89 325i turns over won't start

[shay91]

It seemed as if the fuel pump went bad. I couldn't hear it turn on, so I changed it out. I have a "guaranteed to work" fuel pump in there now, and still nothing. What should I do? It's been awhile since it been started but it will start with Starter Fluid but that's it. It won't hold its on. So tell me what I should check out and where, and I'll check it.

Also would the fact of it sitting up with gas in it affect it? It's been drained and refreshed with gas so what now?

[whiltebeitel]

Driver's side, below the rear corner of driver's door, pull the hose off that comes out of the fuel filter. Crank the engine. if it comes out like a water fountain, you have a good pump and filter. Next, try after the FPR under the hood. if fuel doesn't come out of that, all you have to look at is the injectors.

[jlevie]

The first thing to do would be to make sure that you have spark when cranking over the engine. If the compression is at the higher end of the scale the engine may fire from just starting fluid, so you need to verify that spark is present at the plugs.

If you don't have spark the following could be the cause:

1) Bad CPS
2) No power to the DME or no start signal (bad main relay, bad DME fuse, bad ignition switch)
3) Bad DME
4) No power to the coil or injectors
5) Bad coil, ignition wires, distributor cap or rotor

If you have spark you need to verify that the fuel pump runs when the engine cranks over. If not look for:

1) Bad fuel pump relay
2) Wiring fault
3) Bad pump

If the pump runs when the engine is cranking you need to check the pressure at the inlet of the rail by teeing in a pressure gauge. Low pressure could be:

1) Bad pump
2) Clogged filter
3) Blocked line
4) Bad FPR

[shay91]

Driver's side, below the rear corner of driver's door, pull the hose off that comes out of the fuel filter. Crank the engine. if it comes out like a water fountain, you have a good pump and filter. Next, try after the FPR under the hood. if fuel doesn't come out of that, all you have to look at is the injectors.

I will pull off the hose but the pump isn't turning on so that I guess I need to check the FPR first. Which of the three relays is it? However I will check the line anyway. So either way, I will know. And you say the fuel pressure regulator, that's the little black cylinder with the hose that runs into the back intake manifold?

If you have spark you need to verify that the fuel pump runs when the engine cranks over. If not look for:

1) Bad fuel pump relay
2) Wiring fault
3) Bad pump

If the pump runs when the engine is cranking you need to check the pressure at the inlet of the rail by teeing in a pressure gauge. Low pressure could be:

1) Bad pump
2) Clogged filter
3) Blocked line
4) Bad FPR

I'm taking everything into consideration. So far this is what I'm thinking is up (whats left to rule out):
-Clogged filter
-Blocked line
-Bad FPR
and/or Main Relay (from what I've read this is a probable cause)

BTW to jump those connector just in case all of there relays are bad (what are the chances) what number do you jump it to?

[slo325i]

Main relay

[shay91]

So you know that beyond the shadow of a doubt?

[Philo]

No, he doesn't. It is just his random guess.

[shay91]

Okay so based on what you read (if you read) lol what's your opinion?

[Philo]

Jlevie set out a good basic run down.

In my opinion,
1. I would check for fuel at the rail
2. Jump the fuel pump relay to see if it turns on the pump
3. Test the CPS/Reference sensor with a multimeter

My money is on the reference sensor. They go bad quite often. Do you have a bentley manual?

[shay91]

Okay, I've got a list of things to check I see... But thats a good thing.

No I don't have one...

[slo325i]

No, he doesn't. It is just his random guess.

hahaha... it was a gut feeling thas all...

[shay91]

Can you help me with knowing where to put a jumper wire?

[shay91]

SO I FIXED IT..... DAMN #11 FUSE.... Thanks guys