Help needed 1987 325i auto not starting

[rash777]

Howsit guys, anyone that can help with something that i can try or else if someone can come to my place and start it for me...

it was driving fine, took it to have the undercarriage washed, after that she started fine drove it home and parked it, the only thing i did was remove the steering wheel and make it straight, after that when i wanted to take her for a drive to see if the wheel was straight she refused to start....

car swings, its getting fuel, no spark, things i have checked, 2 sensors on gearbox, OK took it to Auto ECU and they tested them.
coil okay, Bought a new one and put it in still no start

distributor cap and rotor looks fine, cleaned points on cap and used some sand paper on the rotor metal points.

please guys im desperate for any help. I am out of options. i have found a main engine relay and going to try that today.:ty:

0826784660

 

[JayDrft]

Hi Rash, where you based?

It sounds like something got wet, but it should still show some form of life.

If you not getting spark, at what point are you not seeing spark? Is it at the end of the plug lead? At the coil?

The 325 has the crank sensor - check your plugs on that, as if this guy doesn't give signal, you may have an issue.

Other than that - your dist. cap and rotor may need replacing, but this all depends on where your spark stops.

Awaiting your feedback....

 

[The Game]

We had a similar problem with a 1990 320i Plastic bumper
No spark, guy changed plugs, coil, fuel pump
My dad told me to check the rotor,

turned out to be the rotor...

 

[JayDrft]

As the game stated - it could be the rotor.

The rotor needs a fairly tight gap between the cap points, if they fouled up and you sanded them, it might make that gap too big - hence not allowing the spark to transfer, however - this will be indicated by where your spark stops.

 

[rash777]

Hi Rash, where you based?

It sounds like something got wet, but it should still show some form of life.

If you not getting spark, at what point are you not seeing spark? Is it at the end of the plug lead? At the coil?

The 325 has the crank sensor - check your plugs on that, as if this guy doesn't give signal, you may have an issue.

Other than that - your dist. cap and rotor may need replacing, but this all depends on where your spark stops.

Awaiting your feedback....

Howsit man, i took both the sensors from the gearbox to Auto ECU and they checked and confirmed that its working. I need to know how do i check for signal from it? Not that clever... LOL

i was thinking about pulling out the distributor this evening and taking it to them to test. I am pulling my hair out with this car now....



Thanks for the replies guys...

---

We had a similar problem with a 1990 320i Plastic bumper
No spark, guy changed plugs, coil, fuel pump
My dad told me to check the rotor,

turned out to be the rotor...

Maybe i will just go buy one today and try before i pull the distributor.... will let you know... thanks.

 

[JayDrft]

Hi Rash,

You mentioned that you removed the sensors from the gearbox, the one I am talking about is just below the front crank pulley where your belts run...it sits below the crack pulley at an angle.

If I can recall correctly, the wire runs up along side the block over the head and connects close by.

 

[rash777]

Hi Rash,

You mentioned that you removed the sensors from the gearbox, the one I am talking about is just below the front crank pulley where your belts run...it sits below the crack pulley at an angle.

If I can recall correctly, the wire runs up along side the block over the head and connects close by.

I know the one you talking about but thats on the later model mine is the older one with the crank pickup above the crank pulley that connects into the diagnostic plug and cannot be unplugged and this car has 2 sensors on the gearbox.... crank and speed sensors... thats what they called from what i am being told....

 

[rash777]

Guys i am really lost now.... i had someone come look at it for me told me it was the computer box that wasnt sending signal to the sensors so i took it out and the sensors and took them to Auto ECU where they tested it and says there is nothing wrong with it... now i dunno... mgwaiting::dunnoanymore:

 

[Kolbe]

Guys i am really lost now.... i had someone come look at it for me told me it was the computer box that wasnt sending signal to the sensors so i took it out and the sensors and took them to Auto ECU where they tested it and says there is nothing wrong with it... now i dunno... mgwaiting::dunnoanymore:

Hi, had the same problem on an E30 M40 318i. Go to Goldwagen and buy a new distributor rotor - they are not expensive and they pack up without much warning. Took me a week to fault find that! If that fails, replace the relay on the top of the firewall. Good luck - please give us a feedback when you've found the problem!

 

[rash777]

Ok will try that out today... thanks

 

[rash777]

Guys apparently i need a computer box... mine is cooked... anyone know where i can get one.... or where i can get it repaired... Not Auto ECU as i took it to them and they tested it saying its okay...

 

[momo1]

Knoob question

but hows your battery?

 

[rash777]

Knoob question

but hows your battery?

i swopped the battery from the i20 to the bm ...still no start....:=):

 

[JayDrft]

Rash,

I may have an old one laying around - I just need to dig for it.

 

[ZaynM]

Guys apparently i need a computer box... mine is cooked... anyone know where i can get one.... or where i can get it repaired... Not Auto ECU as i took it to them and they tested it saying its okay...

If you don't mind me asking, how do you know the computer box is cooked?
Auto ECU also tested your sensors, have you checks those again?

 

[zippy320]

I use this to check my E30 when it had its starting issue , maybe it could help you .

http://www.e30zone.net/e30zonewiki/index.php/Engines_Troubleshoot#Green_Wire

Its very easy to check for yourself , get yourself a multi-meter from any spares shop .

I also suggest replacing your main relay and coolant temp sensor ,( the blue one) buy them from bosh , they are cheap!

 

[rash777]

Guys apparently i need a computer box... mine is cooked... anyone know where i can get one.... or where i can get it repaired... Not Auto ECU as i took it to them and they tested it saying its okay...

If you don't mind me asking, how do you know the computer box is cooked?
Auto ECU also tested your sensors, have you checks those again?

Well the auto electrician that was at my place took my ECU and plugged it into his car... doesn't start... he didn't want to try his one in my car for some or other reason.... sensors were checked with the multi meter and give the 500 odd ohms according to the Bentley manual... i have someone that can apparently fix the computer box coming around tonight.. .so we will see from there...

---

I use this to check my E30 when it had its starting issue , maybe it could help you .

http://www.e30zone.net/e30zonewiki/index.php/Engines_Troubleshoot#Green_Wire

Its very easy to check for yourself , get yourself a multi-meter from any spares shop .

I also suggest replacing your main relay and coolant temp sensor ,( the blue one) buy them from bosh , they are cheap!

Wow awesome in all my searches on the net never came across this... thank you going to try it...

---

Rash,

I may have an old one laying around - I just need to dig for it.

I will appreciate it... let me know 0826784660

 

[rash777]

So guys i got another computer box.... plugged in and when i crank it she almost wants to start....but doesnt... have spark now and the fuel pump comes on when cranking.... it like almost starts... so we have some progress...:hammerhead:

 

[Nobz330i]

So guys i got another computer box.... plugged in and when i crank it she almost wants to start....but doesnt... have spark now and the fuel pump comes on when cranking.... it like almost starts... so we have some progress...:hammerhead:

That's good news, hope it comes alright soon.

 

[BeemerFanatic]

Water on engine or underneath, have you tried Q20 on your plug leads both on the distributor side and the plug side?

i use to have this issue alot with my old cars especially when it rained or i hit a huge water puddle.