Car won't start!

[Smash9002]

Last week I was driving(89 325i) and had pulled over for a minute on a back road. When I came back to my car it started then sputtered and died. When I tried it again it would start for a second and quickly die, then 3 hours later after waiting for a tow truck that didnt show up it just started and ran fine. The same thing happened 2 more times and now it wont start at all. The only thing Ive have done to my car recently is bleed the cooling system because it had some bubbles.. Im hoping someone can recognize the problem.. Anybody had this happen or have an idea of where I should start?

[E30_fiend]

Check out all fuel system possiblilities. Fuel filter, clogged fuel lines or even your fuel pump relay. The relay may have some problems going on with it that makes it work when it wants to.

Your car turns over right? Just doesn't fire and stay running?


E30_Fiend

[mikeedler]

relay or fuel pump would be my guess.-- or the 80% of all problems, a bad ground somewhere.

[wagonizzle]

Sounds like the fuel pump dying. Keep a rubber mallet in the car. Next time it won't start, bang on the area around the pump (under the rear seat cushion, which just pops out) and see if it will start. If it does, it's probably the pump. Replace that shit. And the filter and rubber lines. ~$250 for all that.

[Smash9002]

Thanks guys, makes sense that it would be the fuel pump. The car just cranks over, battery is strong. I tried banging around with a rubber mallet but it didn't help. Right now the car is sitting in front of my house and hasn't started in 3 days. I don't have a Bentley manual, can anyone tell me where the fuel pump relay is and how I can test it and the fuel pump?

[shiftbmw]

I think they are mounted on the drivers fender well under the hood. There should be a little box there and it should be the middle of the 3 relays...

I could be completely wrong though.