e36 won't start HELP!

[mattrs]

Not had it long, 2.5 with a welded diff, so cheap i couldn't resist!

Any way it has been spot on for weeks inluding a 160 mile round trip at 80-90, so i doubt/hope its any thing major.

When i tried to start it last it sort of half started then gave up and quickly the battery died.

Today i have put the jump leads on it from my van, and its turning over a little slow but still nothing. Tried easy start too but but to no avail I am guessing there is no spark as it would start with the easy start otherwise!?

All the fuses are ok.


Any ideas please guys?

[Brianmoooore]

Same as an E30. If there's no spark,and fuel pump doesn't run when cranking, then either a supply to the ECU is missing, or the crank sensor is dead.

[mattrs]

Thanks for the reply!

How would i differentiate between those two faults?

Which one is cheper/easier to iliminate first?

Thanks again.

[mattrs]

Are there more fuses inside are all they all under the bonnet?

[Brianmoooore]

The only fuse relevant to non starting is the fuel pump fuse which is under the bonnet, although models that have batteries not under the bonnet and have two separate wires from the battery + terminal have a fusible link in the smaller cable near the battery.
If you have no spark and no fuel pump when cranking, crank sensor is the most likely.

[mattrs]

Battery is in the boot so gonna check that now (is it very near the battery)?

I don't know if the fuel pump is working or not, also i am only assuming there is no spark as it wouldn't start on easy start.


Is the crank sensor expensive? also, is it easy to change? Any way to test it prior to changing it?

Cheers.