Push starting

[pharow]

My car will not start with the key. ('87 352is 5sp) I have checked all that I know to check. The car will turn over, but it won't start with the key. I can get it to start and run, by push starting it. I have checked all that I know to check.

I've checked the relays... by swapping them out with relays from my other car.
The AFM is ok. It works on my other car.
The fuel pumps work, but it seems like it's not getting a signal to run. (I removed the external pump. Because I replaced the in-tank pump, and I thought the ext. pump was bad.)
The fusible link is still in one piece.
The Battery is fine...it's fairly new.

I don't know what else to check. I hope someone can help...

Thanks guys.

[4x4_e30]

Grounding strap on the oil pan

[pharow]

I've checked and cleaned that too.

What sends the signal to the fuel pump?
What is different between starting with the key, and push starting?

[StereoInstaller1]

Stab a testlight into fuse 11, with the fuse still there. Don't use a meter, use a testlight. If you don't have one, go to walmart or any auto parts store, or even solder wires on a lightbulb if you have to, but use a testlight.

CPS tells the DME to turn on the fuel pump relay. Relay gets its power from the main relay, and sends it to fuse 11 and then the fuel pump (early and late, still only 1 fuel pump circuit)

Main relay powers two things: fuel pump relay and DME. If the check engine light (NOT the CHECK panel indicator) lights up, you know the DME has power

The fuel pump fuse is between the relay and the pump, so testing the fuel pump fuse while the car is cranking is the quickest way to tell these 5 things:

1. CPS
2. DME
3. Main Relay
4. Fuel Pump Relay
5. Fuel Pump Fuse

If you see the check engine light on, that means you also know you have power to the DME.

What this means is that in less than 1 minute, with a $5 tool and not taking apart anything you can know for a fact if those parts (several common failure points) work.

Post your results!

Luke

[Farwest92]

I've checked and cleaned that too.

What sends the signal to the fuel pump?
What is different between starting with the key, and push starting?

The difference is the position of the ignition switch. I would start there.

[pharow]

Ok. Thanks guys. I will post what I find out.

[AndrewBird]

If the car will start when push started, there is nothing wrong with the engine or related sensors. It's odd that the car will crank and not start though. The ignition switch must be bad in a way that it turns on the starter, but doesn't turn on power to the ignition.

[StereoInstaller1]

Thus the logic of testing power at the fuel pump fuse....you know what works and what doesn't in a second....fucking newbies, I swear

[dnguyen1963]

Thus the logic of testing power at the fuel pump fuse....you know what works and what doesn't in a second....fucking newbies, I swear

Keep swearing...Newbies keep this forum going. If we are all experts then there is no need to post anything. Just laugh at the posts or ignore them. Don't get angry, it will shorten your life.

[pharow]

Ok... I checked the circuit with a test light. The light comes on, and I have the check engine light on the dash cluster. So that means the fuel pump circuit is ok...right?

Does that means I'm going to have to start looking into the ignition switch?

[cabriodster87]

I'm going to have to start looking into the ignition switch?

Good idea, what have you to lose? GL

[StereoInstaller1]

Ok... I checked the circuit with a test light. The light comes on, and I have the check engine light on the dash cluster. So that means the fuel pump circuit is ok...right?

Does that means I'm going to have to start looking into the ignition switch?

No, the power at that fuse would not be on if you had ignition switch issues

[pharow]

Update- It was the CPS!

I went out and took a look around the car the other day. I moved some wires around. I then tried the test light, and it didn't come on. It was on until I moved the CPS wires. So I ordered one, and put it in today. The car started right up...With a lil jump start. I took it for a lil drive to charge the battery a lil , and to get some gas.



Now the only thing is that my "Check engine" light is on. Is that because it needs to relearn the maps?

Thanks for helping me get it started and running guys.