My 325is won't start! HELP PLEASE!

[Mason77]

I recently bought my first e30 so I am new to the whole e30 game. Its an '87 325is and i bought it about a month ago. The previous owner said it had been sitting for awhile so I changed the oil/filter right after I bought it. The car has been running great but last week I noticed that the car was starting to have trouble starting, especially after it sat for a few minutes after running for awhile or on a completely cold start after it sat through the night. The starter cranks fine and after a few seconds it would normally start until today when I couldn't get the car to start at all. My first thought was that it could be the spark plugs but I also noticed that the coolant light was flashing on the overhead panel yesterday when I was on the highway, even though the engine temp remained stable and the coolant level is fine. Any ideas why my car isn't starting? And does the coolant temp sensor, which I am assuming went bad, have anything to do with it? Thanks in advance!

[jlevie]

The coolant level sensor has nothing to do with the engine not starting. The first checks would be for gross intake leaks, spark, and correct rail pressure.

[Cletonius]

In addition to what Jim posted I would also check the main and fuel pump relays as well as the crank trigger(s).

[coldweatherblue]

handy link for no-starts:

http://blog.bavauto.com/3562/no-start-1989-325i-e30/

go through the algorithm step by step and it should lead you to an answer.

check your spark and fuel pressure. fuses, relays etc also intake leaks of course like jlevie suggested. There are many things it could be including ignition coil on the way out, cap/rotor/wires, C191 plug corroded (this caused a baffling no start on my car fwiw), cold start valve, coolant temp sensor, injectors, etc.

check to see if you have spark at the plugs first. then check your fuel rail pressure (tie onto main fuel line coming into the rail). If both of these are good, chances are it's a sensor, intake, or electrical issue. If your fuel pressure is good, listen to each injector with a mechanic's stethoscope (or put your ear to the end of a long screwdriver with the tip resting on the injector) if you don't hear the injectors firing it's likely an electric issue such as C191 corrosion.