Starting problem

[Alfetta159]

I have a 91 318ic. Last week and then again yesterday afternoon, I left it in the parking lot at work all day to find it wouldn't start when I was trying to leave work. THe car turns over and acts like it wants to start, but then simply won't. And then it just cranks and never wants to start. No matter how many times I try.

Last week, I found a ride home and brought another car to work and found that the car would start just fine the next morning after sitting all night. It was fine since then until tonight. I imagine that I'm going to find the same thing tommorow.

It has not been particuarly hot (80 F) and the car has been sitting all day (I don't take it out for lunch) so I'm not really sure what the problem might be.

Does this sound familiar to anyone? Anyone actually figure this one out. When I say "familiar" and "actually", I mean spare me the wild guesses. I can do that myself. And yes, I can troubleshoot it as well when I get some time on the weekend and if I'm in the mood for yet another panic fix. And there is the issue of repeatability, so I'm just wondering if this might be a familiar bug that this car has, or perhaps someone experienced this and found a simple check and fix.

thanks

 

[echothreezero]

Sorry, but mine is a wild guess - fuel related, most likely the pump. But like you say, you'll have to spend a minute or two troubleshooting to eliminate that.

But that is where my guess would be as it is intermittent.

 

[Alfetta159]

I was thinking some kind of vapor lock. I even mentioned the ambient temperature because of that. The car might get warmer under operating conditions, but flowing gasoline keeps things cool up to the head when the engine is running.

The car does have a leaking fuel fill neck. And I know that Bosch systems rely on having a completely sealed fuel system. But I'm not sure how that would affect it.

 

[Big Daddy]

The car does have a leaking fuel fill neck. And I know that Bosch systems rely on having a completely sealed fuel system. But I'm not sure how that would affect it.

I would suspect this as the problem and get the leak fixed ASAP.

 

[Alfetta159]

Previously, the car had started the next day. This last time, I waited until the evening when I would normally go home, and the car wouldn't start. So the next day, i tried it in the morning, and it started. I took it out at lunch and put a little gas in it because it was getting low. So tonight might be interesting. It might just be doing this because it was low (not out) of gas. Oh well. I guess I better replace that fuel filler neck in any case.

 

[V_RocKs]

Thinking it is your fuel filter.

 

[Alfetta159]

I did get the o-ring on the fuel tank fixed...

But it still happened.

Finally, It seemed to happen again, and I managed to get the car to stall while just idling looking for another problem (coolant leak). While just shotgunning the intake system, I noticed all of the fuel injection/air intake hoses were cracked at the ends and figured that must be it: Car stalls when it's warm because the hoses get loose and start confusing the FI.

Well, that didn't seem to do it. It seems my tank fuel pump was flakey. I admit that I can't be sure that was it, but it seems to be running now, and a whole lot more nicely with all those air hoses nice and tight.

 

[cagedruss]

I have a Euro 323I, I have a similar problem. Mine turned out to be in the ignition switch. I can go start the car and then turn it off and try to restart it and it will never start. Turns over and over and nothing. A little something like it wants to start but wont. I started just barely turning the key, like a bump. Starts up every time. Hot or cold. I am guessing it is in the switch somewhere and I haven't checked since I know how to start it now.

I guess it is kind of a Security system also. I let some of my customers use the car and they can't start it unless I show them how.

It also could be you are flooding the engine with the cold start injector, maybe spraying at every start in stead of just the cold engine starts.

Good luck!

Russ

 

[E30m42cab]

Never had a problem starting my 318ic for any extended period of time... the only time I had trouble starting it, I played with the relay, and banged my fist on the back seat where the pump is, and that fixed the problem... never had a problem since. So, it was either the pump or the relay.

 

[Doughnut]

Never had a problem starting my 318ic for any extended period of time... the only time I had trouble starting it, I played with the relay, and banged my fist on the back seat where the pump is, and that fixed the problem... never had a problem since. So, it was either the pump or the relay.

I have an idle problem, Ill try banging the hood abit with my fist and see how i go

 

[echothreezero]

Try kicking the tyres too.... HARD!.

 

[E30m42cab]

banged my fist on the back seat where the pump is, and that fixed the problem.

Seriously, I do the same thing to the dashboard when the temp gauge is acting funny

 

[AWD_Guy]

Seriously, I do the same thing to the dashboard when the temp gauge is acting funny

For me its the dash lights....give her a good punch and theyre on! [fake]

 

[Doughnut]

When my check control lights come on, i give a slight hit to it and it resets for the next time i get in the car

Also gotta fix the reset button on it too.... I'll get the hammer.

 

[E30m42cab]

Sometimes you just need to hook the ECU under the dash right up to the battery with jumper cables... that'll reset everything If that doesn't work, wash the ECU with soap and warm water, or stick some magnets to it.[joke]

 

[Ms Char]

I have to tap on the instrument panel to engage the fuel guage. It stays active for an indeterminate amount of time (1 sec to hours), then stops giving the level reading. I can reengage by tapping again.

It's a pain in the butt, but not too bothersome to worry about. I just monitor my mileage and refill at about 1/4 to 1/2 a tank.

Just wanted to share [driving2]

 

[Doughnut]

lol, i need to wash my ecu with soap quite soon....

Its got abit of dust on it!

Ms Char, have you tried taking your cluster out and "wiggling/ pulling out and then putting back in" the plugs at the back?
Sounds like that could be your most likely problem.