89 E30 No Start, Tried everything! [UPDATE]

[Anson]

Hey everyone, let me lay some background down. I have a 1989 E30 with an M20B25 in it. Everything is hooked up the way it should be and I am getting no power to the fuel pump or any spark. I've researched a lot and have come here for help, I know its annoying to see these threads constantly but please bear with me.

The #11 fuse in my fusebox is getting no power to the fuse itself. I swapped the fuel pump and main relays and it still has no power or spark. I swapped CPS and no dice on that either. I triple checked all my grounds and they look good.

Just to make sure its all connected properly, from the battery in the trunk a terminal post comes to the front of the car, then a terminal attaches to it and runs to the starter motor. The fusebox has 2 wires that connect onto this terminal to get power. Does this sound correct? Off the ecu theres 2 wires that get grounded to the strut tower.

I have a few wires unplugged that I cannot find the location to. Theres an orange flat connector with 3 pins under the steering column. Cannot find the other end?

Theres also this white connector right beside the ecu that has no matching plug nearby. Not sure if these would disable starting the car.

I've read to check the fuse that is located on the line that comes off the battery in the trunk, but how do I know if its good? I've never seen a fuse like this in the past and it looks fine. (Its riveted onto the harness though, replacement seems difficult for a fuse)


If anyone has any suggestions that would be greatly appreciated. Thank you!

[jlevie]

The fuel pump fuse (11) will not have power on it until the DME is running and sees timing data from a rotating engine. At which point it will engage the relay which in turn will apply power to the fuse. No spark and no fuel say that you need to consider whether the CPS is good, whether is DME is powering up, or whether the DME is bad. Start with the CPS data.

[spdracrm3]

download your appropriate ETM http://wedophones.com/BMWManualsLead.htm if you havent already and look at diagram 1360-6 injection electronics to help understand the power distribution. fuse 11 is on the controlled side of the FuelPump relay so you need to determine if you have power to the Main and FP relays or is it a control issue from the ECU not turning on the relays. what test equipment do you have and how knowledgeable r u?

a common issue is the OBC relay box/or wiring on models with 13 button OBC and code setting function this can cause a no start ,something to look into also

[a2e30]

re flash your ecu. works every time.

[DesertBMW]

Everything is hooked up the way it should be

Obviously something is not hooked up the way it should be. When, how, and why did the engine stop running in first place?

[NoM54me]

+1 for bypassing the code function on the OBC. Worked for me. Easy and free repair.

[BeefSupreme]

Fusible link. Trust me give this a try. I replaced everything on my m20 in relation to fuel and spark to findout it was just the fusible link connected to the battery in the trunk. The fuse's solder was broken, hope this helps

[Mr. Burns]

I've been helping out Anson (op) in trying to diag. this.
everything is as it should, gone over pretty much everything with a fine toothed comb.

fusible link looks tight and clean. solder joints are fine.

we've tried different ECU's also, nothing.

if the OBC still seems to be functioning fine when the car is in ACC position, is it still a possibility there would be no spark no fuel?

[dustyperez]

i bet its the connector under the dash, i had a similar issue. it doesnt just plug into an end it goes in a block that has many plugs in it

[StereoInstaller1]

CPS and CID plugs reversed?

[Mr. Burns]

CPS and CID plugs reversed?

tried that, and ever a new(used) CPS

[NoM54me]

The OBC will otherwise work fine, except for the code function. The only way to find out is to try the bypass. Remove connector from black relay by hood release, then cut and splice green and green+red wires. The code function interrupts the signal between the ignition switch and the ecu through the relay, and mimics a no-spark situation. It means the relay is staying open no matter what you do. It can wonk out while driving too, causing the engine to shut off and be un-startable for an indefinite period. Let me know if it works.

[Anson]

I threw out my back at work so been out of commission the last 2 days.

Thanks for all the advice guys, truly appreciate it. I will try the suggestions tomorrow and post back here with results.

[Anson]

I tried bypassing that relay for the obc code module by connecting the green and green/red wires together on both ends.. No result. Then I cut out the fuseable link and went looking for a fuse but stores were closed. So I replaced the fuseable link with wire and still nothing. Car just cranks but no signal to fuel or spark.

Any other suggestions? Guess it's time to pullout the multimeter and learn how to use it then trace power from the battery all the way down the line.

[NoM54me]

Get the e30 electrical troubleshooting manual, it will be extremely helpful.

http://wedophones.com/BMWManualsLead.htm