E30 Zone

Hi guys

I’m having problems with my 325 e30 starting .
The following things happen

It cranks for ages before it starts and then doesn’t
Turn the key again and it then starts

Sometimes car doesn’t start and it doesn’t seem to engage starter motor as it just clicks .

Leave it for a bit and it does start

Car has a Clifford alarm but this seems ok arming and disarming .

Any ideas ......

Anyone ?

1/ get a fresh, fully charged battery

2/ check that the fuel pump is correct for a 6 cylinder.
I had this problem before and was fixed by removing the bodged fuel pump from a 4-pot and fitting correct pump

Fully charged battery 100%
Correct fuel pump fitted

you got two issue there. knackeed starter motor. (2 )

check fuel pressure . long cranking generally means . low pressure or fuel pressure is not holding.
have you got a long crank with hot engine. (1 )

It does seem to fire up quicker when warm .

How can I check fuel pressure ?

How do you know if starter is no good ?

to check fuel pressure put a gauge in line . you can get a cheap fuel pressure gauge from ebay about 15 £
you need some fuel hose and two jubilee clips. it should be 3 bar as stated on the fpr. put in the feed line after the fuel filter before the fuel rail. not in the return line. when was the filter changed last ?

you said the starter motor just clicks, if battery good , could be the solenoid that engages the drive pinion into the ring gear on fly wheel , needs replacing. but more folk just buy a new starter.
check wiring to starter and relays if any first. earths and fuses.
before you go splashing out on a s/m.

is it a new fuel pump ?

use voltage drop to check out the leads. many vids on youtube explaining voltage drop useful tool once you undrstand it.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DfLyh43iihM


this bloke is amazing and knows his stuff

arrisbmw wrote:is it a new fuel pump ?

No it isn’t new fuel pump

arrisbmw wrote:to check fuel pressure put a gauge in line . you can get a cheap fuel pressure gauge from ebay about 15 £
you need some fuel hose and two jubilee clips. it should be 3 bar as stated on the fpr. put in the feed line after the fuel filter before the fuel rail. not in the return line. when was the filter changed last ?

you said the starter motor just clicks, if battery good , could be the solenoid that engages the drive pinion into the ring gear on fly wheel , needs replacing. but more folk just buy a new starter.
check wiring to starter and relays if any first. earths and fuses.
before you go splashing out on a s/m.

Great will give that a go. I recently changed the fuel filter thinking that may help

yes defo help , check you fpr fuel pressure regulator ,