted: Fri Dec 07, 2012 10:41 pm
by Andros
And you would no all about that cause ur last 2 e30,s have ended up getting weighed in cause you simply can't drive lola˜a

Re: 325i got no spark

Posted: Fri Dec 07, 2012 10:52 pm
by Andros
I still have not herd off my mechanic so I no he cant sort it but thanks to my mate on here macas and a few very nice helpful people off here we are going down to the garage in the morning to try and sort it out so I will let you no what happens and the chances are we will
Need further advice lol

Re: 325i got no spark

Posted: Sat Dec 08, 2012 4:30 pm
by Andros
I have left the mechanic to it today and he has put the 320 loom back in and ecu and the car as got power to all the relays now and he saying he has fuel but no spark still so he is trying a new cps as he said my original 1 was fraid n warn and he said the cps plug on the 325 engine was different to 320 I don't see how when they are exact same normaly

Re: 325i got no spark

Posted: Sat Dec 08, 2012 4:39 pm
by Speedtouch
Well, a frayed CPS wire could well be preventing it sending the signal the ECU needs to make it produce sparks.

Did you find out where the CPS is - on the front of the engine, or on the flywheel?

Re: 325i got no spark

Posted: Sat Dec 08, 2012 5:20 pm
by e30topless
try swapping the CPS and the Pulse lead plug over , it's a common mistake for them to get mixed up during a swap due to them being identical...

Re: 325i got no spark

Posted: Sat Dec 08, 2012 6:57 pm
by Andros
Sensor is on front of engine

Re: 325i got no spark

Posted: Sat Dec 08, 2012 6:59 pm
by Speedtouch
In that case, it will need the later Motronic 1.3 173/380 ECU (from the 320i, as you say has been re-fitted), and not the 073 ECU that you showed.

Re: 325i got no spark

Posted: Sat Dec 08, 2012 7:26 pm
by macas
Speedtouch wrote:In that case, it will need the later Motronic 1.3 173/380 ECU (from the 320i, as you say has been re-fitted), and not the 073 ECU that you showed.
Ahh,i now know what you mean.....thanks for the help so far!!

Re: 325i got no spark

Posted: Sat Dec 08, 2012 8:12 pm
by Andros
What about that three pin plug that we also showed does that need to be connected to anything cause someone put that 3 pin is for instrument panel signal (fuel gauge) tacho signal and ignition switch signal I'm sure the wires r black green n white he is saying he has also got a reading coming to the cps plug but still not sparking so he going to try new crank sensor Monday and if it's not that it's back to the drawing board lol

Re: 325i got no spark

Posted: Sat Dec 08, 2012 8:52 pm
by macas
willnz wrote:The CPS powers both the spark and the fuel, so if you have fuel but not spark you need to check continuity and power supply to the coil.

Where was the distributor on the 320 motor? on the side of the motor or on the front of the cylinder head??
Actually on the front of the cylinder head...

Re: 325i got no spark

Posted: Sat Dec 08, 2012 9:16 pm
by Speedtouch
That establishes it as Motronic then, and not the earlier L-Jetronic.

Re: 325i got no spark

Posted: Sat Dec 08, 2012 9:58 pm
by Andros
So with my loom and ecu back on the car it should realy be starting up?

Re: 325i got no spark

Posted: Sat Dec 08, 2012 10:08 pm
by Andros
And a wild chip from you and my problems should be all over thanks for your help

Re: 325i got no spark

Posted: Sat Dec 08, 2012 10:31 pm
by Speedtouch
Yes, with the original 320i Motronic 1.3 ECU and a 325i chip fitted, along with the new CPS, it should all be good to go...

Re: 325i got no spark

Posted: Sat Dec 08, 2012 10:46 pm
by Andros
It will start and drive with out chip won't it for him go makesure it's running it will just run abit funny won't it?

Re: 325i got no spark

Posted: Sat Dec 08, 2012 10:47 pm
by Speedtouch
Yes, it should start and run with the 320i chip, but as you say, may run a bit 'off' since the ignition timing and fuelling won't be right.

Re: 325i got no spark

Posted: Sun Dec 09, 2012 12:09 pm
by Andros
Ok thanks just running full stop is a bonus at the min and as soon as it is I will be contacting you