E36 325i no spark

[danieljames]

Hi fanatics.
Bit of background-1995 E36 325i (OBD 1) 292k km. (M3.1.1 DME)
Factory alarm. Two button BMW key.
This would make it an ews 1 equipped vehicle.
So this started one evening with the central locking acting up.
http://www.bmwfanatics.co.za/showthread.php?tid=67465
Eventually I was able to start the car if I pull the 'ZKE' module. Basically voiding the immobiliser.....(interestingly)......
I found that fuse #7 kept blowing and eventually traced it to two broken wires in the boot wiring.fixed that and then I could disarm the immobiliser using the remote.

Now to the real problem.....its a bit long

I've got no spark. She cranks strong and i can smell raw fuel from the exhaust. I pulled the plugs and they're soaked....
Here's a list of what I've checked.

• plugs were replaced ~500 km ago
• earth between the motor and chassis is solid.
• earth to coils are good (*6)
• resistance on primary coils(*6) are within spec according to bentleys (0.6 ohm)
• 12v to coil packs with ignition in RUN position
• crankshaft sensor reads 522 ohm.
• checked ALL fuses with multimeter.
• dme main relay tested and operational
(Terminal 30 continuous with 87a and 87b when 85 and 86 are energised)
• fuel pump relay tested and operational
• fuse 18(fuel pump) has 12v while cranking.(but strangely not while ignition is is in 'run' before cranking the engine. The same applies to power to the fuel pump). But as stated I smell raw fuel and the plugs are wet.
• check grounds on pinout of dme using bentleys manual.
• NO water ingress to dme compartment
• crankshaft sensor input to dme is good (pin 16 and pin 43 read 522 ohm)
• pin 27 on dme to terminal 85 on main relay is continuous.(switching input-ground-for dme)
•12v continuous from main relay to dme pinout(I forget which pin specifically)

* I even tried hard jumping the dme from the relay by running a wire from terminal 85(main relay) to earth to make sure the dme is switching. Still no luck.
Everything works on this car......SHE JUST HAS NO SPARK!! my brain is fried.

I don't want to throw parts at her and hope for the best.

Is there anything I missed? Is there any other possibility as to why she's not firing?

I had the battery cables on and off quite a few times while searching for the central locking issue. Could I have fried the dme? I dont want to open it up unless i dont jave any other option. I assume the relay or any other fuse would pop before any surge current reaches the dme. I'm going to replace the main relay and fuel pump relay because it's cheap and see if it does anything.
She's been down for a whole week...THIS SUCKS!!!!!

 

[Budleigh]

Silly question possibly, but it's very easy to flood these motors if you start/stop them without a proper warm-up. Have you tried the starting procedure for a flooded M50?

 

[danieljames]

Keeping the throttle wide open?
But to be honest I don't know what the procedure is

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Oh and haven't had the codes read yet.....

 

[Budleigh]

Keeping the throttle wide open?
But to be honest I don't know what the procedure is

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Oh and haven't had the codes read yet.....

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Google is your friend, but yeah, crank with the throttle half open and see if it will catch.

 

[danieljames]

2nd week bump!!
If there are any ideas..

**Big ups to Mr. Chrisbrand for coming out to check codes for me!!!**

Unfortunately we didn't pick up anything terminal. So im still stuck in the same place.

Question....does anyone know if our 1994 e36's came with the red label 413 dme?

 

[Julz]

Hey don't forget to overlook the Alarm system.I also had electrical issues and the car wouldn't start.A faulty alarm will prevent your car from starting.Eventually I tracked it down to a bad connection at the Alarm module.
It can get real frustrating,hang in there.

 

[danieljames]

Hey don't forget to overlook the Alarm system.I also had electrical issues and the car wouldn't start.A faulty alarm will prevent your car from starting.Eventually I tracked it down to a bad connection at the Alarm module.
It can get real frustrating,hang in there.

What was your production date. Only thing is...although I'm doing a lot of searching....Most of the info I come across is from bimmerforums...and thise are mostly LHD vehicles...also what does your alarm module look like? And whereabouts does it sit behind the dash.
Sorry for all the questions, it's just that I can't seem to pin point these modules even though my dash is pieces lol

 

[danieljames]

My baby is finally on the road again. Turned out to be a battery issue. She was swinging but wouldn't fire because I didn't have a strong enuf spark. I hooked her up to a new battery and she fired right up.......although......i messed up the ICV in while trying to get her started last week. So this weekend I pulled the intake off, checked all pipes and cleaned out the ICV.

She took first time and was purring like a kitty.

Every cloud has a silver lining and I ca. Honestly say I know a lot more about my car now than I did two weeks ago. Never thought I'd go so far as to pull the dme apart.

Thanks to Chrisbrand once again for helping a fanatic in need and for all the responses.

 

[ChrisBrand]

Glad you came right bud!