Need some Input!!!!

[drutt23]

Hey guys. I found a 92 325i for sale the other day. It has an M50 and a brand new five speed in it. The issue is that the guy ran the car down a guard rail which apparently caused the ECU to lock up the engine. He says that the engine runs great otherwise. He also stated that the axles got bent from the collision. My plan currently is to buy this and swap the M50 and Getrag into my E30. My question is what will it take to get the ECU to unlock the engine so that I can run it?? Will I need a new ECU or can I just reset it by unplugging it then plug it back in and connect a battery to it??

[samiam3356]

How much are you paying for said vehicle? You might be better off going a different route.

[drutt23]

He wants 795 OBO for the whole car. I was going to offer him 400 right off the bat to start.

[samiam3356]

I don't know man. Something just sounds fishy as hell. See if there is any common denominators that can vouch for said motor.

[drutt23]

Thanks bunches for the input man!! I really do appreciate it!! I agree with you tho. It seems like a good deal, but I'm scared to buy into something that's completely fucked cuz I don't have extra time or money for that right now. I do need the tranny either way unfortunately cuz my auto that came outta my E30 is toast. I've never heard of the ECU locking up the engine in an accident before. Is that really true??? I think there is something he's not telling me....

[wodcutr]

I have never heard of an ECU locking up an E30 motor. I guess it is an M50 so it is an E36 motor in the E30. I have heard of the 13 button OBC doing such a thing, but that can be reset by unplugging the battery. If the airbags went off then that would need to be reset to allow the car to start as well. I suspect that this is why the car is not starting. Does it turn over?

[drutt23]

The airbags did not deploy. I don't know if it will turn over yet. It doesn't have a battery in it. I have one that I can use to see if it will turn or start though. I have to make an appointment with the guy to do so. I figured I would reset the ECU and pop a battery in it and see if what he says about it running great is true. Then i can really determine if it is worth it. I went down and took pics of it a few min ago. Uploading them now.

[drutt23]

Here's some pics of it. Input on everything greatly appreciated!!

[5Toes]

What are you waiting for... it looks like a steal.

Buy it, part it, profit

[F34R]

If you can get it for 400 I would not worry about it. Junking the shell after you pull the drive train and part the good stuff will make back the 400.

As to the locking up part: I would snag a ECU from a friend or something and swap it so see if that solves the issue. I personally don't know much about the E36 safety faults etc. So no clue on the OBC troubleshooting.

[mcgillaguddy]

Buy it.. definitely worth it even if all you end up doing is parting it. If you need I have a 403 ecu for non vanos m50's that I'd let go pretty cheap.

[drutt23]

Thanks a bunch guys. I'm going to see if I can get an appointment set up with the guy and check it out more in depth. Mcgillaguddy, thank you kindly. You have a pm.