arctic vortex start no start

[mondonitro]

oh boy, my 90IS started when it was -1 ,idled rough then stopped. I tried restarting and nothing, it is now 14 degrees and it cranks fine but no hint of starting?
Any ideas? It has never let me down in the cold before. All the fuses are good, no fuel smell, icv buzzes, 1/3 tank of gas. Drove fine all day in 5 degree weather now all crank and no ply.

Any help Thanks

[ST1G]

Is the coolant frozen?

[jalopi]

Could be flooded - did you try starting it with the gas pedal fully depressed? I know most modern EFI systems cut fuel when doing this while trying to start the car, not sure if these old BMWs are the same way.

[TurboJake]

Is the coolant frozen?

I see what you did there.

Even at 1/3 tank, the gas can still freeze if there's water in there, which if it sputtered and then died, with no current fuel smell is the first thing I would jump to.

ISOHEET!

[slammin.e28]

Napa has some Thermo-Aid (#7100) stuff. It's 99.9% Isopropyl alcohol. Supposed to prevent line freeze up and remove water from the fuel system.

Try that.

[mondonitro]

coolant not frozen that I can tell
Tried foot to floor
nothing just cranks without even a sputter

[ST1G]

i see what you did there.

;D

I'd do as Slammin suggested.

[blunttech]

take the boot off and shoot some starter fluid or carb cleaner in there If it fires youre fuel line is frozen

[E30 Wagen]

Sounds like an electrical problem.

[dnguyen1963]

Sounds like an electrical problem.

Man, this is a lot of help! It is almost like saying the sun will rise tomorrow.

[TurboJake]

Man, this is a lot of help! It is almost like saying the sun will rise tomorrow.

Hopefully from the west. Whenever it rises from the east, it really grinds my gears.

[E30 Wagen]

Man, this is a lot of help! It is almost like saying the sun will rise tomorrow.

Hey jackface, what's your problem? I'm just saying it's more likely a failure in the ignition system and wouldn't waste time messing with the fuel system and instead make sure there's spark. I don't think it would start at all if the fuel lines were frozen, but it did. I suppose the main fuel pump could be seized up... It would help to know how long it idled for.

[dnguyen1963]

Hey jackface, what's your problem? I'm just saying it's more likely a failure in the ignition system and wouldn't waste time messing with the fuel system and instead make sure there's spark. I don't think it would start at all if the fuel lines were frozen, but it did. I suppose the main fuel pump could be seized up... It would help to know how long it idled for.

No problem. Much better response than "electrical problem".

[mondonitro]

It idled for about 1 to 2 minutes started to smooth out then just abruptly stopped.
Don't know if this is related but the night before the temp gauge went to 3/4, I shut it down, popped the hood the motor was cold to touch, restart, gauge normal, half way mark.

[Colby.325e]

No problem. Much better response than "electrical problem".

Quoted because lol. My coworkers are looking at me weird for laughing out loud, when I should be on the phone helping my fantastic customers.