E30 318i Touring - Won't start :(

Mon Jan 23, 2012 12:25 pm

Hi guys,

I've brought an E30 318i, It's been sat in my garage for a couple of weeks since I brought it. I drove it home, and have started it a few times since. However the problem developed when I removed the battery to help start another vehicle.

Now it just will not start. When I engage the ignition I can't hear the fuel pump, it turns over fine, everything appears to be working. Like I said, it drove home and started fine before? I have only done a few basic checks, like battery terminals, earths and fuses?

They seem to be all okay, I was given nothing else with the car just keys and paper work, no remote central locking or immobilizer key. I am just concerned that upon removing the battery , something now needs re-setting? Fingers crossed I am being naive, would be great if some one could shed some light...

Mon Jan 23, 2012 12:28 pm

Hi and welcome to the Zone.....

First off, i would check all the fuse's.

What year is the car ?

Mon Jan 23, 2012 7:18 pm

There are two or three smaller wires attached to the positive battery terminal, as well as the main lead that is soldered to the clamp. Check that these smaller wires are making good contact.

Mon Jan 23, 2012 8:06 pm

Its an L reg, so 1993... all the wired seem to be okay, I have had the prong tester on the connections and fuses everything seem to be in order. Turns over fine, it just will not start.

Mon Jan 23, 2012 10:57 pm

Petrol.... Put a £10er in, might have gone stale... Just a thought!

Mon Jan 23, 2012 11:29 pm

Nah, it was running fine about a week ago... its even got half a tank. It just seems the moment I took off the battery, it never started again. I have tired locking it and un-locking it, some people seem to think its the immobilizer. There are no signs of one, and I wasn't given anything to switch it off, the keys look like they were newly cut, there not the originals so maybe it had one at some point. If so does any one know how to get round it, or if that is even the problem? Cheers for your help so far guys.

Wed Jan 25, 2012 12:21 pm

Only other thing I could suggest is the wiring to the battery, checking all connections thoroughly and checking starter motor wiring for corrosion, I had this problem on an older e30 with an immobiliser fault, took ages to track the problem but it would turn over, although yours does, trace the battery wiring to the box for alarm and immobiliser!! But also sounds like no fuel getting through..change fuel filter and or check for fuel getting to the engine. Let us know??