No start problem, help!

[chunkymunky877]

Ok, so to start off, the car is an 89 325ix that I bought running with a really bad auto trans, so did what any logical person does and started a 5 speed swap. Finally finished the swap last week, including disabling the neutral safety switch (which I assume I did correct because the car now cranks).
Now the car will crank all day long but will not start! I am not getting spark, and I dont think I'm getting fuel either because the plugs dont smell like gas when I pull them after cranking the car. So to me it sounds like one electrical problem causing both issues. Crank sensor? Nope did that, didnt work. Main relay? Nope did that too. Then just for the hell of it, new cap and rotor, and plugs, and also have a new set of wires waiting to be put in.
Now I'm running out of ideas, patience, money and dont have a car right now because as luck would have it the valve cover gasket just let go on my M3
Any ideas you guys have would be a huge help!

[gp.plus]

Did you happen to unplug the cylinder identifier from the plug wires when you checked/replaced your crank sensor? it's a common mistake to swap these 2 plugs which will cause no fuel/no spark. Also check your engine/chassis ground.

[chunkymunky877]

I actually thought I might have crossed them, so I tried it both ways with no results.
Ill have to check the ground again, but im pretty sure its good.

[gp.plus]

Did you swap the dme to one from a manual? Is this even necessary?

[chunkymunky877]

I did not, I had read that its not needed

[gp.plus]

Yea I wasn't sure about that. Did you check that weird fuse able link in the trunk? I have heard that suggested many times for similar problems. Also did you replace the cps or just take an ohm reading? I had the same trouble about a year ago and my cps ohm'd out correctly, but no spark/fuel, when I replaced it she fired right up.

[ryans09sstc]

Did you splice the two green w/ black stripe wires to the green w/ yellow stripe wire? they are located at the base of the center console next to the shifter.

[Camarok]

Ryan... I don't think the car would crank if that wasn't done. That is the park/ neutral positoin switch... I will NOT crank if it doesn't think it's in neutral or park. I don't think that's the culprit....

[ryans09sstc]

Ryan... I don't think the car would crank if that wasn't done. That is the park/ neutral positoin switch... I will NOT crank if it doesn't think it's in neutral or park. I don't think that's the culprit....

True. One of the green and black wires runs to the start relay so if that ones hooked up it will crank. I know there is also another green and black wire but im not sure where it goes exactly. I read somewhere it might be to somewhere in the injection system. I could not verify this with the bentley though.

I agree it doesnt sound like the culprit but since it probably started before the 5 speed swap i would check the things you changed first.
But this wouldn't disable spark so i forgot about that detail
Deff sounds like a CPS fault then. Just need to know if you replaced it or just tested it like stated above.

[chunkymunky877]

I never actually tested the original CPS, I just bought a new one off of Pelican and put it in because I was pretty convinced that would be the cure.

[Ceeker]

May I chime in; first check all the fuses - easiest part.
I would suggest as mentioned to go backwards to see what you did and check over everything. Swap the dme out, just for shits and giggles.. I have heard it doesn't matter but couldn't hurt to test.

I had a similar problem; I did note that when the CPS plug is switched it shuts off fuel as well. disconnect the fuel pressure line side and crank to see if you get fuel. If not it may be you still have the plugs reversed. if correct, mark one for future reference then try it again. if you get no spark, but fuel. double check to make sure you have all the spark plug wires hooked up properly. I had number 2 and 6 reversed at the cap and was wondering why it wasn't starting. this may not matter at the moment because you state you have no spark. but still check this. Make sure you have a strong battery as well.

[E30_fiend]

Personally, I would check to see if you have fuel at the rail. If you dont, change the fuel pump relay first.

You said 'checked that' regarding the CPS. Did you just check it or did you replace it with a known working one? The ECU has to see a cranking motor in order for it to fire when turning over.


Taylor

[chunkymunky877]

May I chime in; first check all the fuses - easiest part.
I would suggest as mentioned to go backwards to see what you did and check over everything. Swap the dme out, just for shits and giggles.. I have heard it doesn't matter but couldn't hurt to test.

I had a similar problem; I did note that when the CPS plug is switched it shuts off fuel as well. disconnect the fuel pressure line side and crank to see if you get fuel. If not it may be you still have the plugs reversed. if correct, mark one for future reference then try it again. if you get no spark, but fuel. double check to make sure you have all the spark plug wires hooked up properly. I had number 2 and 6 reversed at the cap and was wondering why it wasn't starting. this may not matter at the moment because you state you have no spark. but still check this. Make sure you have a strong battery as well.

I did actually replace the CPS with a brand new one from Pelican parts.
I can try swapping the DME out with another just to try it. The battery is strong, mine is dead so everytime we try to start it we swap the battery out of my freinds E30

[chunkymunky877]

Personally, I would check to see if you have fuel at the rail. If you dont, change the fuel pump relay first.

You said 'checked that' regarding the CPS. Did you just check it or did you replace it with a known working one? The ECU has to see a cranking motor in order for it to fire when turning over.


Taylor

Yeah, I might as well just replace the fuel pump relay anyway.
No the CPS was the first thing I replaced, and it was brand new unit.