No spark.. please help need car tomorrow (new cps still no s

[bobbin1982]

Yes im grovelling

Ok basically my auto gearbox isnt working as it should but i assume it should not affect me getting a spark...

The car has been fine for ages i had a problem of the PCS rubbing on the flywheel before and i replaced the coil dizzy and rotor arm and installed new plugs before i found the problem... so these SHOULD be fine..

I was driving home after shopping and the car just died at a pedestrian crossing. I got a tow home and first thing i checked was PCS but seems to be not rubbing on the flywheel as before...

Has anyone got any ideas what i can check?

I really need the car for work tomorrow


Thanks, Andy

[E30BeemerLad]

I would rule out the gearbox Andy as (unless I am wrong) the inhibitor switch under the gear selector prevents the car from even turning over unless you have it in Park when trying to start. Can't see anything else gearbox related stopping it from getting a spark.

Be careful towing the car (i know it can't be avoided) for any distance as autos do not like being towed.

Prime suspect has to be the wire from that crank sensor which was getting chewed. What is to say the wire isn't broken inside?

[bobbin1982]

no you are right it could be chewed it looks pretty chewed to be honest but has been working fine for a couple of months
... any way around this?... can i join a peice between or anything?

As i say im desperate lol


Andy

[E30BeemerLad]

I would say if you can splice some wires in there as a temp measure, maybe it'll work as a temp bodge/ get you to work fix.

I'll have a look in my parts stash, pretty sure I have a M20 crank sensor with all my scrap, if I do (not knowing if it works or not) I'll post it to you fella.

[bobbin1982]

Ok ill give tghat a go...

Your a gent..want anything for it?..
I thought it was part of the HT leads? and not seperate


Andy

[E30BeemerLad]

These are what I have Andy, not sure if these may be from the earlier motronic setup where the sensors are on the flywheel end rather than at the front of the engine like yours will be

If they are any good and look the same as what you have, you can have them FOC

[bobbin1982]

bummer mine is different..no problem though it was a kind thought you had

Ill hope wilco or gsf or ecp have one in or can get one..



This look likely to be the cause?
I think im gonna re-route the new one
by the way im not even gonna try and splice this.. looks fooked
Andy

[E30BeemerLad]

I have just had a look on both GSF and ECP websites and can't find any crank sensors listed, so I would doubt Wilco will have them.

You don't even want to guess the price from BMW, but it is probably 3 figures.

I would put a wanted ad up on here mate, hopefully someone will be able to get one to you before the weekend.

[bobbin1982]

looking at mine though it seems the wires arent actually cut through its just took a lot of rubber away..

I put some insulation tape around it and re-routed it in front of the dizzy and still nothing.. is there anthing else that could be the problem or any checks before i cry myself to sleep cos i have to miss 2 days money at work


Cheers beemerlad

[town325i]

I have one £20 posted

[luke4073]

i had same prob few months ago had a break in the wire between crank sensor and ecu routed new wire and has not let me down since not sayi it your problem but worth a look i supose

[bobbin1982]

well yes all options are taken on..you have a picture of this?..or even better can you come show me? hah


Andy

[luke4073]

i can come show u if u need me to . on mine it was the wire from the crank sensor plug back to the ecu

[bobbin1982]

Yeah why not.. pop over and say hello.. nice to meet fellow zoners and all that (plus i want to see your car)



Pm me with when your about this weekend


Andy

[town325i]

TBH judging by the state of that wire its definattly you crank sensor

[bobbin1982]

Yeh is a little mullered to say the least

I did strip the outer casing off and find just 2 wires though with no breaks in the copper and i wrapped insulation tape round each wire induvidully and then taped together but still no joy unfortunatly


Andy

[b17]

luke - bobbin - wouldn't mind meeting up with fellow zoners too as I'm in Norwich and would like to see a working e30! Mines forever being tinkered with....

[bobbin1982]

Mines not exactly working

But yeah im fine with it ... Think me and luke are meeting sunday at mine

Where abouts are you in Norwich? Pm me to save spamming the thread

[bobbin1982]

Ok put the 2nd hand CPS on and still no spark...
What do i try now?....coil pack?


Andy

[bobbin1982]

just changed coil over to a spare and checked dizzy.. all seems fine..

[bobbin1982]

suppose im gon na have to tryyour theory luke..

Would a dodgy ecu cause this?

[vokietis]

must be ecu...

[bobbin1982]

How do i perform the basic checks?

I dont have a multimeter

[baptie0]

all you need is a 12v bulb and some wire, then you can check for a feed & earth.

[luke4073]

or i can bring one over sunday

[bobbin1982]

luke that sounds like a good idea mate... i hate electrics and dont know anything about them

[Brianmoooore]

Stop swapping, and get testing!

[bobbin1982]

I will purchase myself a multimeter in the week at some point.. hopefully me and luke can get her started sunday

[Brianmoooore]

90% of testing is best done with a simple 12 volt bulb. I use an indicator repeater bulb, holder and lead, with the plug cut off.

[bobbin1982]

i know what ill be doing next time im up the scrapyard then ;)

[luke4073]

ive only had 2 probs with ma car in 2 years and both were down to brittle/broken wires but in a car 20 + years old i dont expect anything else. not saying it could be ya problem but anything worth a try

[bobbin1982]

hopefully we will find the problem tomorrow

[DBB83]

Did you get this fixed?

It could be the same issue as mine -
http://www.e30zone.net/modules.php?name ... highlight=

I am going to take my flywheel off next week and see if I can find a replacement.

What year is your car?