E30 Zone

Hi Chaps,

I know this is an E30 forum and Im asking an E36 question, but theres a tonne of knowledge on here.

I have done a search, but couldn't find anything. If there is and I've missed it, feel free to punch me in the face.

Having a few problems with my '97 328 touring. It doesn't seem to work!

About 3 weeks ago, i got in the car and it wouldn't really fire. It cranked ok, then it seemed to fire but it was spluttering and not properly firing and as soon as I let go of the key, it would die.
I turned the key to click 1 to see if I could hear the fuel pump whirring and I just seemed to get a 'click' from the fuel pump area instead. I didn't have any tools on me, to I lifted up the back seat and gave the inspection cover a good smack.
Tried starting again and it seemed to turn over smoothly, but die as soon as I let go of the key again. Then after 4 or 5 attempts at this it wouldn't fire at all.
I have replaced the fuel pump and this doesn't seem to have changed anything. All fuses seem OK, too.

It might be worth noting that a few months ago the ignition barrel gave up the ghost, so I'm using the key in the ignition and a screwdriver in the plastic sprung ignition switch bit. Could this be related?

Any help appreciated.

Thanks

i had a problem on my old e36 which had done really high mileage and knackered the ignition barrel, waat was happening when i turned the key was the whole lot rotated - not allowing me to start the car

I found an online guide which showed you how to remove the barrel with some hair clips on youtube, next i drilled and tapped a hole in the casing and loctited in a small grub screw - re assembled and never had any problems again

be careful of the immobiliser wiring if you start removing casings

Try changing the fuel filter friend ran his dry and sucked up a lot of crap from the tank and it was doing this, replaced the filter started first turn

jimmyspeed wrote:i had a problem on my old e36 which had done really high mileage and knackered the ignition barrel, waat was happening when i turned the key was the whole lot rotated - not allowing me to start the car

I found an online guide which showed you how to remove the barrel with some hair clips on youtube, next i drilled and tapped a hole in the casing and loctited in a small grub screw - re assembled and never had any problems again

be careful of the immobiliser wiring if you start removing casings

The same thing happened to me! Seems a common E36 thing. Nightmare when you're sat in a carpark wanting to leave work on a Friday... I still can't get the barrel out so I'm starting it with a screwdriver ha.

diable wrote:Check the cam and crank position sensors you may need to get the codes read.

Also it may be a stupid idea but does the touring suffer the same fate as the coupes with the loom chaffing in the boot lid?

I've a feeling so, a design fault they say. Probably explains why my rear wiper doesn't work and every now and again the OBC flashes 'check brake light loom. See owners manual'

Car seems to be OK now. I re-checked the fuse and it was fine, but I changed it anyway and it started straight away. So turns out it was a dodgy fuse (which looks fine)...

Yeah, so, I'm an idiot. Thanks for the tips though chaps.

Now.. who wants a 328 touring?