wont run in rain/ wont start after jump

[jefffribourg]

problem#1
my car stopped running in the rain a few months back and wouldn't re start until it sat for a day and dried off. i was told that this was because of a fuel pump relay and also that the fuel pump in full might just be bad. i checked the pump and it works.

problem#2
since my car wouldn't run in the rain i parked it for a few months and gave it a routine run to the store. i moved it about a month ago and it started up with no problem, moved it, parked it, sat it. A few days ago i went to start it up and take it on a spin when it wouldn't turn over. i put the key in the ignition and turned it for a while but didn't get anything. then i got jumpers and hooked it up for a minute and it started to turn over but wouldn't fire. i tried this a few times. its parked on a hill and was low on gas so i went and got a can and gas but still nothing. i couldn't check the spark since it was just me working with the car but can get to that soon.
i tried starting the car again a minute ago and without the jumpers it wont even turn over. Im thinking i need a new battery but thats probably not all i need to get her started again.

if you have any ideas on to what i need to do or what the problem might be please let me know.

thanks, jeff
jefffribourg@yahoo.com

[Sir Smirnoff]

you have a leak somewhere which is causing a short. This is gonna be a tricky one. best send it to a mechanic.

[pvehling]

Your alternator may be shot too.

[xwill112x]

a wire somewhere is getting shorted out by moisture.

[jefffribourg]

shiiiiit. thanks for the help guys. its weird though cuz when i first had the car i as driving it with no problems in the rain and then one day i pulled into the dmv, parked, and it wouldnt start back up till it dried off. im going to start with a new battery and then see whats up with the start and then try to get it into somewhere.

how much does something like this usually cost to get checked out and fixed?

[Sir Smirnoff]

it really depends on where it is. if you pick up a book, you MAY be able to do it yourself with a voltmeter and a good flashlight but expect a lotta labor and very little parts. Also a new battery will only die. Sounds like something is still active when the car is off... Maybe the DME relay?

basically you have a few issues:
battery keeps getting drained - Something thats connected to the battery is staying on when it shouldn't. a.k.a when the car is off

There's something leaking - Broken seal somewhere, probably your relays.

The starter is not turning because the battery is 100% flat or there's a short in your ignition. Check all your fuses and use a voltmeter to check for shorts in the starter relay and dme relay

Check your relays for good seals and TEST THEM for functionality. You can do this really easily with some wire, some terminals from home depot or auto zone, and a charged battery . The schematics are online and all you need to do is hear a "click" when you apply voltage and you know your good.

[StereoInstaller1]

Oh jesus fuck, so damn much misinformation in 5 replies.

Might need an alternator? Take it to a mechanic? WTF are you newbies thinking?

The only place you are gonna get any real help on any 20 year old car is right here, on R3V.

Jeff, you need a foot of 18 ga wire and 3 male 1/4" spade connecctors. Make a jumper so you can connect all 3 terminals of your main relay together.

pop your hood; pull the relay cover off, remove the farthest front relay, then remove the entire block from its mount.

Connect the big fat red wire to the 2 red/white wires using the jumper you just made. YOU MUST CONNECT ALL 3, then fire up your car and go for a drive. 10 miles should show you if you need to replace that main relay or not.

Now, when you get back home you will need to remove that jumper, as your car might not shut off.

If it passes this test, go buy a new main relay and add yourself to the ever-growing list of cars I have diagnosed over the internet with bad relays....you will be about #32 on the list not counting those I have fixed in person.

IF you are willing to learn some basics about your electrical system, you can find your wiring diagram here; www.wedophones.com

GL!
Luke

[jefffribourg]

ok. i get paid this week and have the weekend off work so ill have a fellow E30 buddy come on over and work on this with me. thanks for the help everyone and thanks for the help StereoInstaller1. hopefully i can be #32 on that list by this weekend!

[Sir Smirnoff]

stereoinstaller.... we may be "noobs" on the forums, but that doesn't mean we are "noobs" with cars. If you've ever had to deal with a real wiring gremlin you know how much of a pain it can be. This problem is generally not for the novice and generally leads to hours of frustration, screaming, thinking and etc... sometimes Its better to let someone else do that...

[jefffribourg]

it really depends on where it is. if you pick up a book, you MAY be able to do it yourself with a voltmeter and a good flashlight but expect a lotta labor and very little parts. Also a new battery will only die. Sounds like something is still active when the car is off... Maybe the DME relay?

basically you have a few issues:
battery keeps getting drained - Something thats connected to the battery is staying on when it shouldn't. a.k.a when the car is off

There's something leaking - Broken seal somewhere, probably your relays.

The starter is not turning because the battery is 100% flat or there's a short in your ignition. Check all your fuses and use a voltmeter to check for shorts in the starter relay and dme relay

Check your relays for good seals and TEST THEM for functionality. You can do this really easily with some wire, some terminals from home depot or auto zone, and a charged battery . The schematics are online and all you need to do is hear a "click" when you apply voltage and you know your good.

just to clarify, my battery has never died before this was the first instance that ive had with the battery was drained. since ive had the car ive never had a battery problem.

[two240s]

stereoinstaller.... we may be "noobs" on the forums, but that doesn't mean we are "noobs" with cars. If you've ever had to deal with a real wiring gremlin you know how much of a pain it can be. This problem is generally not for the novice and generally leads to hours of frustration, screaming, thinking and etc... sometimes Its better to let someone else do that...

which is exactly why you should start with the simple things first and not send this guy on a wild goose chase.

Please, before you do anything else....take your battery out and have it tested.

It not wanting to start in the rain is another issue, the current problem of not starting could very well be a bad battery. Test it first

[StereoInstaller1]

stereoinstaller.... we may be "noobs" on the forums, but that doesn't mean we are "noobs" with cars. If you've ever had to deal with a real wiring gremlin you know how much of a pain it can be. This problem is generally not for the novice and generally leads to hours of frustration, screaming, thinking and etc... sometimes Its better to let someone else do that...

Bullshit, bub. you are talking out your ass.

Hush, men are talking here.

[jefffribourg]

i tryed starting it with another battery and it turned over but wouldnt start. i checked the fuel pump and its getting gas so im on my way to the auto store to get a battery and wire to try and jump her.

[accident]

luke:

does the jumper look like this?:

     spade
        |
        |
        |
spade--------spade