IS Conversion. ---Not Starting.....HELP!

Post Tue Jul 12, 2005 7:10 pm

Andy, i tried that mate, and yes their wet with fuel once i turn it over.

Mark How do i check to seeif im getting power to the injectors?I dont have a multimeter, but should be able to borrow one.Where do i test mate?

Post Tue Jul 12, 2005 8:28 pm

SwirlyE30 wrote:Andy, i tried that mate, and yes their wet with fuel once i turn it over.

Mark How do i check to seeif im getting power to the injectors?I dont have a multimeter, but should be able to borrow one.Where do i test mate?

Like you said on the phone, if the plugs are wet then the injectors are firing OK, just off to dig out the sensors for you, and the fixing bolt! might even have some brand spanking new ones for you

Post Tue Jul 12, 2005 8:32 pm

You don't need a multimeter. I hardly ever use one when I work on car electrics.
My two main tools are a long length of wire with a crocodile clip on each end and a fuseholder in the middle, and a 12V5W lamp attached to two pieces of wire, also fitted with crocodile clips.

Post Tue Jul 12, 2005 8:32 pm

yeh cam/crank sensor it is then i reckon

Post Tue Jul 12, 2005 9:06 pm

Right.Well ive had the bloke round with his Diagnostic stuff and the only thing he can think off is crank/cam sensors.

The dodgy wire he said was off an old alarm, and it has been bridged together (bodged) at the end that is lose, so in effect its doing nothing to hamper the starting.

I mentioned the sensors but said id heard that if you get a spark then the sensors should be ok, he confirmed this but said you only need one sensor to work to be able to get a spark, but 2 to be working in order for it to fire up.

He couldnt tell me which, but said its most likly the crank sensor.He said as its fueling, sparking etc, then the fuel isnt getting in as the injectors arnt opening because the crank sensor dosnt work, as shown on his computer.

Cheers mark!!

Post Tue Jul 12, 2005 9:36 pm

I hope it is the crank sensor, as i can't find a cam sensor... i've got this faint memory now of selling it to someone else way back...

Found a couple of screws too, 2nd hand. Can't find my stash of new bolts either

I'll get them in the post tomorrow. Thets all hope it works soon

Post Tue Jul 12, 2005 11:16 pm

So how long until you have a sensor? Gary is a top bloke, he used to be a main dealer mechanic so he knows his BMW's. You will have to shoot round when its done Sam.

Post Tue Jul 12, 2005 11:21 pm

jamie325isport wrote:So how long until you have a sensor? Gary is a top bloke, he used to be a main dealer mechanic so he knows his BMW's. You will have to shoot round when its done Sam.

I've got one that will be going in the post in the morning, so should be there by Thursday, shame is i don't have a spare cam sensor

Post Wed Jul 13, 2005 11:19 pm

Ok mate thanks.So its the crank sensor you sent yeh?

If that dont work, then ill burn the thing!

Post Thu Jul 14, 2005 9:18 am

Feck i didn't post your parcel yesterday... so sorry forget all about it.

I'll deff' post it today and it WILL be with you tomorrow. Crank sensor only.

Post Thu Jul 14, 2005 10:05 am

demlot has a spare cam sensor by the way..... and a crank sensor...

cos i gave him my blown engine which had both if these new sensors on

Post Thu Jul 14, 2005 3:12 pm

Fingers crossed that its the crank sensor then mate, let us know how you get on.

Post Fri Jul 15, 2005 11:35 am

Just fitting the new (second hand but working) crank sensor from E30Mark, and still fcuk all.

Cleaned it up and made sure it was screwed all the way up.But nothing.

This is really starting to p*ss me off now.

The bloke said the injectors were stuck, or somthing, and that another crank sensor would sort it out

Post Fri Jul 15, 2005 1:00 pm

cam sensor mate

Post Fri Jul 15, 2005 1:53 pm

Take the hose to the throttle body off and give it some ether from a can of "easistart", or feed it propane from a red gas cylinder.
If it's sparking, it should run after a fashion.

Post Fri Jul 15, 2005 3:58 pm

just a daft thought but can you mix the crank and cam sensors in eachothers socket like m40-would give your symptom

Post Fri Jul 15, 2005 4:24 pm

Karan,ill have to go with that mate.Ill give Demlot a call and see if he can sort me out with that one if he dosnt mind getting rid of it.

Brian, where can you buy this 'easistart' ? is it just a propelant that will try to kick start it to fire up?

Gcorky- Well ive got the sensors plugged into the sockets that they were when i got the engine mate.Ill try swapping them around, although i cant see it helping, seems as if they look like their in the right way round.

This is propper gay!

Post Fri Jul 15, 2005 5:02 pm

SwirlyE30 wrote:Karan,ill have to go with that mate.Ill give Demlot a call and see if he can sort me out with that one if he dosnt mind getting rid of it.

Brian, where can you buy this 'easistart' ? is it just a propelant that will try to kick start it to fire up?

Gcorky- Well ive got the sensors plugged into the sockets that they were when i got the engine mate.Ill try swapping them around, although i cant see it helping, seems as if they look like their in the right way round.

This is propper gay!

when this happened to my iS i was lost so i took it to main delaer and they knew it was the cam sensor instantly..each sensir is Ãƒ”šÃ‚£60 new..... they fitted both cam and crank sensors for Ãƒ”šÃ‚£140 all in....

im still going with cam sensor....

Post Fri Jul 15, 2005 5:18 pm

dunno?m40 cars run with them oc or diconnected?and why would it fail on engine swap ?tricky well see soon enough hopefully

Post Fri Jul 15, 2005 5:37 pm

that easistart stuff is in a spray-can and acts as artificial petrol as such. Basically spray a bit into the throttle body inlet and it should kick into life (at least I think this is what Brian is thinking of).

Post Fri Jul 15, 2005 5:37 pm

gcorky wrote:dunno?m40 cars run with them oc or diconnected?and why would it fail on engine swap ?tricky well see soon enough hopefully

m40 has a rotor arm.... iS runs distributorless ignition with 4 coils and a cam sensor.... the m40 and 42 are very diifferent kettles of fish

Post Fri Jul 15, 2005 5:56 pm

but isnt the m42 a wasted spark system ?i hope the sensor fettles it but the majority of faults dodgy plugs and or dryjoints etc.what was the code on the diagnostic reader??***** 4 or 5 digit i think .think in this case a known good engine running removed with loom etc and transplated then a non starter would indicate loom /wiring fault .

Post Fri Jul 15, 2005 6:30 pm

Jimbob-Where can you buy it mate?

"that easistart stuff is in a spray-can and acts as artificial petrol as such. Basically spray a bit into the throttle body inlet and it should kick into life (at least I think this is what Brian is thinking of) "

Only thing is, it might kick start it, but if its the sensor then it wont actually start normally.But i guess at least ill know it starts up fine etc, and if it runs then its got to be purely the sensor or somthing electrical.

Do halfords do it mate?

Post Fri Jul 15, 2005 6:35 pm

Dunno mate, they might do. Having re-read my post I cant remember if its the throttle body inlet u spray it into but I'm sure I remember seeing my mechanic do it to my car over a year ago (back when i knew squat - still arguable!).

Do you have any Bosch garages in your area? - They're generally auto-electricians

Post Fri Jul 15, 2005 6:36 pm

Try a motor factors or agricultural suppliers. It's used for coaxing reluctant (= clapped) diesels into life.

Post Sat Jul 16, 2005 11:03 pm

Cheers for all the replys guys.

Hopefully Demlots gonna be sending me a Cam Sensor.

I found some easystart type stuff in the garage and sprayed some into the TB with it open.Tried starting it and heard a bit of a clunk +chug, and some light smke from the exhaust.I didnt try letting the car turn over or spray any more as i wasnt sure what happened.

Hopefully it shuold be ok, but wasnt sure what to expect.

I was thinking, ifs its some kind sensor problem, if i was able to turn the car over using some easystart stuff, would it not just cut out straight away anyway? As the sensors not telling the ECU the engines running?

Some advice would be great guys, thanks!

Post Sat Jul 16, 2005 11:07 pm

easistart eather type stuff is dodgy-wouldnt bother with it old diesels maybe

itll run soon m8

Post Sat Jul 16, 2005 11:21 pm

Oh right ok. Cheers mate. I wont try anymore then!

Well if its not the cam sensor my dads gonna take it into work and get the blokes to look at it. If not ill have to take it to BMW, but they will rape me for parts, saying it needs a service etc.

Do you recon the engine would have been ok after the atempt at starting it? I smelt the exhaust and it smells of Easystart, so i take it there was a combustion and it went through the sytstem. The clank noise wernt to comforting tho!

Post Sat Jul 16, 2005 11:31 pm

thats normal easistart combustion aarrrggghh sounds horrible and engines that need it get addicted and will eventually require it to start till a rebuild!!!!

Post Sat Jul 16, 2005 11:35 pm

Oh right, ok, thats going in the bin then. Hopefully nothing was damaged.

Going on holiday for the next week, hoping to have the car already done if my old man gets chance, by the time i get back. So ill let you all know the progress.!

Cheers for the advice, bit reluctant about going away and leaving it! Not sure it will ever start now lol

Post Sun Jul 17, 2005 12:09 am

gcorky wrote:thats normal easistart combustion aarrrggghh sounds horrible and engines that need it get addicted and will eventually require it to start till a rebuild!!!!

Urban myth. What possible damage could a few seconds of ether do to an engine?
Souds like the ether might have been compression igniting only. i.e. no spark.

Post Sun Jul 17, 2005 8:40 am

not sayin swirley givin a squirt done any damage,usually for engines with poor compression but as they wear they eventually depend on it to start full stop.

i would never recommend it to be used in bmw petrol engine that somebody was goin to keep

you can knacker rods, hole pistons etc with its uncontrolled combustion,if youve ever been tryin to fire an engine up and used this you may have had a case where the engine stalls out i.e locks on compression as it fires well before tdc oooooohhhhhhh dodgy kit which was ok for old diesel engines on a cold mornin.
in swirleys case using it isnt goin to help anyway as his car has run well recently(so not a compression issue)it is down to fuel/ ignition problem so it would burn the easistart in a fashion and stop.

PUT THE CAN AWAY SWIRLEYlol

Post Sun Jul 17, 2005 9:32 am

gcorky wrote:)it is down to fuel/ ignition problem so it would burn the easistart in a fashion and stop.

PUT THE CAN AWAY SWIRLEYlol

That's why I'm suggesting using it. If yuou give the engine an alternative fuel source, it will show whether the problem is fuel or sparks.
Engines are simple devices - fuel, sparks, compression all at roughly the correct times and they run.

Post Sun Jul 17, 2005 9:59 am

I think sam needs to do weld the coil brackets first! then try again.

A

Post Sun Jul 17, 2005 10:21 am

Brianmoooore wrote:
gcorky wrote:)it is down to fuel/ ignition problem so it would burn the easistart in a fashion and stop.

PUT THE CAN AWAY SWIRLEYlol
That's why I'm suggesting using it. If yuou give the engine an alternative fuel source, it will show whether the problem is fuel or sparks.
Engines are simple devices - fuel, sparks, compression all at roughly the correct times and they run.

no conclusion as obviously ether is the fuel substitute but will combust upon compression so an engine with no fuel or spark.but if swirley wants i can supply 300 litres of ether and just use is car like that banging away .anyway enuff said about ether its