Yard find wont start

[ric325i]

about a month ago i got told about a pre-face 325i that had been stud for some time. i got told the sensors on the gearbox had gone so it would not start and all that was needed was a face-lift engine loom with crank and sensor to get it going.


the face-lift engine loom is on with crank and sensor but it wont start. its turns over but thats it.

i get a spark but only a week one. what would cause a week spark?

i bought new plugs as it looked to be over fuelling in the past, the leads look good (though i suppose you cant really tell) and the dizzy cap has been changed for a 'better' one but still the spark is week.


so the car wont start and the spark is week, can anyone help?

[jaffro]

ecu?

[Speedtouch]

Duff ignition coil?

[ric325i]

checked the coil on Gall's 335i and it was strong enough to start that.

would the ecu give a week spark? its a chipped 320i (face-lift) one to match the loom.

hum?

[Speedtouch]

Which ECU is it? Some of the 380/381s were reknowned for blowing diodes that affect the idle control circuit, but I doubt it would cause a weak spark. Could be worth measuring the resistance of the king lead from centre of dizzy cap to the ignition coil HT output - should be around 10kOhms or less.

[ric325i]

nice info man , i will check that at the weekend.

i think i will get a new dizzy cap anyway but is there any other reason for a week spark? the idle control valve was clicking strangly at one point....

i have a chipped 325i ecu which i can try at the weekend too.

[Speedtouch]

Probably worth trying a new rotor arm also. Different ECU defo sounds worth a try. Also check all the engine to body earth straps.

[ric325i]

cheers man.

the rotor arm look ace in honesty but yeah if im changing the dizzy the arm should be changed too.
ecu is next thing to try.



is there anything that needs to be done when the engine loom is changed over?
i have not changed the oil level or pressure senders but i assume they dont make much difference.
and all the fuses are not in the fuse box but again i assume they dont have much to do with it cranking over?

[gnarkillius]

The only time mine didnt start, it was the fuel pump. Back one within the fuel tank.

Can you hear this buzz for a sec when you turn the ignition on?

[ric325i]

i hear the buzz none stop! it goes mental.
could try the spare pumps if i can find them?

after some questions about ecu's im thinking towards a fuel issue

[jaffro]

i still think electrical prob mate

[gall]

BRIAN HELP!!!!!