'88 320i Atlantis Blue Convertible

[boxclever1753]

Hello there

After years of thinking i should get another E30, I found a great, original & standard car just in need of some love. It has a starting and idling issue after been stood for more than 6 months so I'll start digging into it in the next few weeks. So here it is just loaded up for the journey back to Bristol. No doubt lots of questions to follow soon

[flybynite]

Looks tidy

[boxclever1753]

Looks tidy

It's alright! It's so original it's amazing, and has a huge history file with the original sales invoice too - showing the only options fitted were heated sports leather seats... not even upgraded wheels! So is exactly as it came from the factory in March 1988 Now to get it running again!

[Tzantushka]

Awesome - sound like a time capsule.
What are the plans?

And of course more pics when you get a chance please

[boxclever1753]

Awesome - sound like a time capsule.
What are the plans?

And of course more pics when you get a chance please

Thanks, mate! It is a bit of a time capsule... the only change from factory spec is an Alpine DAB radio and a sh1tty cone filter.. and the filter will be put back to standard soon!

My immediate plans are to get it running and to make it reliable. Then I've got some period 15 inch MIMS alloys (which I'm refurbing at the moment) as I do feel 14 inch wheels are a bit small. Don't worry, it's not going all big wheels and spoilers although it will be lowered an inch or so as all E30's sit too high - in my opinion, obvs!

[boxclever1753]

So i thought I'd have my first look at the starting/idling issues this morning and as the battery is dead I hooked it up to my jump pack to see what's happening. There was a nice fast cranking but no firing, Was checking fuses and relays and discovered this:



The top one is the main relay, middle is the fuel pump and the bottom is the O2 sensor (i think) - local BMW dealer was closed by the time I thought to call them and see if they had these in stock.

[boxclever1753]

So it starts... or doesn't!!

I got replacements for the main relay and the fuel pump relay and crossed my fingers and turned the key. No change to the status quo - it just cranks. There is no sound of the fuel pump priming so when i get time over the next few days i'll see what's happening back there before I start buying more parts. It was never going to be easy, right?

Ha!!

[coopman]

If it was easy, it wouldn't be fun.

[boxclever1753]

If it was easy, it wouldn't be fun.

Ha! Yep ;)

[boxclever1753]

Picked up my MIMS wheels last night, was a deal on eBay - the wheels have been sandblasted already so just need sanding back then priming, painting and clearcoat which I hope to do sometime this week. I've already got 205/50x15 tyres ready to go on so once the car is running again I can get them fitted.

Also had the lowering springs arrive along with a new shorter aerial for the rear wing. The lowering springs will just take an inch or so off the height to stop it looking like it has a lift kit on it, like most E30's

[flybynite]

Don't know if you remember this but useful to run through for starting problems.

https://www.e30zone.net/e30wiki/index.p ... oubleshoot

'Gentle' tap on the fuel pump sometimes kicks it into life

[boxclever1753]

Don't know if you remember this but useful to run through for starting problems.

https://www.e30zone.net/e30wiki/index.p ... oubleshoot

'Gentle' tap on the fuel pump sometimes kicks it into life

Really good shout. Thanks mate, will definitely be adding this to the list of things to try before I start throwing money at it!

[Sanchez]

I had loose wiring on the top of the fuel pump once.

[boxclever1753]

I had loose wiring on the top of the fuel pump once.

Thanks for the suggestion, I'll be pulling up the rear seat to have a look on the weekend

[boxclever1753]

So.....

I found the crank position sensor was unplugged at the bottom of the engine - why would that be? That would stop it running, right? It's very grimy and the clip looked a bit broken so I ordered a new one but plugged it in anyway. It didn't start.

Today I replaced all three of those relays and the car started..... it ran for about a minute... hunting and surging and then struggling to idle and then it eventually cut out. And a few more cranks and couldn't get it to start again.

The first time it started I did hear the fuel pump but not sure if i heard it again - but it obviously works if it started, right?

So I'm waiting for the new CPS to arrive and that'll be the next fingers crossed moment!

[rix313]

They're so pretty in this blue with the chrome bumpers. There used to be one opposite where I worked and I just to stare at it out the window haha.

[boxclever1753]

They're so pretty in this blue with the chrome bumpers. There used to be one opposite where I worked and I just to stare at it out the window haha.

I'm surprised that I agree with you but I do, the E30 dark blues with chrome look so period and the word pretty is such a good descriptor

[rix313]

Yes the CPS being unplugged will mean it wont run the fuel pump or fire the coil either. Maybe someone did it to immobilise the car then forgot? or they got half way through trying to make it work and just left it dangling.

[boxclever1753]

Yes the CPS being unplugged will mean it wont run the fuel pump or fire the coil either. Maybe someone did it to immobilise the car then forgot? Who knows what reasons people do things for

Well, I'm just digging into the untruths that were told me about the car not running before I bought it... and i did see a video of it running, but can't date the video unfortunately. All I was told is that nothing had been done apart from a new CPS was installed.. and nothing else.

I found all three relays next to the MAF either smashed or missing and then found the CPS unplugged but feeling broken. Relays now replaced and a new CPS will be fitted and then let's see where we are.

I'd like to drive the car now that I own it!!

[boxclever1753]

HI guys, so here's a little update for you...

I thought i was being clever by ordering a cheaper CPS from Lithuania which has arrived and is not the correct part. They have been good about it and are in the process of replacing it for the correct one but I've decided I need to go OEM on this crucial part so ordered the right one from Cotswold yesterday.

So I've been doing a few jobs while I'm unable to start the car, things I want to update and sort. I've swapped over the 3-spoke steering wheel for the standard 4-spoke one.. I much prefer the 4-spoke and will have this unless I man up (or come into money) to pay for a 370mm tech 2 wheel. And I swapped front and side markers for clear lenses with chrome (flashing orange) bulbs

I've collected my MIMS 1900's from the refurber and they look amazing, got the tyres mounted up too so am ready to go. Just waiting on 10mm spacers to arrive so they clear the front callipers. Will take a picture when they are on.

And did a mini detail while the weather was good. I clay-barred the car and then used some quick spray wax to seal it for now. It's come up well and hides a multitude of problem areas - swirls and rust mainly, but these will all get addressed at some point. I'll put a picture up below, i then went and treated the black trims but didn't take a picture of this.

I also fitted a new battery which it needs but upon changing found that the wrong size was fitted before - the car had a smaller 075 size and not the correct 096 size. Glad to sort these little cut-corners. And the car is properly trying to start now....

Anyway, next update when the OEM CPS arrives.



Cheers,
Rich

[martauto]

Wow Rich, she looks soooooooooo lovely
Hope it`s on the road soon mate

Mart.

[boxclever1753]

Wow Rich, she looks soooooooooo lovely
Hope it`s on the road soon mate

Mart.

Thanks Mart, she's a little beauty. An honest, showing her age a bit, little beauty

[Tzantushka]

Like any supermodel - looks great for her age!

Are you going to re paint or re colour the wing mirrors eventually?

[boxclever1753]

Like any supermodel - looks great for her age!

Are you going to re paint or re colour the wing mirrors eventually?

That’s a good question, and one I hadn’t thought about! Were they colour coded on chromies? I guess I’ll try and restore the black finish.

[martauto]

Bottle tops look excellent on that car !!

Mart.

[boxclever1753]

Bottle tops look excellent on that car !!

Mart.

Hmmmm.... I've never been a fan, but they do kinda suit it! But the MIMS will be going on when the spacers get here - the spacers i bought yesterday are shit so i'm not putting them on the car... when will i learn? buy once, buy right!!!

[martauto]

What is wrong with them ??

Mart.

[boxclever1753]

What is wrong with them ??

Mart.

I only really wanted 10mm and they said they were an E30 fit (not hubcentric) but when they arrived they are drilled for multi fitment. And just not good quality. I just manned up and bought correct 15mm hubcentrics with extended bolts.

[martauto]

What is wrong with them ??

Mart.

I only really wanted 10mm and they said they were an E30 fit (not hubcentric) but when they arrived they are drilled for multi fitment. And just not good quality. I just manned up and bought correct 15mm hubcentrics with extended bolts.

You know when things are not correct, they just don`t look right !!
Nice one mate

Mart.

[boxclever1753]

Hi guys

I'm running out of skills here, not patience. The Cotswold BW supplied CPS arrived today and I fitted it which has changed nothing. Still won't start. I've got an E30 knowledgable friend coming round later to see if he can suggest anything.

But using the https://www.e30zone.net/e30wiki/index.p ... oubleshoot guide to work through... i start at Start on the left and get down to listen to fuel pump and check for spark. I've pulled up the rear seat, undone the panel, checked the connections are tight and there is no sound. The cover looks like it has never been touched before and the dead spiders and dust inside the panel show that too. The only buzzing I hear is from the ICV, no fuel pump noise. My mate is going to check for spark later for me but this is where I'm up to.

If he isn't able to make any headway then I'm thinking of getting an auto-electrician to come round but it sounds like the E30Zone is a better resource - I'm just a little stuck at the moment.

Could i call the AA and say "the damn thing just won't start?" ... and let them come out and see what they suggest....

Any help or input is, as always, greatly appreciated.

Rich

[BenHar]

Try the Bridge the Fuel Pump Relay link towards the bottom on the left side of the trouble shooting page.

Ben

[boxclever1753]

Try the Bridge the Fuel Pump Relay link towards the bottom on the left side of the trouble shooting page.

Ben

Hey Ben

So have now checked for spark and all six leads are fine. Powered the fuel pump directly and could hear the fuel pump very well, but car doesn't start. Pulled a fuel line off and saw fuel being pumped out. Fuel pump relay doesn't look like the right one - it is a four pin but misses one of the powered pin slots so I wonder if that is the problem. I bought this relay from BMW but maybe they gave me the wrong one...... need another to check this.

So could this issue be that the timing is out? It looks like a new-ish water pump but wondering if after they did the belt and the water pump that it never started and they just pushed it to the side and never tried to start it again....

I've proved a few times now that my seller has lied to me so I wonder if when he said he had it running recently that this could be his final lie.......

[Brianmoooore]

Missed this thread up until now!
First thing to remember is that an internal combustion engine of this age is not a very complicated device, and there are only a very few conditions that have to be met for it to run. Getting it to run properly is another thing altogether.
Compression, fuel injected at a suitable mixture strength, and a spark at approximately the right time, and it will run.
All you have to do is work out which of these is the problem.
Timing: If this is a Motronic 2.0l, with the distributor on the end of the cam, then the timing is either close enough to run, or the engine will have bet its valves and not have compression.
A clue that you have is that the fuel pump doesn't run when the engine is cranked, so you need to concentrate on this.
Are you sure that the relays by the AFM are in the right places? You can't go by their positions, because the holders are easily moved around.
Check that the orange four pin relay is plugged into a base that has a green/purple wire connected to one pin.
Check that the white five pin DME relay is plugged into the base that has a connection to the centre pin.

[boxclever1753]

Missed this thread up until now!
First thing to remember is that an internal combustion engine of this age is not a very complicated device, and there are only a very few conditions that have to be met for it to run. Getting it to run properly is another thing altogether.
Compression, fuel injected at a suitable mixture strength, and a spark at approximately the right time, and it will run.
All you have to do is work out which of these is the problem.
Timing: If this is a Motronic 2.0l, with the distributor on the end of the cam, then the timing is either close enough to run, or the engine will have bet its valves and not have compression.
A clue that you have is that the fuel pump doesn't run when the engine is cranked, so you need to concentrate on this.
Are you sure that the relays by the AFM are in the right places? You can't go by their positions, because the holders are easily moved around.
Check that the orange four pin relay is plugged into a base that has a green/purple wire connected to one pin.
Check that the white five pin DME relay is plugged into the base that has a connection to the centre pin.

Thanks Brian - yeah, we've narrowed it down to something electrical stopping the fuel pump running... the timing issue was just a question really.

I hadn't thought about the relays not being in the right place - i'll have a look in the morning (i'm off to work nights in a sec) for what wires are plugged into which bases.

Will report back

[BristolE30]

Missed this thread up until now!
First thing to remember is that an internal combustion engine of this age is not a very complicated device, and there are only a very few conditions that have to be met for it to run. Getting it to run properly is another thing altogether.
Compression, fuel injected at a suitable mixture strength, and a spark at approximately the right time, and it will run.
All you have to do is work out which of these is the problem.
Timing: If this is a Motronic 2.0l, with the distributor on the end of the cam, then the timing is either close enough to run, or the engine will have bet its valves and not have compression.
A clue that you have is that the fuel pump doesn't run when the engine is cranked, so you need to concentrate on this.
Are you sure that the relays by the AFM are in the right places? You can't go by their positions, because the holders are easily moved around.
Check that the orange four pin relay is plugged into a base that has a green/purple wire connected to one pin.
Check that the white five pin DME relay is plugged into the base that has a connection to the centre pin.

Thanks Brian - yeah, we've narrowed it down to something electrical stopping the fuel pump running... the timing issue was just a question really.

I hadn't thought about the relays not being in the right place - i'll have a look in the morning (i'm off to work nights in a sec) for what wires are plugged into which bases.

Will report back

I’ve also only just seen this post! As Brian says it’ll be something simple in the end, just a case of finding the issue.

I’m happy to come by in my 325i and we could compare relay positions and go over some trouble shooting. Where did you say you based in Bristol again?