Electrical Problem

[FuriousCJP]

Thanks for all the help guys. Got the alternator tested at advanced and it failed. But the guy said when I told him '84 318i he says "Don't know if I have the parts to test it". I took it to Oreilys and it tested good(He tested it 4x). Now do those test check the voltage regulator? Should I take it to a rebuild shop and have them test it instead?? If it truly is good where do I check next???

[FuriousCJP]

Thanks for all the help so far everybody. Got the alternator tested at oreilys and it tested good. Should I take it to a rebuild shop and have them test it instead?? Assuming the alternator is good, I'm strongly leaning toward a fuel issue( Pump, regulator, filter, etc.) Its running kinda like the fuel delivery is intermittent or weak. With the car idling and gas pedal held steady, the rpms go up then kinda bogs and goes down. It repeats this till car dies. It does the same thing while driving. I've always smelled a little fuel but now the smell is much stronger. Any ideas?????

[jlevie]

Checking operation of the alternator is easily a DIY. All you need is a digital meter. At idle the system voltage should be 13.5v or greater and should rise to about 14v at 2500rpm. Loading the alternator with the headlights, HVAC, etc., should not significantly affect those readings.

[FuriousCJP]

Took plug wires off and noticed end were slightly miss-shapen and black. I think its oil. Went for plug that goes to ignition coil and tip of ignition coil cracked off into the plug. So I guess I'll start by getting wires and an ignition coil???
I'm guessing that if these 2 things are faulty they could be causing alot of my issues?? Got a few more hours to work on it. I'll let u know how the plugs and such look.

[FuriousCJP]

The parts are finally in. I got new ignition coil (to replace cracked 1.) I also got plugs and wires. I'll go throw them on real quick and let you guys know. Cross your fingers, pray to god

[FuriousCJP]

Sorry bout that. Friend came over then I passed out shortly after he left. It is running alot better. It only bogs out/down a few times. When pressing gas the rpms stay level longer. They do still drop every now and then when it bogs but reved back up and mantained.
I think its driveable again.;D I want to fix the slight bog/pause though before taking it out for spin. I was thinking fuel filter since I haven't changed it since I got the car. I heard theres a way to test the pressure regulator. Something about a measuring cup and 30 secs, I forget. Probably start there and then check fuel filter. Is there a way to test the fuel filter?? Any other tests I could run???Anything u think I'm missing???

[FuriousCJP]

Replaced ground for battery as it was looking kinda suspect. Got fuel filter it was cheap enough. Still have to change it but I noticed somthing today. Got some Lucas for fuel put it in. On the way home I noticed that the bog,hestation,hiccup problem(whatever you wanna call it) only happens under a sudden throttle. The car drives fine if I accelerate slow&smooth. If I try to go straight to 1/4 throttle or higher it bogs/hiccups. Its noticeable in every gear but 4th( didn't think to try 5th). Does this sound fuel related??? What do you guys think???

[FuriousCJP]

Alright guys its been awhile since I touched the car.The fuel filter still sits in the garage. I went out a couple days ago to let it idle and get some Lucas through the system. It was idling like a champ. Today I decided to take it for a test drive. Let it idle for 10mins and drove it for 30mins. Not the slightest hesitation/hiccup. Makes me think the old ass fuel system is just mucked up. This extreme cold just made it made it apparent/worse. I think I'm gonna give it a real test drive and take it on the paper routes tonight.
Any input will help. I'll keep u posted.

[FuriousCJP]

Great news gang.:-D I drove it for a solid 2hrs last night and it ran fine. The hiccup problem had to be fuel related right?? I can still smell fuel pretty heavy. It seems stronger on drivers side. Theres a 2nd fuel pump on drivers side right? I heard its not really necessary. Could that have caused my issues and how would 1 go about checking it???

[jlevie]

Your 84 has two pumps. A low pressure transfer pump in the right side of tank and a high pressure pump under the car in front of the left rear wheel. Both pumps are necessary. If you can smell fuel there is a leak. It could be a hose, the in-tank pump seal, or even a pinhole in the tank. You just have to investigate to find the leak.

[FuriousCJP]

Well it ran well up until the 7th. Then the same hiccup/bog. I'm still thinking about getting the alternator and just trying it to see if it helps (My alternators always die in the winter and it has been extremely cold) I'll probably do the fuel stuff 1st. I wanna check the fuel system for leaks this weekend. Does anybody have any good diagrams of the whole fuel system tank to engine?? Real OEM splits it up.