Engine won't turn over.

Collapse
X
 
  • Time
  • Show
Clear All
new posts
  • E30Rookie37
    Grease Monkey
    • Nov 2010
    • 308

    #1

    Engine won't turn over.

    What could be causing this? I just tuned up everything. It won't start for a long time and then I'll go back an hour later and it will start right up.
    86' 325e

    Quote:
    Originally Posted by 02stu
    They're (e30s) very sensible if you never want to get laid by anything other then a college student..on second thought
  • jlevie
    R3V OG
    • Nov 2006
    • 13530

    #2
    If the starter rotates the engine, it is turning over. If it fails to fire it isn't starting. Which condition do you have?
    The car makes it possible, but the driver makes it happen.
    Jim Levie, Huntsville, AL

    Comment

    • E30Rookie37
      Grease Monkey
      • Nov 2010
      • 308

      #3
      I do believe the starter is turning the engine but it's not firing. That's what it sounds like.
      86' 325e

      Quote:
      Originally Posted by 02stu
      They're (e30s) very sensible if you never want to get laid by anything other then a college student..on second thought

      Comment

      • jlevie
        R3V OG
        • Nov 2006
        • 13530

        #4
        Check to see if the engine has spark and if the fuel rail has 34-37psi of pressure when cranking the engine.
        The car makes it possible, but the driver makes it happen.
        Jim Levie, Huntsville, AL

        Comment

        • E30Rookie37
          Grease Monkey
          • Nov 2010
          • 308

          #5
          How would one go about checking the fuel pressure?
          86' 325e

          Quote:
          Originally Posted by 02stu
          They're (e30s) very sensible if you never want to get laid by anything other then a college student..on second thought

          Comment

          • jlevie
            R3V OG
            • Nov 2006
            • 13530

            #6
            By teeing in a pressure gauge on the line that connects to the fuel rail.
            The car makes it possible, but the driver makes it happen.
            Jim Levie, Huntsville, AL

            Comment

            • E30Rookie37
              Grease Monkey
              • Nov 2010
              • 308

              #7
              Thank you I will do that.
              86' 325e

              Quote:
              Originally Posted by 02stu
              They're (e30s) very sensible if you never want to get laid by anything other then a college student..on second thought

              Comment

              • Wishno87
                R3V OG
                • Jul 2007
                • 6025

                #8
                So it cranks but doesn't fire yes? Check voltage to the coil, resistance on flywheel position sensors, and cap and rotor to start. I had all kinds of fun with my eta last year :curse:
                Your signature picture has been removed since it contained the Photobucket "upgrade your account" image.

                Comment

                • ck_taft325is
                  R3V OG
                  • Sep 2007
                  • 6880

                  #9
                  Originally posted by Wishno87
                  So it cranks but doesn't fire yes? Check voltage to the coil, resistance on flywheel position sensors, and cap and rotor to start. I had all kinds of fun with my eta last year :curse:

                  Definitely check the CPS and all of your wires out.

                  I had this exact problem with my ETA about a 3 years ago. Turned out my wires where really, really old... go figure.
                  Need a part? PM me.

                  Get your Bass on. Luke's r3v Boxes are here: http://www.r3vlimited.com/board/showthread.php?t=198123

                  Comment

                  • E30Rookie37
                    Grease Monkey
                    • Nov 2010
                    • 308

                    #10
                    Originally posted by ck_taft325is
                    Definitely check the CPS and all of your wires out.

                    I had this exact problem with my ETA about a 3 years ago. Turned out my wires where really, really old... go figure.
                    I just did a tune-up last week but the only thing I didn't change were the wires...one of the connections going to one of the spark plugs looked kinda sad. I just bought a starter thinking that was the issue but then I tried to start my car and it fired right up so I didn't even touch the starter... I guess I need to buy a multimeter and a pressure gauge to check on some stuff too.
                    86' 325e

                    Quote:
                    Originally Posted by 02stu
                    They're (e30s) very sensible if you never want to get laid by anything other then a college student..on second thought

                    Comment

                    • E30Rookie37
                      Grease Monkey
                      • Nov 2010
                      • 308

                      #11
                      Also would there be a chart of sorts in my Bentley that tells me what voltage should be what and where?
                      86' 325e

                      Quote:
                      Originally Posted by 02stu
                      They're (e30s) very sensible if you never want to get laid by anything other then a college student..on second thought

                      Comment

                      • Wishno87
                        R3V OG
                        • Jul 2007
                        • 6025

                        #12
                        Originally posted by E30Rookie37
                        Also would there be a chart of sorts in my Bentley that tells me what voltage should be what and where?
                        Yes your bentley will give you the specifics of what I mentioned.
                        Your signature picture has been removed since it contained the Photobucket "upgrade your account" image.

                        Comment

                        • E30Rookie37
                          Grease Monkey
                          • Nov 2010
                          • 308

                          #13
                          Originally posted by Wishno87
                          Yes your bentley will give you the specifics of what I mentioned.
                          Excellent. Thanks or being a ton of help.:D
                          86' 325e

                          Quote:
                          Originally Posted by 02stu
                          They're (e30s) very sensible if you never want to get laid by anything other then a college student..on second thought

                          Comment

                          • artoo93
                            E30 Modder
                            • Feb 2009
                            • 909

                            #14
                            Check your ground as well. I just had a problem where the engine and starter were not getting a good ground and wouldn't turn over or would turn over slowly. Made a new ground and no issues on that front. Now if the tranny hadn't just quit.....
                            Some people just need a sympathetic pat...
                            on the head...
                            WITH A HAMMER!!!

                            Comment

                            • call me jack
                              E30 Addict
                              • Jul 2010
                              • 425

                              #15
                              establish that you first have fuel pressure.

                              then do the above stated. i found that that crank and reference sensors on the eta are shit, some times... (not saying thats what you have going on, but it's possible)

                              Personally i would do this after determining that i have fuel pressure:
                              The bently describes a pin out of all the motronic 1.0 inputs (page 6-48 in my book), except the crank and reference sensors, which should be able to test at the connecting points on top of the valve cover (i think thats where they are on the '86)

                              i would check all of the inputs from the main harness and see what/if something comes up out of spec.

                              Edit: lets be clear briefly, because you never actually established; you do have an eta, right?

                              Comment

                              Working...