No start, spark, no fuel

[e30onBBSs]

Hey r3v I got up to go bleed the air from the coolant system and to hook up my h4's, and my 1989 325i won't start. I had the battery charging because some coolant was making the alternator belt slip but that was a while back, everything is dry. It's an m20. I did the diangnostic plug test and to bypass the ignition wires, and this is what I got. I've been looking at lots of sources to determine why my car won't start but does this one definitively mean it's the starter, or could there be other things happening? After I try to start it the red oil light comes on too, and I read that this may not allow the engine to start, would an oil change fix this? My oil doesn't smell like gas so I don't think it's leaky injectors. The car has over heated before but that was a long while back and it has started well since then probably at least 30 times. Could a BHG make oil leak and then send a signal to the oil pressure light? https://vimeo.com/124754582

I tried to get a pic, there is some oil buildup around the head on the passenger side, could this determine a BHG? These pics are right below the exhaust manifold/headers.

ANY help is more than welcome! She was getting so close to being on the road, and this happened! Also I have a bentely manual in the mail so if there are any pages I should reference when it comes that would be awesome too!


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[e30onBBSs]

Another thing, the engine half works... It will move very slowly in 1st with the clutch mostly released and only when turning the key all the way forwards. Right when I let the key off the engine stops, then a second or two later the red oil light comes on. The dipstick reads that I have basically a perfect amount of oil, so it doesn't seem like the oil pressure is restricting the engine. I also checked in one of the tanks under the rear seats to make sure I have fuel, and the battery is at a beautiful 12.6 volts. So I have voltage, I have fuel, I have oil, the blue temp sensor is sending, the ICV hums too.

[e30onBBSs]

Would the engine crank if the CPS is bad? What can I rule out by the fact it cranks?

[turbo55]

Oil level and oil pressure is two different things. You can have an oil sump full of oil but if the engine isn't turning then the oil pump is not being driven and is not pumping oil and building up the pressure.

What do you mean by the engine half works? Is it cranking very slowly or "normal" crank speed? If it's cranking very slowly and your battery voltage is fine then maybe it's the starter? I kind of doubt the oil light is the problem, sounds like it's more of a symptom of the engine not starting.

[e30onBBSs]

Oil level and oil pressure is two different things. You can have an oil sump full of oil but if the engine isn't turning then the oil pump is not being driven and is not pumping oil and building up the pressure.

What do you mean by the engine half works? Is it cranking very slowly or "normal" crank speed? If it's cranking very slowly and your battery voltage is fine then maybe it's the starter? I kind of doubt the oil light is the problem, sounds like it's more of a symptom of the engine not starting.

Thanks for the response turbo55! I got some help from driftslut on IG and also my bentely manual came in the mail and as of now it's at least the ignition coil, and hopefully nothing more. I got 7K ohms instead of the 5k its supposed to be. A new one is going to be here on tuesday ;D;D;D;D very excited to see if it works. I've never had a car just die on me and let alone my own where it's up to me to fix!

[e30onBBSs]

New coil was needed according to the manual, but it still doesn't start. Where should I go from there? Take the distrubutor cap and everything off? It wouldnt crank if the CPS was broken right?

[ahlem]

I'd start by cleaning your ground wires. Then check for spark with a spark tester then check fuel pressure.

[turbo55]

i'd start by cleaning your ground wires. Then check for spark with a spark tester then check fuel pressure.

+1.

[e30onBBSs]

I'd start by cleaning your ground wires. Then check for spark with a spark tester then check fuel pressure.

Spark tester? Is that a less ghetto way than just pulling a plug? I will check the grounds too. I pulled the cap and rotor and they both look bad, I posted a dif thread about those. The rotor is seriously bad, so hopefully with all this ignition system tune-up stuff it will start up! If not It could be fuel, I jumped the pump when I was starting to diagnose and it sounds like it functions. Do I need a special tool to test pressure, or do I know I'm getting good pressure if I get fuel at the end of the line? How do I pull a fuel line to see if there is fuel?

The grounds are on both sides right?

Thanks for the advice ahlem!

[e30onBBSs]

Hey I got the new rotor and distributor cap installed, same result. Pulled a plug and am getting orange spark?! New plugs, rotor, coil, and cap. Any ideas?

[e30onBBSs]

Just tested for battery voltage and got 12.1V, going to charge it and see whatsup. At least I got spark, thats a good sign! Could be just low battery, probably not but fingers crossed! Going to test the coil too, and clean all the plugs. I think the test-cranks are bad for them

[e30onBBSs]

Cleaned all the plugs only 2 smelled like gas. Still no start. how to check for fuel?

[e30onBBSs]

Just did this test and got nada. Nothing. Onto diagnosing the fuel system! I have to go to work for a while but then I'm going to read up a lot. Need a new return line too it was so old and crusty that the only way to get it off was to crack the end near the FPR. Any common problems/ diagnoses with fuel please let me know!

I have a couple questions.
1. Why would the fuel pump sound functional if there is no fuel?
2. Is the FPR the "end of the line"? Does this mean there could be a problem with the pump, or filter, or injectors, etc?

Thanks r3v

[yodman]

Fuel pump relay? Check all your fuses too. You just never know.

That's a thought based on the fact that you can get the pump to function by jumping it.

Also, is your car early or late model? Possible that your in-line pump is good, but your in-tank lift pump is bad. (This is if I remember correctly that there are indeed two pumps on an early model)

[e30onBBSs]

Hey I think its my relay, I did the 3 tests in the bentely and they all passed. If I have time tomorrow I may do some tests on the other pump. Its a late model, pretty sure late is 2 and early is 1