Annoyance!

[Cyruz]

My car has been sat on the drive for ages because I can't get it started. I pulled and cleaned the plugs (only 3000miles old) add some more petrol just incase, tried another battery. The car is getting power to some area's the electrics work except the rear lights (indicators still work).

I've removed the alarm and imboliser that came fitted with the car as well as the central locking but now she doesn't want to start. I still need to check if it's getting fuel and spark it does fire but won't tickover. If left overnight it will fire and tickover for a second then die and then back to not ticking over at all. The ICV is also buzzing when I turn the ignition once, which I can't remember if it used to do, is this normal?

I'm going to check that it's getting fuel and spark later but still doesn't explain why the rear lights are not working. Every problem I've had with the e30 is electrical, is this a general flaw?

And another seperate question, what is this pump thing thats in the engine bay, it looks like it's got fuel lines running in to it, but I haven't traced them yet.

[GDBN]

The box looks like the ABS unit.
Buzzing from the ICV is normal when you turnthe key.

G

[Cyruz]

Hmm ok's I cleaned out the ICV anyway just incase it was fubared, but it was fine. I'm gonna try refitting the imboliser to see if it starts then I'll know that something somewhere is still imbolising the engine.

[Brianmoooore]

E30 electrics are extremely reliable, and most problems stem from alarm/immobilizer/radio fitters or servicing by chimps
That is an ABS unit, and the ICV should buzz.
Check, with a 12V lamp, that there is power at the + terminal of the ignition coil when the ignition is on.
Can't help with the rear lights without more info. i.e which rear lights?

[Cyruz]

Don't worry about the rear lights for now, the tax has died anyway so I'll focus of just getting it running. I know I can hold the HT leads to the rocker cover and see if the electricity jumps to see if I'm getting spark, what about fuel, where do I disconnect a line and turn the car over to see if it's still pumping? Fuel filter?

Where is the Ignition coil, under the steer column?

[Brianmoooore]

Where is the Ignition coil, under the steer column?

Think we could be struggling a bit here if you don't recognize an ignition coil!
It's on the RH inner wing with the HT lead to the distributor coming out of it.

[Cyruz]

Ahh I know what you mean, I've always wondered what that was

I've got a reasonable knoweldge general car parts and repairs but I stay away from wiring because I still have trouble remembering how to wire a plug so a whole car is a scary thought ;)

Anyway the car is getting spark, I shocked the crap outta myself to learn that one.... but the fuel pump is not getting any power.All the wire were traced and are connected except one, there is a wire that connects behind the dashboard infront of the driver that has been pulled loose it's grey and brown and I can't for the life of me see where it goes, this must connect to a live somewhere I guess???

Thanks again

[Brianmoooore]

Anything with a brown in it is assiciated with earth, so I wouldn't connect it to live!
Find your fuel pump relay (don't know what engine, do we?) , pull it out and link pins 30 and 87 of its base with a short piece of wire.
This should make the fuel pump run continuopusly (so don't forget to remove the link afterwards). Listen to see if you can hear the fuel pump running in the tank.

[Cyruz]

Sorry man it's a 2.5 m20

It's my old engine thats got fooked piston rings but I need it to go collect a new engine and get around for a couple more months, fingers crossed.

Thanks for all the advice as normal you are a god amongst e30 owners ;)
I will get back to you if I need yet more help.. Thanks again

[less2303]

I've got a reasonable knoweldge general car parts and repairs

Are you sure!!