Fuel system help ??????

Messages
9
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0
Location
Long Beach, Ca.
#1
I have a 91 318i, and have been really enjoying it. Yesterday while in the fastlane of the 5 freeway (speed around 30 or so, in traffic) my lights come on and it dies. I get to the side of the road and try to start it again, nothing, cranks with no sign of wanting to run. After about 30 minutes it starts, and i try to get closer to my home. Once again it dies after going about 3 or almost or 4 miles, and never started again. My friend sprayed some starting fluid in the intake and it ran for 4 seconds or so. I replaced the fuel filter the next day, and it ran for almost a minute, then died again. Does this sound like the fuel pump??? I dont know where all the components of my system are, but i have a multimeter, and would like to know how to find the problem on my own. I put my code reader to the car and came up with no codes. Could the fuel pump relay be my cause? and where is it? how to test it? I pulled the two fuel hoses off of the lines coming out of the manifold ( some fuel shot out under pressure from the lower of the 2 hoses), and cranked the engine, and saw no fuel being delivered. Thank you for any help in advance. All help is greatly appreciated.
 

Big Daddy

Senior Member
Messages
10,446
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5
Location
PNW (Left) Coast
#2
Could be a fuel pump relay, but it is most likely a fuel pump. It is located under the back seat in the top of the tank. I believe you can switch the relay with another under the hood and see if it helps.
 
Last edited:
Messages
9
Likes
0
Location
Long Beach, Ca.
#3
In the manual it showes the relay on the left side above the wheelwell (middle one of the three), but i don`t have one there. Diferent location maybe??? Does it have some way i can identify it? And would it creat a situation similar to what i described?? can i test it? thank for helping
 
Messages
70
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0
Location
Leominster, Mass
#5
My car had a similar problem. I was flying down the road heading home and the car died like it was outta fuel. I had it towed home and tried to figure it out. After buying a fuel pump, I found out that I had a broken wire right by the fuel pump. Just something to check. I hope it helps.
 
Messages
9
Likes
0
Location
Long Beach, Ca.
#6
Problem solved, I found the relay , and it was good. Got the pump out and it was bad. Surprisingly, it wasn`t hard to get it out. Good thing for the access panel under the seat. Thanks guys, i appreciate it....
 


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