Car Won't Start... Fuel Pump maybe?

[87e30]

About a week ago I let my car get too low on gas (just got the car wasn't familiar with how long I could run on empty... computer said 30 miles left) and I ran out of gas on the freeway. It's pretty dry but AAA bails me out. Woops!

Now, last night I'm driving down the road and the gas pedal becomes on and off, like touch it slightly and it's almost floored and take it off and it jerks to a stop. I coast into a parking lot and the car dies.

Now I try to start it... it turns on fine idles and then dies. I put in some gas hoping that was my problem and it seemed like it was maybe going to start but no luck. I tried pumping the pedal and stuff and it just dies out.

So I'm wondering if I burned out the pump or if the filter is clogged?

[Tbolt]

I am no expert, and I am having a similar issue getting my car to start as well. Have you tried turning the key to the on-position (but not starting) and listening for the pump? When I did that at first I could hear the pump make noise and I thought my pump was ok(but I have heard that it could make a noise that sounds like it is about to die)...well now it doesn't make any noise at all. I am not sure if it is because of the wiring(relay w/e) or the pump just went bad.

[87e30]

I tried listening for the pump but I could not hear anything. I will go check again, I really don't know what I'm listening for.

Is the pump in the gas tank or somewhere easier to get to on these cars?

[87e30]

I just tried to start it after letting it sit for the night and it revs up to 2k and then dies.

Still didn't hear a fuel pump noise.

[87e30]

I just replaced the fuel filter, didn't work.

Since the early model car has a pump inside the tank and a main pump outside next to the filter which one should I be thinking about replacing?

[jlevie]

The Bentley manual has a set of tests of the fuel system that will tell which component of the fuel system is bad. I'd advise running through those tests rather than throwing parts at the problem and hoping for a favorable outcome.

[submwar]

when you put the key in ignition and twist it to the running position (dash lights should come on), listen for a deep rumble, very faint. that should last about 2-3s as the tank's fuel pump primes up.

the rumble sounds like an aircraft flying over, uh i dont really know how else to describe it. when i first drove the car, thats what i thought it was, then i sourced it to the fuel pump. durr

good luck, go with chiltons so you've got some direction

[87e30]

Yeah, I noticed throwing parts was a bad idea. I replaced the fuel filter, and bought a fuel pump but before putting in the pump decided to test the current one. Both the pump and filter are good.

The car will turn on and rev then just die. Gas pedal is useless. If I do it too much it won't start again. If I give it a minute and then try the process repeats.

Electrical problem?

[chileelky]

Hi, from Chile, new on the forum, new on Bmw´s, got a 83 323ia
had exactly the same problem (the car will start but only run for a second or two. Once it has been started three or four times It will not start again until it sits for a few minutes), can´t find solution. Any findings?
Appreciate your help

[Todd Black 88]

Sensors in the bellhousing good? If the speed sensor is bad it will idle, but "looses the will to live" when reved up, due to the ecu not advancing the timing. As a note if you have 2 fuel pumps and the tank one fails, the car will still run but it will lean out at the upper part of your rev range. If the external one dies, its a no go.

[slo325i]

Isn't there a pouch/filter at the bottom of the fuel pump? Maybe that's been clogged??

[archemedes]

check fuel pressure

[chileelky]

I give up. Car´s sitting at the mechanic for a week. The car was running great and all of a sudden it dies till now
Fuel presure ok, FPR, filter, changed, all fuses revised, looks injectors not working.
Mine (83 323ia) has not injector harness conector.
Tomorrow I´ll change injection relay
Any other places to look for?
Thank you

[Todd Black 88]

Bellhousing sensors? Pin on the flywheel fall out? If TDC sensors see nothing, it won't start. Just ideas, its probably much simpler than that though.

[chileelky]

Injection relay changed, car´s running smooth now.
2 questions:
is there a code for that failure?
how much is that relay in USA?
Thanks