1987 325 won't start! Help

[craiggroves91]

That does sound like a dead pump, but to be sure jumper the fuel pump relay socket. Bad timing reference sensors, a DME power problem, etc., could prevent power from being applied to the pumps since the DME controls the relay and only causes the pumps to run when it sees timing data from a rotating engine.

In tank was dead. Friend loaned me a pump and we got fuel to the regulator now. But now I don't think there is spark!
We multimetered the coil and its not getting 12v

[jlevie]

The coil positive post gets 12v directly from the ignition switch via C101. To produce spark the the DME grounds the coil. One must, therefore, check for power to the coil by measuring from the coil positive lead to a chassis ground. If you don't have power to the coil start tracing back to the ignition switch.

[craiggroves91]

The coil positive post gets 12v directly from the ignition switch via C101. To produce spark the the DME grounds the coil. One must, therefore, check for power to the coil by measuring from the coil positive lead to a chassis ground. If you don't have power to the coil start tracing back to the ignition switch.

This is just so confusing.
How does the car go from running to not running with a dead fuel pump and no spark all of a sudden?

[craiggroves91]

been working of this thread a little bit

http://www.r3vlimited.com/board/showthread.php?t=225697

Where does the DME ground?

[e30trooper]

jump the relay. Remove the return fuel line after the fpr. If you get tons of fuel then your pumps are working some what. Also check the fuses.

You can test the in-tank pump ( can be messy ) by removing the rear seat. Take off the cap that covers the fuel pump. The fat hose on the right side sends to the HP fuel pump. Disconnect that hose. Bump the stater ( turn key but make sure your in neutral /e brake is on ) If fuel pumps out then your in-tank pump is working.

If that works out then jump the relay, undo the return line hose ( when you jump the relay it turns on the pumps even when the keys are out of the ign. ) no fuel then try tapping the pump under your car next to the rear driver side wheel. Hit the pump not filter.

GL You should find out.

[jlevie]

This is just so confusing.
How does the car go from running to not running with a dead fuel pump and no spark all of a sudden?

A dead in-tank pump on this car won't necessarily prevent the engine from running. The high pressure pump may be able to suck fuel through the dead pump, especially when the tank is pretty full. That makes the high pressure pump have to work too hard, contributing to early failure of the pump, and starvation may occur below a 1/2 tank.

Sudden loss of spark is going to be the result of a part failure. Most commonly those parts are the timing reference sensors, main relay, fusible link, or ignition switch. But there are other possibilities.

[craiggroves91]

A dead in-tank pump on this car won't necessarily prevent the engine from running. The high pressure pump may be able to suck fuel through the dead pump, especially when the tank is pretty full. That makes the high pressure pump have to work too hard, contributing to early failure of the pump, and starvation may occur below a 1/2 tank.

Sudden loss of spark is going to be the result of a part failure. Most commonly those parts are the timing reference sensors, main relay, fusible link, or ignition switch. But there are other possibilities.

Checked the fusible link.
Im going to have to go through the other things.

I read something about the ECU not getting power/ground if the check engine light on the instrument cluster isnt lighting up.
Mine doesn't. Cant recall if it did before or not.

[jlevie]

If the CEL on the dash doesn't come on when the ignition is switched on and the CEL bulb isn't burned out, there is a problem with the DME, it's power, or it's ground.

[craiggroves91]

If the CEL on the dash doesn't come on when the ignition is switched on and the CEL bulb isn't burned out, there is a problem with the DME, it's power, or it's ground.

How do I test power/ground?

[craiggroves91]

I'd like some more help with this :(

This is so annoying.

[Alberthype]

I would help but I don't have a car anymore and I'm taking 19Units. :) love my life

[craiggroves91]

I need to get this thing running guys!

Bad timing reference sensors If we are talking about the two on the trans, I inspected them and they look good visibly. I'm not sure how to test their resistance
Missing Timing reference on flywheel Its there
Bad main relay Not sure about this. I switched it out with one I have laying around, no change. How can I test this?
Bad fusible link Should be good, I checked it out. It's not burnt
Bad DME ground Where does it ground?
Bad ignition switch Would this stop it from cranking? or does it stop it from getting spark also?
Bad DME I'm starting to think its the DME. I don't get the check engine light on the cluster

[craiggroves91]

Bump!!! Please help!

[Alberthype]

Any Info on this?

[e30trooper]

eta?

E's dont have CEL's btw