Fuelling/electrics problem - any ideas appreciated

[Sykopaf]

Out for a drive one night the E30 just stopped running, in the middle of a roundabout. Electrics were on and engine would turnover but not fire.

After getting brought home on the back of a low loader I found that it was the fuel pump that had packed up, so I took the assembly out of the tank, swapped the pump, refitted and it ran OK again.

Briefly.

It fairly quickly developed an issue where it would drive OK 70% of the time and occasionally splutter/try to stop and then run OK again. Full details of this here, but it seemed like swapping the DME relay fixed the problem: http://www.e30zone.net/modules.php?name ... c&t=241413

Last night, out for a ride again, stopped at the Golden Arches for a milkshake, when I went to start the car it seemed like the fuel pump had gone (the brand new one) again. Turning over but not firing.

I tried short wiring the DME relay and replacing it for a spare I had with me, no joy. I've not yet had the fuel pump out and tested it independently but it certainly seems like it's gone pop (will test this weekend).

Do you know of anything that could cause this?

Any advice, suggestions or wild theories appreciated!

Cheers

[325isparda]

Hello

I have had a similar problem, but when i went to test the fuel pump it worked absolutely fine, plugged it back in again and no joy. I stripped back the wiring on the fuel pump plug and there was a break in the cable.

Ended up cutting back to some good stuff and replacing the wires and plug and it has not been a issue since.

[Grrrmachine]

Remember that these cars are governed by an ECU, so not getting fuel does NOT mean it's the fault of the fuel pump.

When it cuts out next time you need to do some checks. Is it getting spark? Are the plugs wet, sooty black, or caramel coloured? What was the engine temp when it happened? Does it happen in wet weather?

This will tell you whether it's the blue temp sensor, a failing CPS, a cracked dizzy cap, a failing coil, a dying ECU, a blocked filter somewhere or a damaged/unsecured cable. Otherwise, we're just clutching at straws.

Whatever you do, DON'T just throw new parts at it in the hope of a fix, like you did with the fuel pump. There's a high chance you'll introduce a new problem by doing so, by disturbing the existing setup.

For a more detailed answer, telling us what engine you have would be a good start.

As always, if in doubt, check the Wiki:

http://www.e30zone.net/e30zonewiki/inde ... oubleshoot

[Sykopaf]

Cheers for the replies.

My engines listed in my sig: M30B35.

The old fuel pump was definitely toast, hooked it up to a power supply and nothing.

Try to field some of these other Q's:

What was the engine temp when it happened? The engine does run warm but at the time I think it was just over half way.
Does it happen in wet weather? The first time the fuel pump went, I had been driving a long way through some pretty torrential rain, but it had been dry for maybe 40 mins when it actually cut out. Last night I'd had maybe an hour drive in it, all of it dry.

I'll check the plugs when I get home.

[Grrrmachine]

You need to check the plugs as soon as it fails to run, to see if they're wet with fuel.