Only getting a spark when the ignitions turns off? Someone wanna help?!

[mother_russia]

So my e30 is literally 95% put back together. All I have to do is figure out why it's not getting a spark and put the interior panels back together.
The main problem I have right now, is the no spark issue. Giving the car enough juice, I try and turn it over, but it doesn't get a spark. But as SOON as the engine stops turning(when we turn ignition off), there is a spark.
I already changed out the coil, the cap and rotor. Does anyone have any ideas?
Thanks in advance!

[jlevie]

No spark when cranking usually means a problem with timing data to the DME or a problem with DME power. Start there.

[mother_russia]

No spark when cranking usually means a problem with timing data to the DME or a problem with DME power. Start there.

I'm not very good with electrical.. so what would I do, in order to start with the dme power?

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[jlevie]

A quick and esay check is to see if the ICV vibrates when the ignition is switched on. If it does the DME is powered up and running.

[mother_russia]

The car recently went through a 5 speed swap. The one thing that hasnt been done yet is the connection of the wires under the shifter. Could that be a problem why?

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[jlevie]

No, the wires relating to the shifter only affect operation of the starter.

[mother_russia]

And what about the ecu being from the auto? Do I need an ecu from a 5 speed car, or am I fine with the one I have?

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[jlevie]

The DME for manual and automatic cars is the same.

What car do you have? A five speed swap in a 325i/is/ic presents no issues as far as the engine management system is concerned. But if the car is a 325e, you must use the correct transmission (with the ports for the timing sensors) and you must use a flywheel with the timing slug. And not swap the connections for the timing sensors.

[mother_russia]

I don't believe I have the e motor. But is there any way to check to see, like a bar code off the motor or something, to determine the motor that I have?

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[jlevie]

Did the transmission that came out of the car have two sensors mounted in the left side of the bell housing? What is the Bosch number on the DME?

You can plug the last 7 of the VIN into http://realoem.com the see what the car was built to be (and what engine it came with). But that doesn't necessarily tell you what is in the car now.

[mother_russia]

Did the transmission that came out of the car have two sensors mounted in the left side of the bell housing? What is the Bosch number on the DME?

You can plug the last 7 of the VIN into http://realoem.com the see what the car was built to be (and what engine it came with). But that doesn't necessarily tell you what is in the car now.

Not sure about the transmission or the Bosch number on the DME, but I can check asap.
I was talking to a mechanic today, and he told me that it sounds like the problem is coming from the ignition module. He said it should be located behind the cap and rotor?

What do you think?

[FLG]

You need a new mechanic...the only thing behind the cap and rotor is the cam gear.

Check for power at the dme

Pin 18 should be constant

Pin 36 switched via the ignition

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[mother_russia]

You need a new mechanic...the only thing behind the cap and rotor is the cam gear.

Check for power at the dme

Pin 18 should be constant

Pin 36 switched via the ignition

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I was talking to "a" mechanic. Just wanted his output on my situation.
There's power going to the DME because the ICV vibrates when the ignition turns on.
So pin 36 should only be getting power when the ignition turns on, right?

[Vtec?lol]

Dude, what year and model is your car?