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Strange problems...starting and head light studder

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    #1

    Strange problems...starting and head light studder

    1. In the morning the car always starts up with in three cranks. Lately when i'm getting ready to leave work 8 hours later I will have to crank and crank 10-15 times. Usually have to give it some gas or it will just crank. It sounds intermittently like it wants to bite. When it tries to start a little is usually when I can give it a little gas and gets it to start. Then though it will run real rough and miss for like 3-10 seconds approx. The not wanting to start is totally random the rest of the time... so I don't know. My girl friend keeps asking me if i’m shore it will start again haha.. Help Please!

    2. Three separate occasions I have pulled the headlight switch and the car will die and come back to life right away. Twice this happened while driving and once while idling. The first time this happened the check engine light came on, but went off before I had a chance to pull over and check the code. When I went to check it, it came up with the 1444???

    If anybody could try and help me with these issues it would be much appreciated.

    EDIT: One other strange thing i have noticed is that sometimes if my blinkers are on or i roll down a window the gas gauge needle will move a little then go back when i let off a switch... can any body explain this??


    89 325i btw


    Zach Buchko
    Last edited by brn2ply7; 11-25-2008, 05:54 AM.
    89 325i parts car
    90 325i in progress
    ground control 400f 700r-koni adjustables-koni adjustable sways-reinforced control arms-ground control camber plates-e36 cabrio shock mounts-4.10 lsd-5 speed swap in the works
    --tryng to join the schwarz army one day at a time--sigpic
    Tags: None
    #2
    ttt
    89 325i parts car
    90 325i in progress
    ground control 400f 700r-koni adjustables-koni adjustable sways-reinforced control arms-ground control camber plates-e36 cabrio shock mounts-4.10 lsd-5 speed swap in the works
    --tryng to join the schwarz army one day at a time--sigpic

    Comment

      #3
      ttt
      89 325i parts car
      90 325i in progress
      ground control 400f 700r-koni adjustables-koni adjustable sways-reinforced control arms-ground control camber plates-e36 cabrio shock mounts-4.10 lsd-5 speed swap in the works
      --tryng to join the schwarz army one day at a time--sigpic

      Comment

        #4
        i need help guys!!
        89 325i parts car
        90 325i in progress
        ground control 400f 700r-koni adjustables-koni adjustable sways-reinforced control arms-ground control camber plates-e36 cabrio shock mounts-4.10 lsd-5 speed swap in the works
        --tryng to join the schwarz army one day at a time--sigpic

        Comment

          #5
          Start checking harness connections and especiallythe main power connections grounds and as well.

          Comment

            #6
            alternator grounds & wiring
            battery

            it's winter.. your battery needs to pump out more juice to star the car when it's cold out. that means if your alternator/battery is weak, it's going to do things like you describe.
            Build thread

            Bimmerlabs

            Comment

              #7
              well its done this for the past year its just gotten too anoying...the headlight thing bothers me though...will check wiring and grounds today.
              89 325i parts car
              90 325i in progress
              ground control 400f 700r-koni adjustables-koni adjustable sways-reinforced control arms-ground control camber plates-e36 cabrio shock mounts-4.10 lsd-5 speed swap in the works
              --tryng to join the schwarz army one day at a time--sigpic

              Comment

                #8
                ttt
                89 325i parts car
                90 325i in progress
                ground control 400f 700r-koni adjustables-koni adjustable sways-reinforced control arms-ground control camber plates-e36 cabrio shock mounts-4.10 lsd-5 speed swap in the works
                --tryng to join the schwarz army one day at a time--sigpic

                Comment

                  #9
                  Electrical issues means that you're supposed to look at the alternator & voltage regulator. Done that yet?

                  -Charlie
                  Swing wild, brake later, don't apologize.
                  '89 324d, '76 02, '98 318ti, '03 Z4, '07 MCS, '07 F800s - Bonafide BMW elitist prick.
                  FYYFF

                  Comment

                    #10
                    Not yet but i will try to get to it today... one other strange thing i have noticed is that sometimes if my blinkers are on or i roll down a window the gas gauge needle will move a little then go back when i let off a switch... can any body explain this??
                    89 325i parts car
                    90 325i in progress
                    ground control 400f 700r-koni adjustables-koni adjustable sways-reinforced control arms-ground control camber plates-e36 cabrio shock mounts-4.10 lsd-5 speed swap in the works
                    --tryng to join the schwarz army one day at a time--sigpic

                    Comment

                      #11
                      Sounds like current draw to me, loose alternator belt, maybe.

                      When you go and roll your window up/down, you're drawing current from everything else. Most likely cause something in the charging system needs attention.

                      Comment

                        #12
                        1444 is the "OK" code, meaning all is well. No codes stored.

                        1. Go buy a can of CRC 5102 "Electrical Contact Cleaner" meaning, this stuff:


                        Don't fuck around, you need this stuff if you own an E30.

                        2. Start cleaning every damn connection in your car, basically. First one is the 10mm bolt holding about 2 bazillion grounds right above your brake pedal.

                        Basically, your headlight system has nothing in common with your engine...except perhaps you have an issue with the "Key on headlight relay", or the headlight switch ground (only used to control the dimmer though, no "real" function) so I wanna know why the hell your headlights would kill the motor.

                        Grab a DMM and test your battery voltage in 3 places. WRITE IT DOWN with both engine running and not. The three places are:
                        1. Battery
                        2. Jump point (use the strut ground as your ground point)
                        3. Alternator (use the block as ground)

                        Now, have someone turn your headlights on wiht the motor running and test those same 3 places. Think of this as more of "ruling stuff out" than actually looking for a problem.

                        Oh yeah, they carry that CRC stuff at WalMart.

                        Luke

                        Closing SOON!
                        "LAST CHANCE FOR G.A.S." DEAL IS ON NOW

                        Luke AT germanaudiospecialties DOT com or text 425-761-6450, or for quickest answers, call me at the shop 360-669-0398

                        Thanks for 10 years of fun!

                        Comment

                          #13
                          Hopefully i will be able to run through all this this holiday since i get a 4 day weeknd. But i also need to get my mustang back up and running this weeknd so i can replace all my rear bushings that i have sitting nicely in the garage. BUT i will get this done first. I have to have something driveable haha.
                          89 325i parts car
                          90 325i in progress
                          ground control 400f 700r-koni adjustables-koni adjustable sways-reinforced control arms-ground control camber plates-e36 cabrio shock mounts-4.10 lsd-5 speed swap in the works
                          --tryng to join the schwarz army one day at a time--sigpic

                          Comment

                            #14
                            http://r3vlimited.com/board/showthread.php?t=122665

                            I had a problem similar to this, it got worse and worse as the ground loosened up and got corroded. CHECK THIS GROUND BEFORE YOU STAR THROWING PART AT YOUR CAR LIKE I DID. Granted, I would have needed to replace the parts I did eventually, I was just super frustrated.
                            If you don't feel like linking, Here is what you need to do.
                            1. Remove all breathing components carefully
                            2. Locate the ground from the inside of your drivers side fender to the top of your "oil pan" on the drivers side of your motor.
                            3. Remove it and sand the attachment points and clean it with the afore mentioned cleaner.
                            4. put everything back together nice and tight.
                            That may be the problem. At least it was for me.
                            Yours truly,
                            Rich
                            sigpic
                            Originally posted by Rigmaster
                            you kids get off my lawn.....

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