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starting woes

Posted: Mon Sep 26, 2016 2:19 pm
by string
Guys

'89 320i been sat for about 2 years. Able to start before with no issues. Now when I go to start I get lights on dash but when turning key to crank nothing......
Gone through the Wiki page for starting problems.
New battery , coil tested ok , DME relay comes on , fuel pump relay doesn't unless I bridge the connections so guess thats a fault. Tested green cable and black/yellow cable and can find no breaks. Getting voltage at the ECU & starter motor. Unable to start from diags plug though?
fresh oil , coolant and fuel.
Help help please :mad:

Re: starting woes

Posted: Mon Sep 26, 2016 6:53 pm
by Brianmoooore
Everything you've tested so far is irrelevant if the car won't crank.
if it won't crank from the diagnostic socket, connect a 12 volt bulb of at least 5W, preferably more, between pin 14 of the diagnostic socket and a good body earth (rear bonnet bracket), and a good engine earth (cam cover nuts) in turn, and confirm it lights at both.
Carefully check that you have identified pins 11 and 14 correctly.
On a four cylinder car, I would say carefully check the engine to body earth strap, but if you attempt to start a 6 cylinder car with this faulty, smoke will pour from the engine loom, as the earth wire to the oil level sensor melts.
Lastly (for now) link the 6mm stud on the starter solenoid to the outer 8mm stud with a screwdriver blade, as in the traditional method of twocing in the good old days.

Re: starting woes

Posted: Mon Sep 26, 2016 7:05 pm
by string
Thanks Brian will try all your suggestions and update. :)