Just Died

[Inline_6]

This is a 1985 325e w/230K miles. The car has been well maintained, two years ago I replaced the computer with an upgraded unit, also replaced this list of parts: timing belt & water pump, all hoses & belts, both fuel pumps & relays, distributor cap & rotor, plug wires, Airflow sensor box, fuel filter & regulator, all fuel lines, vacuum hoses were replaced. Didn't want any trouble for a while.

Now for the problem. This evening as I tried to start it, had to run starter for about 30 seconds then engine started immidiately. Backed out of drive & pulled into alley behind house to look at fence, backed up and engine died. When trying to start it up, it turns over like there's no spark at all. I messed around with the wire on the starter solinoid, coil wire & crank angle sensor plugs, it started one more time breifly and ran clean but died again like I'd turned the ignition off. Fuel pump runs when turning engine over. No spark seems to be the culprit.

Any suggestions as to what I need to check or replace are more then welcome. I'd hate to replace a crank angle sensor & find out that it wasn't the problem.

 

[Inline_6]

Still Wondering

Spent an hour yesterday checking things. When the ignition key is turned, the main fuel pump should run correct? It wasn't so I removed the relay & jumped it, the main pump runs and puts out. Tried to start the engine with it jumped but no fire.

Now I'm wondering how the order of things go. Turn key to ignition, main fuel pump should come on. Crank engine, crank angle sensors should tell computer to fire some spark plugs and get going. This is starting to sound like a computer problem....ignition modual is incorporated inside the computer. It's "only" 95 degrees here today. Anyone know if the computer has a code LED on it and maybe the code keys? I've been through this before where you have to disconnect the computers terminal plug and bend the clips so they make better contact. Maybe it's time to do it again. With so many grounds, maybe a ground wire loosened up. Anyone care to take a shot at what I should be looking for? Ignition switch maybe?

 

[nadroj]

[No message]

 

[Inline_6]

Update

Had a little time to sort this out. The reason why the fuel pump didn't run after trying to start the engine a few times is, when fuel pressure is present, the computer doesn't call for the pump to run. Also, no fire at the plugs was because the computer didn't see engine rotation. Bottom line, crank angle sensors were bad. This car has two located at the flywheel. Two are ordered & should have car running by the end of the week.

It's tough to diagnose a problem over the phone, let alone a web site. I just thought someone here might have been familier enough with this car & know right away what it was.

 

[Rukus]

what the hell were you looking at a fence for tho?

 

[ooo000HITMAN000ooo]

nice to know that you found out what was wrong

 

[Inline_6]

Fence Check

rukus,
If you must know. Every neighborhood has it's asshole neighbor. Unfortunately ours lives behind me. My yard is situated on a hill, alley behind house is four feet below my yard level. I built a retaining wall with schedule 40 galvinized fence posts situated into the cement. The fence is six foot cedar atop the retaining wall, gaps covered on the outside with strips so it's a true privacy fence. I put in a pool and made the backyard more usable now that the " felon & son" were no longer visable. However, being such felonious creatures as they are. I installed a closed circuit camera system to maintain a visual surveilance on the parimeter. Upon reveiwing the tape Friday, I noticed some activity directly behind my fence that required attension. Hence the swing into the alley to have a look & see what they were up too. I could have driven my big monster truck for a show of force, do a turn-around in his yard, through his house preferably but that wouldn't be neighborly would it? In the sixteen years I've lived here, he's turned me into the city health department 120 times. We have a city code that prohibits working on your vihicle in a residential area. Doesn't matter that the car is inside the garage behind a privacy fence. Residential area means anywhere but an area where people live. I must add, I've never been fined and the city inspectors are always polite. It's their job to come out & check. My yard is always neat, no vehicles parked on the grass or on blocks. The attemp is to put me on a "watch" list by calling in 30 times a day to report a "possible" violation. Forunately I have a good friend who's father is the suporvisor over the city inspectors. No favors, just an understanding "who and why" he's complaining. Anyway, I'm not moving, this house is paid for and it's cheap living. Now I'm saving up for that 7-series I've always wanted. Maybe an 850ics six speed manual. I'll always keep the little 3-series to run errands, maybe keep working on it until it's turbocharged or something....

 

[Bimmubishi]

That's a crazy story! I can't belive you can't work on a car in a residential area! Well, if I were you I'd sue him for harrassment or something. That's way out of hand.

 

[Inline_6]

Not Running YEt

Sorry to say this but, the car isn't running yet. I had spoken with the local BMW expert. We went over the problem and it could be a few things. His first approach was to replace the timing pickups. They came in Friday. Replaced both of them, still no fire.

Next suspect is the coil. I removed it from the car. On the bench, put 12V to the positive post, high tension wire held close to the negative post & touched the 12V ground to the coils negative post. That should have caused a spark. Instead it was a short. I get the same Ohm reading from both posts, going from the high tension post to either + or - post. I ordered a new coil, sure hope that this grounded coil didn't take out the computer.....

 

[Inline_6]

No Spark

So far I've replace the two pickup sensors and the ignition coil. Checked coil wire resistance. Still no spark. Could there be anything I'm just missing?

I'm ready to replace the computer again. My question is, can anyone recommend a computer replacement shop. What are my options besides salvage yards?

This current computer is a reman from a dealer about two years ago. The engine ran better then the original computer. I left the O2 sensor unplugged always.

 

[ILuvBMW]

Sorry I can't help much Check Bavauto.com for the computer.
You should get an electric fence, so next time your buddies snoop around they'll be in for a big surprise

 

[rjp325i]

Is there a cooperative shop nearby that can loan you a computer to try? Just to see if the car starts. Perhaps if you purchase the replacement from him if it is the problem. If it's not the problem you save a bundle. I did that with a shop I've been using when I had an intermittent problem with my 85. Sorry I can't help more. If you are a BMW CCA member you could try contacting your professional tech advisor for advice, it's free. The Kansas tech advisor is Peter Langenwalter, Import Auto Center, Inc., Wichita, KS- - (316) 267-2120.

 

[Inline_6]

Running Again

This was good advice. Was able to try another computer and it started right up. Went back & paid for the computer, all is well again.

Now I wonder if this bad computer can be sent out and repaired. I have no idea what took it out.

Anyway, I want to thank all of you for the advice. Maybe I can help out in the future. If it wasn't for this problem, I'd have never found this site. Some good has come out of this anyway...

 

[rjp325i]

Glad we were of some assistance. Good luck and stay in touch. You never know what you may learn or who you may meet.

 

[mytan85_325e]

How much did the computer set you back?

 

[Inline_6]

Computer

He wanted $125.00 for it. The car runs great, better then before. It's always had a little rough idle, been thinking maybe the pickup sensors could be swapped around to see if that clears it up. It's funny, when I tried this different computer I was sitting in the passangers side. Battery had been disconnected so I just plugged the computer in, Then put the battery cable on. Went back to the passangers side, made sure it was out of gear & turned the key to just bump it. Instead it started right up with just that little turn. It's like that car couldn't wait to get running again.

 

[rjp325i]

Take a look at the plugs. They could be fouled from trying to start it or when it was close to dying. I change over to the Bosch Platinum+4 and have had good results. They are in there for 20K miles now and still run good. Try a can of BG 44k to clean out the carbon deposits from around the valves, not cheap but it works. Congrats and Good Luck.