'89 S50, cranks, no start

[e30austin]

1989 325i manual
1995 S50B30 US
1994 325is manual harness
413 red label DME with TRM tune for S50
Modified C101 connector to X20 connector (no adapter)

Cranks awesome. Main relays are not turning on. There is 11.x volts at two of the wires at the main relay, 1.4x volts at the other two, and 11.8v at the ground on the relay. The main harness ground (at the battery tray) is getting 1.5x volts also. 525 ohms at CPS too (and it's plugged in to the proper connector.) 11.5 volts at pin 7 C101 (E30 switched ignition wire.)

Obviously, one of my grounds is getting power. What did I do wrong?! I don't even know where to start...

Thanks guys!

[BenM]

-Have you properly hooked up the 12V+ wires at the distribution block?
-All the grounds connected(ECU, Coils, Engine block, shock tower, etc.)?
-Fuel Lines connected the right way?
-Is it possible you connected the ground wire that's supposed to be at the shock tower to the distribution block?
-What chart did you use for your wiring?

There is only one main relay FYI. The other 2 are the fuel pump and oxygen sensor heater.

How are you checking the main relay to make sure it's turning on, key in on position? Do you here the ICV hum when you turn the key? On the main relay, the 2 large red wires are 12V+ to terminals 30 & 86 at all times.

Also check the continuity between DME Pin 27 and Terminal 85 on the Main Relay. IIRC that is the signal wire that tells the main relay to feed power to Terminal 87/87a, aka. Fuel pump relay, ICV, etc.

Hope this helps.

[Mr.SWISS]

-Have you properly hooked up the 12V+ wires at the distribution block?
-All the grounds connected(ECU, Coils, Engine block, shock tower, etc.)?
-Fuel Lines connected the right way?
-Is it possible you connected the ground wire that's supposed to be at the shock tower to the distribution block?
-What chart did you use for your wiring?

There is only one main relay FYI. The other 2 are the fuel pump and oxygen sensor heater.

How are you checking the main relay to make sure it's turning on, key in on position? Do you here the ICV hum when you turn the key? On the main relay, the 2 large red wires are 12V+ to terminals 30 & 86 at all times.

Also check the continuity between DME Pin 27 and Terminal 85 on the Main Relay. IIRC that is the signal wire that tells the main relay to feed power to Terminal 87/87a, aka. Fuel pump relay, ICV, etc.

Hope this helps.

That's a great set of steps there!

I would say most swaps that have DME power issue( no CEL) are not wired properly, usually it is the dist block and grounds on tower bass ackwards as you mentioned.

[cormier]

The relay is good? Have you tried manually jumping the pins simulating an ON relay? I had the wrong relay in my main slot and it obviously didn't fire

[ZekeTheSneak]

Check the Crank position sensor. I unplugged everything and thats all it needs to start. Make damn sure it works and is connected correctly. Who did your harness? Check into what was done on pin 20 for abs if applicable to you.

[e30austin]

-Have you properly hooked up the 12V+ wires at the distribution block?
-All the grounds connected(ECU, Coils, Engine block, shock tower, etc.)?
-Fuel Lines connected the right way?
-Is it possible you connected the ground wire that's supposed to be at the shock tower to the distribution block?
-What chart did you use for your wiring?

There is only one main relay FYI. The other 2 are the fuel pump and oxygen sensor heater.

How are you checking the main relay to make sure it's turning on, key in on position? Do you here the ICV hum when you turn the key? On the main relay, the 2 large red wires are 12V+ to terminals 30 & 86 at all times.

Also check the continuity between DME Pin 27 and Terminal 85 on the Main Relay. IIRC that is the signal wire that tells the main relay to feed power to Terminal 87/87a, aka. Fuel pump relay, ICV, etc.

Hope this helps.

Ok, didn't have much time to screw with this today (in the process of moving,) but all the 12v wires are good, the ground is secured at the battery tray, the coil packs/valve cover, engine arm/frame rail. DME is not grounded (need to get the 318is bracket installed, on my list of things to do.) I cut back the plastic going to all the wires, so I'm sure those are good. CPS is good and plugged into the proper connector (has a small piece of yellow tape on it.)

Here's another thing- windows and blower motor don't work. I had this issue once on an M20 where the starter wires got reversed (since they're the same size.) However, I'm using the E36 harness and there is only one way they fit on since they're different size (afaik.) I don't think the solenoid will engage otherwise, though.

Oh, and I did the harness myself. Used the pinouts for a '95 E36 (forget the source) and the pinouts for a late E30 M20 off e30zone.

Help is much appreciated!

[Farbin Kaiber]

The windows/blower issue is the K5 unloader relay. Make sure to check/verify your connections at the starter. I think you have either the two small wires backwards, or both on one pole.

[e30austin]

The windows/blower issue is the K5 unloader relay. Make sure to check/verify your connections at the starter. I think you have either the two small wires backwards, or both on one pole.

Swapped the two wires. Heater/windows work, but no crank now. Ugh.

[e30austin]

Switched starter wires back, ensured I had a good DME ground (didn't before) and it fired right up. However, window, heater and radio do not work now...but it runs at least!!!

[cormier]

Congrats dude!

[Mr.SWISS]

Switched starter wires back, ensured I had a good DME ground (didn't before) and it fired right up. However, window, heater and radio do not work now...but it runs at least!!!

Small battles win the war! I bet your unloader is wired wrong sir.

I would take a meter and test the ground from the tray and then from there hit the 12+ connections on the firewall and verify you have power on all the eyelets. Then test the white relay ( DME) on the harness next to the blue and orange one(o2 and FP), People usual install these on the fuse box since they slide right on.