$100 Reward For Right Answer

[Aptyp]

I mean it, I will paypal $100 to the person who helps me solve the problem.

Engine turns, but won't start. This is 1989 325iS. Was converted from automatic.

Fuel pump works, with starting fluid car fires up. ECU works (tried 2 spares, no result) Crank sensor works. Spark plugs new, so are most of the ignition parts. Replace all relays with spares. With test light checked every damn wire. Fuel injectors are firing. I drained the tack, replaced fuel filter, and put fresh gas in.

Here's my problem. With main relay in, ICV makes weird sounds. Any one have any ideas.

Give me an idea and how to test it, I'll try it, if it works, I'll send you $100, not kidding, I want my baby back.

Ask me questions if you need more details..


ANSWER: I had a melted wiring harness, where multiple wires got fused together. I ended up parting the car, and that's how I found those wires after I removed carpet. I can't believe how much time I've spent on this car, and that outcome never crossed my mind.

[Stevie30]

Try a different coil. Problem sounds electrical.

[JGood]

Any symptoms leading up to this? Any major work performed recently?

Have you tested the AFM per the Bentley manual?

So it starts and runs for a few seconds with starting fluid?

[JasonC]

Unplug the coolant senser, then try to start it.

[CBi]

Your fuel lines are reversed.

[kenika65]

Unhook the ICV for one it will run at around 800 with it unhooked, are your catilatic convertes good, have you checked your AFM air door for movement, are you getting fuel to the rail, is the spark blue or white? When it does fire up on starter fluid does it run smoothly, do you know the fuel pressure, have you checked the condition of your plugs, do they get wet, when was the last time you put a timing belt on, when it last ran what did it do?

[TopOfTheLine89]

you check for spark? im guessing spark or timing related if the plugs are wet. good luck and you shouldn't have to pay anyone 100 dollars for help, thats what forums are for.

[AWDE30]

Take the bottom rear seat off and take the covers off for the fuel tank and make sure all the connectors are connected.

[redhatpat]

Your fuel lines are reversed.

Hmmmmmm, that's a possibility. Easy test, take off the fuel line going to the fuel rail and crank the engine over. You should have fuel shooting out of that line (so put it into a bucket/cup). If you dont, then you've got them backwards. If the fuel feed line is going into the FPR's outlet it might keep any fuel from getting to the fuel rail.

From your starter fluid test, your engine's getting spark, and the timing is good. The engine just isnt getting fuel.

Do the test above, and if it checks out okay, then make sure the injectors are getting fuel (there's fuel in the injector rail) and they're spraying fuel properly.

[rs4pro3]

try swapping the two plugs located under the diagnostic connector(that's if they have been undone in the past).
Also was the needed wiring done under the dash, when the automatic swap was done?

[e30s52]

try swapping the two plugs located under the diagnostic connector(that's if they have been undone in the past).
Also was the needed wiring done under the dash, when the automatic swap was done?

thats what im wondering. maybe some one messed with some of the wires under the dash?

[Aptyp]

Ok I checked through the help, fuel hoses were not reversed. Tried other coil. Relays are fine, problem has to be electrical, but ignition. Pressure regulator is new, unless it's defective new. Timing belt service was done. I always under impretion that temp sensor had more to do with idling, and not starting, I'll check it out in a little bit. Symptoms up to it are none, I parked the car for few cold months, now I get this.

[Aptyp]

The wiring swap under the dash? A lot of wires were removed all together, and neutral safety switch is not needed. The car starts with out it. The car ran after the swap for over a year.

[jlevie]

Since the engine will fire with starting fluid and you claim that the injectors are firing, the most logical cause would be insufficient fuel pressure. You need to throw a gauge on the inlet line to the fuel rail and see if you have at least 2.5bar.

[kenika65]

Since the engine will fire with starting fluid and you claim that the injectors are firing, the most logical cause would be insufficient fuel pressure. You need to throw a gauge on the inlet line to the fuel rail and see if you have at least 2.5bar.

+1 Check for fuel pressure, spark and spark plug condition, next is compression lol