Car starts sometimes - IT IS FIXED - $542 later

[tonytony]

well if you still need my ecu, I can drive up there today(tuesday). Sorry I haven't been online.

[DarkWing6]

OK, so I pulled my ecu out prepping for tony to come up. After I got it out I figured I would try to start it just to see what it would do. It does the exact same thing as with it plugged in. So I am figuring that is it, but tony is coming up tomorrow just to try (why not get a few e30 PNW boys together, thats what we do). Grant dropped his ecu out of his parts car 2-3 day shipping to me today, so everything is looking good. I am looking forward to driving my baby again (it's been a week and a half, I don't know how some people put em away for the winter). Thanks everyone for your help. I hope my next post in this thread starts "It's alive!"

[Nathan]

well i hope the ECU fixes your car's problems (it didn't fix mine). Mine is still at a mechanic and ive been without for a week and a half as well... No car blows!

[cramer]

Derek-

has your car ceased to start all together?

[tonytony]

It has.....I went up there to switch ecu's and mine wouldn't work in his either, so I tried his in mine and it started up fine.

[DarkWing6]

Derek-

has your car ceased to start all together?

Yah, ever since I let it sit it wont start at all. It almost starts the first time I try starting every time (after it sits for a while). So, I called the BMW dealership near me yesterday and the guy told me one thing I should check then if that doesn't work I'm gonna tow it in and have them fix it. I know I'm giving up, but I need my car.

[cramer]

I hear ya, you can't trouble shoot forever.

Before you do though, go back to the basics, see if it's getting fuel and see if it's getting spark. With it consistantly not starting, it's a little easier to troubleshoot ;)

[arsevader]

There are 2 check valves in the fuel system...

I've had this same problem before.

There are 2 check valves in the fuel system to prevent vapor lock from causing problems when the car is warm. The valves prevent the loss of fuel pressure when the car is sitting.

There is one on the fuel pump and one in the fuel pressure regulator. Either of these valves can fail without having an impact on the function of the parent part.

If the check valve in the pump goes you can place an inline check valve after the pump to replace the fialed on in the pump. BMW even makes a repair kit for the 7 series fro this exact same problem. The part number is 16-14-9-068-988 and it's like $5 cdn at the dealer. Take about 10 minutes to install.

If the valve in the regulator goes then you need a new regulator.

You can do a pressure chekc of the system to find out if this is the problem. You need to see what the pressure drop is in the system after the car has sat for a while.

James

[BS87]

Might be a long shot, but have you tested the crank position sensor with a multimeter yet?

[BS87]

Well?

[nah325i]

I would be suspicious of the coolant temp sensor or afm

[DarkWing6]

Paid the stealer (and now I know why they call it that) to check it out and they found out that it is the "engine harness for the fuel injection system". They want 567.40 for parts and labor and so I am gonna do it myself. Has anyone done this before? Is it hard or time consuming? Any info/help would be great. Does Bentley cover this (mine is in my car at the dealer)?

Derek

[cramer]

Paid the stealer (and now I know why they call it that) to check it out and they found out that it is the "engine harness for the fuel injection system". They want 567.40 for parts and labor and so I am gonna do it myself. Has anyone done this before? Is it hard or time consuming? Any info/help would be great. Does Bentley cover this (mine is in my car at the dealer)?

Derek

I'd check your bentley, but generally the harness is just time consuming... you just unplug and un route the injection harness, and route and plug in the new. What was the cost breakdown? Labor rate should give you an idea on what book time is on the job.

You going to get the one off the parts car?

[DarkWing6]

Well, sudden change of plans when I realized I would have to pay to have it towed and then find time to do it, so in the long run I might save $100. I bit the bullet and I'm (spliting with the rents) paying the stealer the ~$530 to do it and it will be done tomorrow. They charge ~$130 for the part, then $400 for the 4 hours of labor. 1 hour to diagnose and 3 to do the work. The thing that sucks is I did pretty much all the diagnosis for them, but the stupid book calls for 1 hour diagnosis. So all in all I am happy to get my car back, but I'm pissed that I'm getting screwed by the dealer for the work.

Derek :evil:

[DarkWing6]

Picked up my car from the stealer paid the $542 and man am I glad to be driving it again. 3 weeks without the E30 and driving a Honda Civic sucked. I'm just happy to have it back......finally.