Help please!! Car suddenly won't start!

[maciag]

i have so many problems with my car, but now to top it.. it suddenly won't start. someone please help me get it running again

the last thing i did before the car last started was installing a hood release cable, im sure i moved around some exposed wires alot because the last owner opened up the wrapping for the wires.. they got in the way a lot and im pretty sure i hit them a whole lot, if that helps..

someone please help me get my car running again!!

 

[Doughnut]

Is there air, fuel, spark??
Bumping wiring alot could be your cause, make sure all the plugs around the area you worked in are still plugged in, that large plug into the ecu also.

Not enough details mate.

 

[maciag]

i dont know how to be any more specific on what suddenly could've started this problem.. is there any questions to be asked that i can answer so ya'll can help?

the engine doesn't turn over at all

 

[Tom]

Electrical problems are very hard to diagnose. Does the car even crank when you turn the key?

 

[maciag]

Electrical problems are very hard to diagnose. Does the car even crank when you turn the key?

no

 

[Tom]

Ok, first thing I would do is check all the fuses. Make sure nothing has been blown while you are moving the wires around.

Did you happen to check the battery voltage to make sure that is good as well?

 

[maciag]

i usually always leave the battery unhooked due to an electrical problem (always has power running to the car without any key in, so i leave the negative battery terminal unhooked, but i leave the positive one hooked because i don't think that'd make a difference) and im positive none of my fuses are blown because i replaced them all about last month because i had most of them blown when i got it from the previous owner.

already tried jump starting the car, bought the battery about 2 weeks ago also.

 

[echothreezero]

If you are not getting it cranking you may have bumped the wire to the starter motor. Do you have power to everything else? i'e interior lights, headlights, heater fan etc?

 

[maciag]

yes, there's power to everything else.. someone told me i should check my spark plugs, i tried taking out my spark plugs using a 5/8 spark plug socket and it wouldnt fit? do i need a bigger or smaller socket, or what size do i use?

 

[Big Daddy]

It is not the spark plugs, they will not keep the motor from cranking over. It is either the battery (even though things work it may not have the necessary cranking power), starter or a connection to either, or a relay.

 

[echothreezero]

When you turn the key do the dash lights (red warning lights) dim or flicker? or nothing. If they dim or flicker its often a sign of low voltage - ie flat battery as big Daddy suggests (welcome back to the e21/e30 forum by the way Big fulla).

If nothing then it suggests that there is something in the circuit to the starter. May be a relay as there is one that is activated by the ignition to engage the starter solenoid and cranking circuit, or may be the wiring itself.

Try a different battery that you know is good maybe, and go to an auto sparky and get that wiring trouble fixed!

 

[maciag]

dash lights do come on and everything else, they don't flicker or anything like that.. im sure its a good battery also because i just bought it and tried to jumpstart it. i bought it new maybe less than 2 weeks ago. so that didn't effect anything at all..
put gas in the car just in case that could've been it, which it wasn't

i was going to buy relays for my car from bavauto today
i don't see which ones i buy though.. all it says is 'white relay, 5 prong relay, 4 prong relay, 5 prong relay (main relay on most cars), 4 prong relay (most applications)

and that's all it says.. no description or anything, just a title and part number. so that didn't help me much on finding which ones i need.
ill buy new relays and update ya'll from there, my abs and power windows never worked also, and all my fuses are already replaced.. can anyone show me which relays i buy, i wouldn't have a problem replacing them all because most of everything doesn't work anyways.. but i just need someone to show me which ones i would purchase to replace them all, do i just go by color and how many prongs the relay has or something?

i have an 87' 325e

 

[echothreezero]

I think you are trying to save pennies by not taking the car to someone, but it's going to cost you in the long run. These types of things are really hard to diagnose over the internet - it is much easier if the car is in front of you. I wouldn't just go out and replace all the relays - they may be OK.

Try roll-starting it if you know how - if it starts and runs fine it is likely to be something with the battery or starter motor circuit and at least this way you'll be able to drive it to be fixed. If it won't roll start then it is somethign else.

 

[Doughnut]

Try swaping relays that you have (in the car already) with the starter relay.
So..... take out say - the head light relay (that you know is working) and put it in the place of the starting relay. (I'm sorry but I'm not all that great at explaining stuff)

If you turn the key to the "start" position and you hear NO sound from the sarter (not even a slight buzz or whine) expect a loose wire to the starting solinoid, or a unserviceable starting solinoid.
Peace, and good luck.