'89 325I No Start

[Etfren]

So first off, a little back story on the car. This is my first E30 and I bought it back in February. Bought it as a complete car with the engine and trans out of the car, but supposedly everything included except for the radiator and fan. The car was running and driving with this setup before it was removed. Sourced the needed parts, got everything installed and now I am having issues trying to get it started. Pretty sure my problem is with the reference sensors, and possibly fuel pump as well. Trying to sort out the reference sensor issue first before tackling fuel.

The car is originally a 325i auto but was converted to a 5-speed at some point. The trans is from an 7/86 325e. The ECU is M1.3 for a 325i so I am assuming its original to the car.

I am trying to figure out what trans mounted reference sensors I need, if at all. I have the front mounted CPS sensor as well currently on the car. Got the car cranking but I am not getting spark or fuel.

I found these reference sensors in with the parts that it came with, but they are in rough shape so I bought some used ones. The old ones have a round 2 prong plug-in and the sensors are round. The new ones I got are from an '86 325e car and are square with a square 3 prong plug-in.

Old


New


I just want to drive it!

[101]

The "i" cars do not have any transmission mounted reference sensors. That's an eta thing.

Your car has only one reference sensor that reads the crank pulley, visible on the right front side of the engine. That sensor plugs into one of the ports next to the diagnostic connector.

The ignition wires also have a sensor that comes off one of the spark plug wires and goes to the second port next to the diagnostic connector.

Those two sensors have the same style plug, but must be in the proper plug next to the diagnostic connector. If they are reversed, the car will not start.

Good luck!

[Etfren]

The "i" cars do not have any transmission mounted reference sensors. That's an eta thing.

Your car has only one reference sensor that reads the crank pulley, visible on the right front side of the engine. That sensor plugs into one of the ports next to the diagnostic connector.

The ignition wires also have a sensor that comes off one of the spark plug wires and goes to the second port next to the diagnostic connector.

Those two sensors have the same style plug, but must be in the proper plug next to the diagnostic connector. If they are reversed, the car will not start.

Good luck!

Yeah, finally figured that out.

Got the sensors figured out between which one was crank and which one was cylinder ID.

Turns out I had a friend wire in the harness and wasn't getting any power over to the fuel pump relay. Got the wiring harness back out of the car and all cut apart, now for the fun part of repairing it. :(