Car Turned off Randomly

[Dice_980]

Hello all, I was driving yesterday night coming down a mountain when my car suddenly turned off because there was no power and brake started to get hard after pressing on it. When turning the car on it cranks but does not start, I tried several times and sometimes it seems like it turns on but just keeps cranking. Any ideas what could have happened? Did not hear anything happening in the engine bay when it first turned off.

[Danny]

Crank position sensor? Timing belt? ECU exploded into a million pieces?

It's a mystery.

[mabeer]

Fuel pump

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[Dice_980]

1991 318i M42 Timing chain, I hear the fuel pump engaging. Going to check the relays thinking maybe the main relay.

[roguetoaster]

If not relays check to see that you are getting fuel on the engine side of the fuel filter (under the car on the drivers side in front of the rear wheel). Either by opening a line, or just smelling the exhaust after cranking.

Then check proper alignment via the crank vibration dampener tooth with the dimple on it to the arrow on the lower timing cover and that the cams are pointed up and towards each other (like / \), with rear squares flat. Wiggle the vibration dampener while you are there, as they are elastomer and can separate.

Beyond that you could have had a coil driver failure, which you might check by seeing that you at least have spark.

[Dice_980]

Check to make sure fuel was coming out and it was, checked the relay or well I had another relay from a m30b35 engine same relay laying around didn't work but might just buy a new one, put new spark plugs and tested to make sure a spark was coming out but still isn't starting on. Will check on the alignment and see if that is the problem.

[Dice_980]

Stomp test is showing 1444 which is no failures.

[Dice_980]

Crank Position Sensor - 546 ohms
Cam Position Sensor - 1258 ohms
Compression in each chamber starting from first - 110, 107, 115, 115
Opened up valve cover gasket and looks like no teeth have been skipped either.
Sprayed some starter fluid but still doesn't help out.

[Boris3]

Check your fuseable link, in the small wire coming off the battery + terminal. Possibly blown.

Thread with a similar issue.

http://www.bimmerforums.com/forum/showthread.php?939668-91-e30-318is-M42-Crank-No-Start

[whitebulat22]

Id try another ecu if possible along with new main and fuel relays. Been in this situation with my eta before, rpms would drop to 0 on the gauge even if the car was in gear and moving, or if i was cranking the engine. If the gauge doesnt turn off however Im thinking the problem is elsewhere.

[Dice_980]

CEL light works so i can rule out that fuseable link. Tested the fuel relay it clicks. When i pulled the spark plugs they were dry. Going to buy a fuel pressure test kit and try it out. Going to bench test the main relay as well.