Car cranking, but not starting(Now with spark!)

[ST1G]

So, the calypso (1990 325i) has been running flawlessly since I purchased it, until about a week ago. I went to a movie and came back three hours later and the car didn't want to start, it cranked and cranked but wouldn't start. I spent about five minutes cranking it, and pressing the gas pedal and finally it came to life. For three or four more days it worked fine, started up no problem a few times a day.

Well, two days ago the same thing happened, I can crank and crank but the car won't start, I had driven it 4 hours prior no problem. I have 1/4 of a tank of fuel.

The spark plugs needed changed badly so I did that and got no change, still just cranks.

I popped off the fuel line to the fuel rail (I think, the line under the FPR) and when I crank it doesn't shoot out any fuel, but I don't know if it should or not.

At this point I'm not sure what to check. Could be the coil, could be that fuel isn't getting to the rail, bad coil, distributor, wires...etc. I am looking for advice in what to test next since I feel like I just start replacing parts I'm going to chase my tail and replace things that don't need done, and I don't have a lot of time during the week with school. The car is 10 miles away from where I live so I have to travel out each time to trouble shoot.

any advice is appreciated.

[Farbin Kaiber]

Fuel injector harness connector under the manifold?


(You do know I could suggest another solution, but I wont...)

[ST1G]

Fuel injector harness connector under the manifold?


(You do know I could suggest another solution, but I wont...)

This is the ultimate solution, and would love to, but I can't be with out a car for 2-3 weeks while I make that happen.


I haven't checked the fuel injector harness under the manifold. I'll look up what that looks like and check it. I'm going to go out to the car here in about 30 minutes.

[Farbin Kaiber]

Open it up, clean it with some spray electrical contact cleaner, let it dry and get some fresh dielectric grease onto the pins and connectors.

[ST1G]

Open it up, clean it with some spray electrical contact cleaner, let it dry and get some fresh dielectric grease onto the pins and connectors.

Okay cool, I'll snag some of that on the way over there.

It seems like it's something intermittent, like a loose connection. Do you have any other suggestions?

[Farbin Kaiber]

Because it's intermittent im saying it sounds like c191.

[ST1G]

Because it's intermittent im saying it sounds like c191.

And this is the connector I am cleaning and re-seating?


EDIT: Also the plugs were not wet after lots of cranking and removing them. More to support the connector I guess.

[Farbin Kaiber]

Thats it!

[ST1G]

Cleaned plug, greased plug, no start. Same issue, with no change. Can the connector only go back on only one way?

Hmm. Not sure what to try next. I was really hoping that was it.

[Farbin Kaiber]

Did you test known working relays?




(EDIT: I'm tossing out easy to check stuff first, but you will be getting to checking sensors and harness with an electrical tester and well placed harness wiggles)

[ST1G]

Did you test known working relays?

Nope. I don't have any relays and would need to pick some up, or pull from non vital parts of the car like horn & headlights.

[HennaE30]

Did you check for spark? I was having a similar issue, turned out to be my CPS ground. Not sure the difference between the early and late cars, but it's worth a shot?

[ST1G]

Did you check for spark? I was having a similar issue, turned out to be my CPS ground. Not sure the difference between the early and late cars, but it's worth a shot?

So, that's what I'm worried about, It could be lots of things.

Judging by the condition of the spark plugs I got a new fuel filter I'm going to be putting on.

I need to drag it back to my house so I can really trouble shoot it at night when I'm home from work/school.

I will then start to check for spark and fuel.

[ST1G]

BUMP

I've got the car home and into the garage to troubleshoot.

I started by checking for spark, there is none in cylinder one plug (I didn't check any others)

So, I checked resistance and voltage and found the following.

Wires: All had no resistance
Coil: Correct resistance between pin 15 (positive) and pin 1 (negative) And between pin 15 and the voltage sender pin (center). I'm getting 11.5v of power at the coil with the key turned to on.
Cap: Cap had just enough resistance to show continuity between the pin's
Rotor: Had the correct resistance (1086 Ohm)

So, I'm Thinking the last thing in the mix is the ECU or the Position sensor? Did I miss something?

[ThatOneEuroE30]

Are you getting spark to the distributor? I know you said none comes from the plugs but if you are getting spark into the distributor but not out then I suspect the problem would be solved. Have you pulled the fuel send line and cranked it to get fuel out? Is the fuel pump engaging? Bad fuel pump relay? Idk I'm just gonna start throwing out shit I checked when the m30 didn't spark.