Prepare to be Baffled

[benDASHDASH]

I recently pulled my dash and put it back in. Now the car won't start. I'm getting spark on every plug. My fuel pump is running. My injectors are pulsing. I smell fuel. I even just replaced the ECU. No go.The car will crank and sputter, but that's it. I'm out of ideas.

[rs4pro3]

my guese would be the c104 plug for the OBC fuel cut function, does your tach show anything while cranking?

[benDASHDASH]

My tach shows nothing while cranking. Should it? The C104 is plugged in. The code box is bypassed and the fuel pump is running.

BTW rs4pro3, I just bought an ECU locally today. Good luck with the sale.

[James Crivellone]

my guese would be the c104 plug for the OBC fuel cut function, does your tach show anything while cranking?

That was bypassed. I also checked for readings on the speed ref sensor and the AFM, and all are reading as they should.

Fuel pump is running during cranking, so fuel should be fine as stated above.

ECU is getting power when it should be, also checked the main and fuel pump relays, and bypassed the fuel pump relay to ensure fuel was getting to the engine.

All tested fine.

[rs4pro3]

Are you getting voltage to the coil? other than that I'd start running the voltmeter down the pins on the ECU plug to make sure the appropriate pins are either grounded or get 12 volt when they should.

[benDASHDASH]

Are you getting voltage to the coil? other than that I'd start running the voltmeter down the pins on the ECU plug to make sure the appropriate pins are either grounded or get 12 volt when they should.

Yes, I'm getting spark on all cylinders. JC checked the ECU plug for power and even inspected the inside. Everything is how it should be.

[rs4pro3]

Sounds like the problem that kept my 86 528e in the garage for over a year, on it I had to remove the rubber grommet that slides down in the ecu plug as it was causing the plug not to get good contact with the ecu.

[benDASHDASH]

Haha, thats encouraging. Mine has been inspected. I appreciate your ideas though.

Edit: Anyone wanna join the I hate e30's club?

[James Crivellone]

Sounds like the problem that kept my 86 528e in the garage for over a year, on it I had to remove the rubber grommet that slides down in the ecu plug as it was causing the plug not to get good contact with the ecu.

That is what I am leaning toward at this point.

Both Injector banks are firing as they should be, so I am starting to wonder if something is damaged in the engine harness itself.

But yeah coil power is fine, the ICV is operating as it should be (buzzes with the engine off)

I did notice a lack of a check engine light with the engine off/ignition on, thats my next lead here.

[benDASHDASH]

After 5 hours of [James] testing continunity on every wire of the ECU, checking all the sensors, and everything else, the motor actually runs. Why? We're not sure. Probably loose ignition wires even though they were inspected and reseated. Weird. In other news I now know what it feels like to be shocked by a spark plug. That was fun.

Sorry guys, but I'm disbanding the I Hate E30's Club.

[BahnE30]

After 5 hours of [James] testing continunity on every wire of the ECU, checking all the sensors, and everything else, the motor actually runs. Why? We're not sure. Probably loose ignition wires even though they were inspected and reseated. Weird. In other news I now know what it feels like to be shocked by a spark plug. That was fun.

Sorry guys, but I'm disbanding the I Hate E30's Club.

those little cock suckers throw out a fair amount of juice, i checking for spark one day with a screw driver (i know, i was 500km's away from a volt meter) anyway,for some reason part of the rubber end of cut off so needless to say.... IMO beats the hell out of cow fences...

[benDASHDASH]

haha