RANDOM CUTOUT

[calex]

Hi, was driving home from work last night and car just stopped with no warning, turns over fine but not starting. where do i start?

[bigwinn]

Crank position sensor was my issue on this.... check cable to see if worn

[Grrrmachine]

You start here:

http://www.e30zone.net/e30zonewiki/inde ... oubleshoot

[Brianmoooore]

It would also help if you gave us some clue as to what your car is!

[calex]

yes sorry its a 325 m20. it was just turning over but not stating. i looked at the fuel pump and put a booster pack on the connections to see if the pump worked and it didnt so i put them the other way and it made a noise, then i put the plug back on and tried it again and it started. i think the pump was jammed so may need to change it.

[Brianmoooore]

You are probably correct. It's quite common for an ageing pump to start jamming in this way, and reverse powering it would very likely free it up.
It's likely to start failing at ever more frequent intervals, so start looking for a fresh one. In the meantime, a sharp tap on the top of the pump, under the inspection hatch, with something like a hammer handle, while the engine is being turned over will usually bring it back to temporary life.

[calex]

thanks i guess i better put a post up looking for one then!

[Brianmoooore]

Discounting the early external pump versions, there are two versions of the E30 pump, depending on tank capacity/design. Your car will have a 62 litre fuel tank, and requires a pump assembly with a single pipe connection on top of it. The pumps for the 55 litre tanks have two pipe connections, but can be used with your car either by swapping over the actual pump into your old frame, or by blanking off the second connection with a short piece of hose, a couple of hose clips, and something like a sawn off small bolt to block the end of the hose.