Need Help Not Running

[list_joe]

OK here are the symptoms......

Was driving on the highway pulled off on a exit and my '93 525i stalled. But right before it stalled it revved then stalled. Was able to restart it and drive it a couple of miles before it would start an run for about 5 seconds. Left the car overnight and it will not start at all.

I have done a lot of trouble shooting over the last couple of days. I found the fuel pump through the trunk and was concerned because the normal buzzing of the fuel pump has not happened since the incident. I checked the power plug that plugs into the transfer housing and it does not register at all. I checked the power on the pump and it does not register anything. So I pulled all of the relays and checked their resistance and all seemed fine except for a middle one. But I cannot find out where the fuel pump relay is. I am going to the dealer tomorrow to pick up the fuel pump relay but want to make sure I replace the correct one.

Any insight will be greatly appreciated.

Thanks

 

[list_joe]

Went to the dealer and replaced the fuel pump relay and still no luck. I crossed the 30 and 87 jumper for the fuel pump relay and the fuel pump works but is not coming on when the ignition is turned. I failed to mention that I also changed the oil in the last couple of days and had some leaking coming from the oil filter. I did not seat the ring correctly. Fixed that with no more leakage but still no more luck.

 

[Homeless]

Wont the dealer do a diagnostic for a small fee, let you know what the problem is?

 

[epj3]

Wont the dealer do a diagnostic for a small fee, let you know what the problem is?

For $125!!! Fu*k that, take it to advance auto or autozone and have them scan it for free.

The fuel system is designed to stay off if the main ignition system has no power (ie main relay.) Check that out first. Just curious, you did check for spark, right? I doubt the oil change messed anything up other than maybe you knocked some wires around.

 

[1975bmw5]

sounds like you might be out of fuel. when an engine starves for fuel it will run lean causing it to rev up. then the fuel settles allowing a restart for just a few seconds before dying again. Open the fuel cap and shake the car then listen for fuel sloshing around, if not, then add a few gallons and try a restart. Don't put too much because if the sender is bad it will be easier to change with less fuel in the tank...

 

[Kirby]

Went to the dealer and replaced the fuel pump relay and still no luck. I crossed the 30 and 87 jumper for the fuel pump relay and the fuel pump works but is not coming on when the ignition is turned.

If you can jumper it and the fuel pump runs, you're not out of gas.

I'm not familiar with this model. When you jumper 30 & 87, is that the contact side of the relay (i.e. you are applying power directly to the pump) or is that the coil side of the relay (ie you are jumpering the coil to activate the relay)?

It sounds as thought you are not getting power to the relay. Get a wiring diagram & use a volt meter to measure the voltage on coil of the relay, and trace back from there. That's really the only way to troubleshoot this efficiently.

 

[Sntandrew]

I have attached a diagnostic aid for you to follow, and un-like the dealer I'm offering this to you free the attachment will give you flow of diagnosis "follow it" if you have any questions email me at aramirez@insightbb.com and I will offer futher help Good luck.

NOTE: Possible causes for the symptoms below are listed in order of testing priority.

ENGINE CRANKS BUT WILL NOT START


1 Faulty spark plugs or ignition wires
2 Faulty high voltage distributor cap or ignition rotor
3 Defective ignition coil(s) See: Oscilloscope Patterns and Waveforms
4 Defective crankshaft position sensor
5 Defective cylinder identification sensor See: Computers and Control Systems
6 Defective ignition switch
7 Defective Primary ignition wiring
8 Defective Digital Motor Electronic (DME ) control unit, See: Computers and Control Systems

IMPROPER ENGINE IDLING OR STALLING


Faulty spark plugs or ignition wires
Faulty high voltage distributor cap or ignition rotor
Defective ignition coil(s) See: Oscilloscope Patterns and Waveforms
Defective crankshaft position sensor, See: Computers and Control Systems
Defective primary ignition wiring
POOR ACCELERATION


Defective secondary ignition wires
Faulty high voltage distributor cap or ignition rotor
Defective ignition coil(s) See: Oscilloscope Patterns and Waveforms
Defective crankshaft position sensor
Defective DME control unit See: Computers and Control Systems
SPARK KNOCK (PINGING)


Defective knock sensor
Defective crankshaft position sensor
Defective DME control unit See: Computers and Control Systems
Engine overheating