This will stump the best of you...

[bimmerboy12]

This is has been a pretty bizarre week. First off, about a week ago i was driving my 88 325iC, running perfectly, and it completely shut off. no sputtering, just off. I pulled over, and it started right up. This started to happen every time I would drive it, then twice every time I drove it, and taking longer and longer to start after it died. Finally it died and never restarted. Changed the crank position sensor, had vibrant spark, new fuel filter, pump buzzed upon cranking. Still nothing. Pulled a plug, and no wetness or gas smell. Finally I pulled the intake off and sprayed starter fluid in the throttle body. Started and ran, idled, revved up. Next day (with intake box still disconnected) started and ran. Turned it off, connected the airbox and plugged in the MAF sensor, and would not start. Took it back off, sprayed fluid in, still didn't start. WTF???
My neighbor and I think it is the fuel pump going bad, and it is overheating and working sporatically, and even with the buzzing, it may not be pushing enough pressure to open the injectors.
Any help would be appreciated! My crew is stumped!

-Brian

[StereoInstaller1]

Fuel injector harness connector, under the intake manifold.

Clean dat bitch, yo!

[bimmerboy12]

UPDATE: Connecting the airbox and MAF does not affect the issue whatsoever. I got it to start and held my hand on the fuel pump, it would buzz but change sounds right when the car would die. Don't know if that is what is causing it to die, or if it is changing sounds as a result of the car dying. This sucks.

Where exactly is that harness located?

[jlevie]

The C191 connector is located underneath the intake manifold, roughly centered on the throttle body. It connects the injectors to the main engine harness, so if there's a poor connection there the injectors won't fire.

This could be a failing pump or FPR. A pressure gauge connected to the inlet line to the fuel rail will quickly tell whether fuel pressure is a problem. However, a fuel pressure problem usually causes the engine to sputter as it dies. What you described sounds more like an electrical problem that simply shuts off the engine. The Main relay, C191 connector, coil, or even the DME area ll suspects.

[bimmerboy12]

Fuel injector harness connector, under the intake manifold.

Clean dat bitch, yo!

One question: where is the bowdown icon? I got it started, running perfectly, merely touched the fuel injector harness connector, and the car instantly died. I tried it two or three more times because I was so excited and I guess I could say with confidence that this is the issue. Stereoinstaller is the man.
Thank you!
Brian

[StereoInstaller1]

Stereoinstaller is the man.
Thank you!
Brian

Bullshit. I learned that trick on R3V. Worked on the wife's car, too.

Thanks, though.

Luke

[bimmerboy12]

Bullshit. I learned that trick on R3V. Worked on the wife's car, too.

Thanks, though.

Luke

Ok my next question, although stupid: How do you disconnect this harness? It looks as if you would turn the round plastic portion to disconnect sort of like the computer hook-up connector. Anyways, its not coming apart easily and i don't want to break it.
Thanks!

[NC325iC]

twist the halves until they stop then pull them apart