engine gets fuel to rail, spark, no start

[BruinR]

Hey guys, i have a 1989 325i that we swapped an e34 m20 into and i cant seem to get it to run. the injectors are not firing which is why the car wont start.
some info about motor.
-new timing belt/tensioner
-new starter
-fresh oil
-new main relay
-new distributor cap, rotor, and plug wires and plugs

Car runs when starter fluid is sprayed into intake boot and then quickly dies once fuel is used up. any suggestions as to why injectors arent firing? we have tried swapping a known good dme but that did not change anything. Maybe CPS is bad? any help would be much appreciated

[dnguyen1963]

Check your ignition coil.

[Hooffenstein HD]

Check the C191 connector.

[Seawolf]

It can't be a bad CPS if the engine fires on starting fluid. If the CPS were bad you wouldn't be getting any ignition pulse.

What's your cranking fuel pressure at the rail ? If your dead end test is up to spec but inline test is low it could be your FPR (Fuel Pressure Regulator).

If both pressure tests are up to spec then there's something wrong in your injection circuit - could be a bad ground.

[MercyFlush]

Does the exhaust smell of gas? Are the plugs wet? If so pull the plugs and crank until clear.

Maybe grab a fuel safe bottle and pull the fuel line off of the inlet to the fuel rail (Lower fuel line) and run the pump. You should get a decent amount flowing. Be careful of the pressurised lines when removing...

If you are getting fuel to the rail then maybe pull the injector harness and check for continuity (C192 etc.)

[e30crazie]

Check that you installed the fuel lines properly and in the right order, I managed to get them wrong when I changed my head the first time. There is an inlet and a return line. You may have them switched.

[raudonis]

Injectors can be clogged with old gas or seized alltogether if this was a long stood engine. First check if you have pulses coming in from the harness at the injector connectors.

I used a similar way to bring some of the dead/unknown injectors back to life before gathering a bunch of 11 to get them cleaned and form a set of 6 of the best ones for my old m20. Half of a syringe, carb cleaner, 2 wires with small clips and just lightly tapping onto the battery terminals.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VFJlTfHyrUk

[TobyB]

from the original post:

the injectors are not firing which is why the car wont start.

No electrical pulses at the injectors? How did you check?

Do you have 12v at the injectors? You're supposed to...

When you did the swap, did you reuse your harness, or use the one on the engine?

t

[5Toes]

pull both fuel lines and crank the car, observe which one the fuel is gushing out of. Plug that one into the rail and the other into the fuel pressure regulator.

double check your spark plug wiring order on the cap, easy to mix up.

check out the C191 connector under the intake manifold. they foul quite often, if you have your doubts about the integrity of the connection then splice in some new wire with butt joints. take your time on the wiring, if you rush you will regret it later!! if you end up rewiring the c191 go ahead and remove the throttle body to get some room to work. also make sure to use waterproof electrical connections, such as heat shrink.

that should get you somewhere. Id be willing to bet the #6 plug wire (with the pickup sensor) is not plugged in correctly.