BMW 320i e90 cranks but does not start

[ProfLebza]

Hi Fanatics, I hope you will be able to guide me as to what to do with my problem.

I paid some guys who deal with BMW and Volvo, to inspect what the issues were with my car. The diagnostic tool only showed issues with sensors. The car wasn't cranking at first but I bought a new starter(Got it for 1900 at Goldwagen on Beyers Naude) and they changed it for me for 2500 (Including the diagnosing of the problem and call to house service charge).

After they changed the starter, it started cranking but not starting. They tested whether there was spark in the spark plugs (while cranking) but there was none. Checked whether fuel was being sent to the fuel injectors but it was not. They tested whether the power was flowing through my speakers under the rear seat and they said the power wasn't going through (My battery is also new).

I desperately want my car to get back on the road, can you please tell me what the problem might be? Computer box maybe? Fuel pump? How much must I budget for to get the car back on the road? Where must I go to get my car fixed?

 

[Clint@MMS AUTO]

Hi Fanatics, I hope you will be able to guide me as to what to do with my problem.

I paid some guys who deal with BMW and Volvo, to inspect what the issues were with my car. The diagnostic tool only showed issues with sensors. The car wasn't cranking at first but I bought a new starter(Got it for 1900 at Goldwagen on Beyers Naude) and they changed it for me for 2500 (Including the diagnosing of the problem and call to house service charge).

After they changed the starter, it started cranking but not starting. They tested whether there was spark in the spark plugs (while cranking) but there was none. Checked whether fuel was being sent to the fuel injectors but it was not. They tested whether the power was flowing through my speakers under the rear seat and they said the power wasn't going through (My battery is also new).

I desperately want my car to get back on the road, can you please tell me what the problem might be? Computer box maybe? Fuel pump? How much must I budget for to get the car back on the road? Where must I go to get my car fixed?

it can be anything really... what where the symptoms just before the car stopped working?

 

[ProfLebza]

it can be anything really... what where the symptoms just before the car stopped working?

The car was running just fine but got stuck inside the complex while driving out to work. Didn't wanna start so we towed it back into the garage and got the above mentioned guys to come diagnose the problem and fix it for me. Just recently bought a motor warranty, so I am in the 90 days waiting period. Not sure how much it will cost me to take it straight to BMW.

 

[momo1]

Whats the diagnosis on the fuel pump?
on my old E87 120i (same engine) I had a similar issue, the car suddenly went into limp mode the one day, not revving pass 3000rpm, and suddenly switched off.
it would then crank but bot start, this was my fuel pump, I had it replaced and all was well after that.
I guess I was lucky as the mech and I had suspicion it was the pump and it was.
but like John above says it could be anything really.
Valvetronic motor is a common issue on these car, do you have the engine light on? could also be spark plugs, battery, coils or anythingelse.
hope you come right and please do let is know on progress.

 

[ProfLebza]

Hi Momo1, thanks for your reply. I bought new spark plugs, new battery. Is it possible that it might be a computer box as well? Is a computer box repairable or would I need to buy a new one if it's the issue? How much does replacing a fuel pump normally cost?

 

[momo1]

Hi Momo1, thanks for your reply. I bought new spark plugs, new battery. Is it possible that it might be a computer box as well? Is a computer box repairable or would I need to buy a new one if it's the issue? How much does replacing a fuel pump normally cost?

I paid R2800 for a new fuel pump over a year ago when I still had the car, it wasn't an original, I'm sure it was a Bosch.
is a small possibility could be ECU, but than again I doubt it would even crank if it was?

 

[vamudzengi]

Mine did that & the problem was the computer box

Sent from my E6653 using Tapatalk

 

[Sabretooth tiger]

I would suggest you get the car over to Gert from OBD Worx.

 

[Bandile]

Check your ignition fuse(s) under the cubby, just can't remember which one(s) exactly. There's also a relay & fuses you can check where your ECU sits, again, can't remember which ones exactly.

Lastly check your BST cable as well. I once had an incident where it just randomly overheated and blew "open" while I was driving as it should when you're in a collision, although I wasn't. What then happened was that the car refused to start after I switched it off, but all the lights were on & the radio was playing. However, when jump starting it, it would start. Switch it off, no start again.

The smell of burnt plastic was what led me to the boot & eventually see the BST cable blown apart on the metal bits. I then removed it from the car & knocked it into place with a hammer to make proper contact, & reinstalled it back into the car. Start the car & problem was resolved, no more jump starts ever since.

Hope this helps. If not, contact Gert as per post above.

 

[ProfLebza]

I would suggest you get the car over to Gert from OBD Worx.

Will try to get hold of him. Are his prices standard market prices or over the top?

 

[Clint@MMS AUTO]

I would suggest you get the car over to Gert from OBD Worx.

Will try to get hold of him. Are his prices standard market prices or over the top?

His prices are "HIS" prices lol... call him and ask... if he cant help you diagnose the issue, very few will be able to :hammerhead:

 

[ProfLebza]

Check your ignition fuse(s) under the cubby, just can't remember which one(s) exactly. There's also a relay & fuses you can check where your ECU sits, again, can't remember which ones exactly.

Lastly check your BST cable as well. I once had an incident where it just randomly overheated and blew "open" while I was driving as it should when you're in a collision, although I wasn't. What then happened was that the car refused to start after I switched it off, but all the lights were on & the radio was playing. However, when jump starting it, it would start. Switch it off, no start again.

The smell of burnt plastic was what led me to the boot & eventually see the BST cable blown apart on the metal bits. I then removed it from the car & knocked it into place with a hammer to make proper contact, & reinstalled it back into the car. Start the car & problem was resolved, no more jump starts ever since.

Hope this helps. If not, contact Gert as per post above.

Thanks Bandile. Will try this when I knock off.

---

I would suggest you get the car over to Gert from OBD Worx.

Will try to get hold of him. Are his prices standard market prices or over the top?

His prices are "HIS" prices lol... call him and ask... if he cant help you diagnose the issue, very few will be able to :hammerhead:

Called hm and he says he deals with electrical issues. Said I need to take it to a BMW specialist, should they find that there is an electrical issue, I can call him and he'll sort that out. I am really desperate now. Any BMW specialist you guys recommend around Greenstone or Edenvale?

 

[momo1]

Check your ignition fuse(s) under the cubby, just can't remember which one(s) exactly. There's also a relay & fuses you can check where your ECU sits, again, can't remember which ones exactly.

Lastly check your BST cable as well. I once had an incident where it just randomly overheated and blew "open" while I was driving as it should when you're in a collision, although I wasn't. What then happened was that the car refused to start after I switched it off, but all the lights were on & the radio was playing. However, when jump starting it, it would start. Switch it off, no start again.

The smell of burnt plastic was what led me to the boot & eventually see the BST cable blown apart on the metal bits. I then removed it from the car & knocked it into place with a hammer to make proper contact, & reinstalled it back into the car. Start the car & problem was resolved, no more jump starts ever since.

Hope this helps. If not, contact Gert as per post above.

Thanks Bandile. Will try this when I knock off.

---

I would suggest you get the car over to Gert from OBD Worx.

Will try to get hold of him. Are his prices standard market prices or over the top?

His prices are "HIS" prices lol... call him and ask... if he cant help you diagnose the issue, very few will be able to :hammerhead:

Called hm and he says he deals with electrical issues. Said I need to take it to a BMW specialist, should they find that there is an electrical issue, I can call him and he'll sort that out. I am really desperate now. Any BMW specialist you guys recommend around Greenstone or Edenvale?

---

Hi bud
if he cant help you, I would suggest you rather take it to your closest BMW dealership and have diagnostics done so they can establish the problem for sure (Note: they do charge for this and will first ask if they should go ahead with the repairing)
once you know the issue you can then take it to an independent mech or workshop.

 

[Clint@MMS AUTO]

Check your ignition fuse(s) under the cubby, just can't remember which one(s) exactly. There's also a relay & fuses you can check where your ECU sits, again, can't remember which ones exactly.

Lastly check your BST cable as well. I once had an incident where it just randomly overheated and blew "open" while I was driving as it should when you're in a collision, although I wasn't. What then happened was that the car refused to start after I switched it off, but all the lights were on & the radio was playing. However, when jump starting it, it would start. Switch it off, no start again.

The smell of burnt plastic was what led me to the boot & eventually see the BST cable blown apart on the metal bits. I then removed it from the car & knocked it into place with a hammer to make proper contact, & reinstalled it back into the car. Start the car & problem was resolved, no more jump starts ever since.

Hope this helps. If not, contact Gert as per post above.

Thanks Bandile. Will try this when I knock off.

---

I would suggest you get the car over to Gert from OBD Worx.

Will try to get hold of him. Are his prices standard market prices or over the top?

His prices are "HIS" prices lol... call him and ask... if he cant help you diagnose the issue, very few will be able to :hammerhead:

Called hm and he says he deals with electrical issues. Said I need to take it to a BMW specialist, should they find that there is an electrical issue, I can call him and he'll sort that out. I am really desperate now. Any BMW specialist you guys recommend around Greenstone or Edenvale?

---

sorry bra, was under the impression that he could diagnose the faulty as he has all the right diagnostics to read codes and point you to the problem section...

 

[Ratslaaf]

Hey guys,

Yes Lebo did call me. Because he's in Greenstone it's most likely inconvenient for him to get the car towed all the way to me. I generally don't work on cars themselves like this, as I work from home. I did recommend someone he can tow the car to in Greenstone. Based on that diagnosis I'd be able to assist if there's something wrong with the electronics on the car.

Thanks for all the heads up though, much appreciated!

 

[Kenny007]

Hey guys,

Yes Lebo did call me. Because he's in Greenstone it's most likely inconvenient for him to get the car towed all the way to me. I generally don't work on cars themselves like this, as I work from home. I did recommend someone he can tow the car to in Greenstone. Based on that diagnosis I'd be able to assist if there's something wrong with the electronics on the car.

Thanks for all the heads up though, much appreciated!

Hi. Whats your contact details..? Can you pls send me a message regarding a problem on my car?? 078 453 7700.

Regards

 

[Isinamuva Auto]

I also have the same problem with a 320i e90, it cranks but no start. We were changing the battery after working on the engine and there some spark when connecting the battery and then boom, there was no spark and no injection. Please help:dunnoanymore: