Did tune-up maintenance and car won't start

[matt_vo]

Hi all,
This week my father and I changed the timing belt on my '89 325i, and at the same time changed the water pump, thermostat, dist. rotor, dist. cap, ignition wiring and spark plugs. When all this was done, without any issues whatsoever, I tried to start the car but it just turns over endlessly. I unscrewed a plug to see if it would create a spark, but it didn't. Also, the spark plug tip didn't smell like fuel.
So I have two problems here. No spark, and no fuel is getting to the plugs.
We are stumped as to what the problem may be.

Does anyone have an idea?

Thanks in advance,
Matt

[golde30]

uhh, did u check the crank sensor? if its not hooked up, or malfunctioning, then you will get no fuel or spark.

[matt_vo]

Well, when I replaced the timing belt, I just unscrewed the sensor, left it aside and cleaned it before re-installing it. My car used to work prior to this tune-up so maybe I screwed-up the sensor during the work? How does it act as a switch to keep the engine from getting spark and fuel?

Thanks golde30

[Sean]

Well, when I replaced the timing belt, I just unscrewed the sensor, left it aside and cleaned it before re-installing it. My car used to work prior to this tune-up so maybe I screwed-up the sensor during the work? How does it act as a switch to keep the engine from getting spark and fuel?

Thanks golde30

There's a magnet on it, and as the front harmonic balancer turns, it detects the missing tooth.

Check to see if you left anything unplugged, see if you're getting spark at all, and see if you're getting fuel. Try to see what's missing - you need air, spark and fuel.

[matt_vo]

Well, like I said, I took off a spark plug and turned the ignition, no spark. Did this on two plugs with the same result. And both plugs didn't smell like fuel, so I'm guessing there's no fuel at the spark plug tip. So I'm missing two of the three spark, fuel, air.
Is there a way to check if the crankshaft position sensor is faulty? Can there be anything else that can prevent my car from starting?

Thanks,

[mattdk318i]

look in your bently and check the resistance at the plugs on the sensor

[JGood]

Did you double check your timing marks lined up, by cranking the engine twice clockwise?

[matt_vo]

Yes I did. But even if they weren't lined up, that wouldn't prevent the engine from firing up, would it?

[JGood]

Yes I did. But even if they weren't lined up, that wouldn't prevent the engine from firing up, would it?

Depends how far off they were, but you'd really have to be off to do that, and then you have more problems then your engine not starting, haha. Just checkin!

Make sure the CPS wire didn't get pinched anywhere, and check the sensor like the others mentioned.

[CorvallisBMW]

It wouldn't hurt to double check all your fuses too. Sometimes the obvious gets overlooked. Does your fuel pump run? turn the key to the position right before ignition, and listin under the rear seat for the fuel pump. It should come on for a second or two before switching off. If it's running but you have no fuel in the cylinders, check the injector wiring harness. There is a plug below the throttle body where it hooks in to the main harness that can sometimes work loose. Any chance you got some of the plug wires mixed up? Is the coil properly attached? These may seem like 'duh' questions, but you never know.

[matt_vo]

I thought of checking the fuses, but since I disconnected the (-) from the battery before doing the work, nothing could've happened electrically. Although when I turn the ignition, I don't hear the pump behind me. I never did hear it for that matter. All I hear are two ticks coming from the engine bay (front right, looking towards the car), not sure what those are.

Thanks again.

[325isdan]

check your fuseable link from your battery.. I really hope you find out what the problem is. the exact same problem happened to my car and its been 2 months and no start.

[NC325iC]

your crank sensor and the impulse sensor on the spark plug wires have the same connector on them, and they plug in right next to each other, if you hook them up backwards no starty

[CorvallisBMW]

^^ Good tip Chris.

[matt_vo]

Nope, I'm sure I connected them correctly.
I tested the coil and crankshaft position sensor for resistance, and they seem faulty. I'm gonna try replacing them to see what that does.

Thanks.