Starting problems on a 320i 1989 Tourer

[Laserbluetourer]

Hi, i've just found this board after purchasing a 1989 320i Tourer Auto.

Sorry my first post has to be about a problem that i'm having with the car, but at the moment i'm not really getting much joy out of it LOL!!

The problem i'm having is starting it from cold in the morning.

I've replaced at the moment:
Dist Cap
Rotar arm
Spark plugs
ECU Temp sensor (blue on top of themostat housing)

Also cleaned idle control valve and air flow meter and still to no avail, the car still fails to start from 1-5 mins.

Any help would be greatly appreciated as you guys seem to know what you're talking about.

Many Thanks
Laserbluetourer!

[ian332isport]

Welcome to the Zone

What are the symptoms. Does it crank and try to fire, or just spin over without trying ? Can you smell petrol ?

You say it 'fails to start from 1-5 mins'. Do you mean that if you leave it for a while it will start, or you have to mess with it for a while before it starts ?

Sorry for all the questions..

Ian.

[Laserbluetourer]

Welcome to the Zone

What are the symptoms. Does it crank and try to fire, or just spin over without trying ? Can you smell petrol ?

You say it 'fails to start from 1-5 mins'. Do you mean that if you leave it for a while it will start, or you have to mess with it for a while before it starts ?

Sorry for all the questions..

Ian.

Thanks for reply Ian....

it just spins and spins then it fires up then stops and its just spins up again when it does finally start you have to rev it a bit almost to clear something little lumpy to you give it a good rev then its spot on
after its warm it will start first time every time as soon as its just when its left overnight but when it does start theres a little blue smoke witch i think is valve stem oil seals but ive had this before and did not ever cause these probs

hope this helps a little i just dont no what to replace next

Cheers

[ian332isport]

Hmmm.

I think I'd probably try bypassing the fuel pump relay as a next step. It's quite common on E30's for these to get a bit iffy in later life. You can find it under the black plastic cover on the left inner wing:



Just remove the relay and connect terminals 30 & 87 together with a piece of wire. This will force the fuel pump to run all the time, so don't leave it like this all the time. I find it easier to make a small test lead up with a male spade terminal each end.

If this does not help, then have a look at the crank position sensor down by the front crank pulley. These can suffer from gunge and oil contamination etc which can cause weird starting problems. Just get a can of Brake cleaner and give it a good old squirt to remove the crap and see if that does the trick.

Cheers,

Ian.

[mason]

[quote="ian332isport"]Hmmm.

I think I'd probably try bypassing the fuel pump relay as a next step. It's quite common on E30's for these to get a bit iffy in later life. You can find it under the black plastic cover on the left inner wing:



Just remove the relay and connect terminals 30 & 87 together with a piece of wire. This will force the fuel pump to run all the time, so don't leave it like this all the time. I find it easier to make a small test lead up with a male spade terminal each end.

If this does not help, then have a look at the crank position sensor down by the front crank pulley. These can suffer from gunge and oil contamination etc which can cause weird starting problems. Just get a can of Brake cleaner and give it a good old squirt to remove the crap and see if that does the trick.

Cheers

Excellent advice from a true legend

Mason

[Laserbluetourer]

Thanks ever so much Ian

I'm going to try what you've kindly suggested today and i'll let you know how i get on. Cross fingers this works as it is a lovely car to drive other than this problem.

I really appreciate all the help

Many Thanks
Laserbluetourer

[Laserbluetourer]

THANK YOU Ian!!

I done what you recommended regarding the crank shaft sensor, took it off and cleaned it in petrol. Also i bridged the fuel pump as you suggested and funnily it started first time

So today i went to BMW and bought a new fuel pump relay and started it for the second time and again started first time!

I cannot thank you enough.

I really appreciate the time you have taken to help me with this problem.

Now i can enjoy this little dream without thinking of putting a hammer to it LOL!!

Again, Thank you so much for your knowledge. Hopefully this advice you have given me will help some others out who may be having the same problem.

Thanks Ian!!
You're a star!!

Laserbluetourer

[ian332isport]

No probs. Glad I could help

Cheers,

Ian.