325i not starting

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D17LLY
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Thu Nov 26, 2009 9:28 pm

I have a 325i it seems like the car is immobilised as it does not crank over, there is no alarm fitted to the car, what would be the first things to check all help would be appreciated.

Thanks
e301988325i
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Thu Nov 26, 2009 9:45 pm

Battery? what have you checked already?
I said:

Can anyone suggest how to test if the boot lights are staying on with the boot shut?

e30topless said:

lock the wife in there
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D17LLY
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Thu Nov 26, 2009 9:48 pm

LOL................
Sorry I have checked the battery even have it on charge at the moment. Was thinking of checking all fuses over the weekend what else could i check as it does not seem to crank over
beemerbird
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Thu Nov 26, 2009 10:04 pm

To be honest, until you've checked all of your fuses, it's a bit premature asking what could be wrong. Happy fuse hunting at the weekend, and then check back in :D
If it ain't broke, fix it till it is
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Brianmoooore
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Thu Nov 26, 2009 11:37 pm

There are NO fuses that will stop the engine from cranking!
Only one fuse that will prevent an E30 from starting - fuel pump, #11.
On E30s with a rear mounted battery only, there is a fusible link in the supply to the engine loom.
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D17LLY
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Fri Nov 27, 2009 7:22 pm

Hi just a quick up date been out to the car fuse no 11 is fine and not blown.

Tried to do the Jumper pins 11 & 14 to see if it cranks nothing happens. Jumper 11 being white & green and 14 being black and white. Is this correct.

Del
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D17LLY
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Fri Nov 27, 2009 7:29 pm

Thanks willnz pm sent back to you.
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D17LLY
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Fri Nov 27, 2009 7:31 pm

Thanks willnz will go and try this again now and let you know how i get on.
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D17LLY
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Fri Nov 27, 2009 7:59 pm

willnz been out to the car again I was checking the wrong plug. It is the one to the front of the car not the one near the fuse box.

Well I have connected 11 & 14 and it makes a clicking noise but when turning the key there is no clicking or cranking when turning the key in the ignition.

of the topic but the windows and lights all seem to be working. What would be the next thing to check.

Del.
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D17LLY
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Fri Nov 27, 2009 8:24 pm

willnz thanks will be getting a battery out of a mates car which is used daily, in the morning and will update on what happens. Going for few beers now...........
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D17LLY
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Sat Nov 28, 2009 11:16 am

Update on the car this morning. I have swapped the battery from my mates car abit of progress.......

When trying to turn the key from the ignition nothing appears to happen it was like this with my battery in the car but when doing the pin test 11 & 14 it was just clicking.

After putting in the battery from a friends car when turning the key nothing happens, but when connecting pins 11 and 14 the car cranks but does not start.

I am going to take spark plugs out and see if there is any spark how can i check to see if there is fuel coming in to the car, the fuse 11 which i beleive is for the fuel pump is fine.
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Brianmoooore
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Sat Nov 28, 2009 1:19 pm

If all you get is a click when connecting 11 and 14, then either you have a dud starter motor, a problem with the large battery cables, or the earth strap from the engine to the body.
Keep 11 and 14 connected for several seconds, then feel around all the relevant connections for one getting hot.
If the engine doesn't crank, then you won't have any fuel pump activity or sparks!
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D17LLY
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Sat Nov 28, 2009 3:43 pm

Another update”¦...

New battery fitted when turning key from ignition it does nothing. From pin 11 & 14 it cranks over but does not start. Removed spark plug and placed on rocker cover there is spark. Pipe going to fuel rail removed this and there is fuel coming to the car. So car has spark and fuel but will not start.

From inside the car I have connected a wire from the black wire which is on the steering column over to the glove box where there is a black and yellow wire car cranks over from the key now, but not starting.

From the glove box side there is a black & yellow wire going to an orange relay. There is also a black & yellow wire which goes out the bulkhead wiring and goes of to the plug on the bulk head in the engine bay. What I would like to know should the black & yellow wire from the orange relay connect to the wire going to the bulkhead and then from there connect to the steering column.

I have a green 2 pin connection going to a green wire and green red wire that is connecting to the green block from the dash which also has a brown wire and a brown & yellow wire.

Last of all my car is an auto 325i if this any help.
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davse30
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Sat Nov 28, 2009 6:53 pm

may sound a daft question but being an auto did you have it in park or neutral while trying to start it as it wont start if not in this position , if you tried it in park try it in neutral as you may have a dodgey micro switch in park which will stop the engine turning over , when cranking engine with jumper wire is your ignition switch in position 2 (dash lights on) :?:
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D17LLY
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Sat Nov 28, 2009 7:09 pm

I am sure the car was in Park. Will have to try it in neutral to see if it a dodgey micro switch. Not sure if ignition switch was in postion 2 will have to try this in the week and will upate.
PaulyV
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Sun Nov 29, 2009 7:45 pm

Simply a note to say the same has happened to my 318i m40 after being pushed from behind whilst in gear (manual)...I will watch this thread and if anything pops up on the thread I added today will copy it in here - it's damn frustrating.

I just fitted a replacement starter motor today and the situation has not improved so bear that in mind!

best of luck for both our sakes!

Pauly
1990 318i LUX, Alpine White, 80,000 miles, as close to mint as I'll ever get.
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D17LLY
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Sat Dec 26, 2009 4:35 pm

Not had a chance to do anything to the car for a while. Been out to it today and this is the update I have.

Fuel coming up to fuel rail
There is spark removed plug and placed on rocker cover

Removed dizzy and cleaned the connections

Still not starting what else can I try while I am of to see if I can get it started.


Thanks
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Brianmoooore
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Sat Dec 26, 2009 8:26 pm

Are the tips of the spark plugs wet with fuel after a cranking session?
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D17LLY
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Sun Dec 27, 2009 10:35 am

They did seem wet I used a heat gun to dry them of and tried again but no joy. What else can I try
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D17LLY
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Wed Dec 30, 2009 7:23 pm

update today

Car cranking by the key cheked the coil to see if there is power to it, bulb does not light up when on ignition only when trying to crank it over is this the way it should be.
Checked the red/white wire going to the injectors with the ignition on and there is 12V.

Question when putting a probe on the Air Flow Meter wires should it be lighthing up if so what No.
I have 4 wires there grey, grey/purple, grey/blue, grey/yellow.

Thanks
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Brianmoooore
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Wed Dec 30, 2009 7:34 pm

willnz wrote: Put a globe onto the green wire + on the coil and to ground,
Did you do as willnz said, or do as you thought he said, and connect the bulb across the coil?
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D17LLY
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Wed Dec 30, 2009 8:53 pm

Connected on the + of the coil and then across. Is this not the correct thing to do.
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Brianmoooore
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Wed Dec 30, 2009 10:04 pm

willnz wrote: Put a globe onto the green wire + on the coil and to ground,
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D17LLY
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Thu Dec 31, 2009 11:04 am

I have put a globe on the green wire + on the coil and to ground, now when i put the ignition on globe lights up and when I crank the car it lights up.

Sorry I had miss read what willnz had said.
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D17LLY
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Thu Dec 31, 2009 3:06 pm

Bump.......

car still not starting any other ideas on what else I can try.
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Brianmoooore
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Thu Dec 31, 2009 6:04 pm

Now do the rest of what willnz said!
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