bought my first e30 for $500! Yes, it needs a little love.

[randomquickness]

I don't think it sat too long but I haven't ruled out rust in the tank possibly clogging the internal fuel pump or fuel filter. The thing is it's hard to diagnose it when it acts so random. It will go from nothing wrong one day to not even starting the next day!

[Shangsta]

^I think its a bought for cheap in texas problem. Mine does the same shit. Where about in texas are you?

[randomquickness]

Killeen/Fort Hood

[randomquickness]

check the throttle position sensor.

is that the same as a crank position sensor? I have a feeling this might be the problem...sometimes when it's trying to start, if I tap the gas, it seems as if there is no response.

[randomquickness]

car wouldn't start this evening and I was bored so...

this was actually my first time ever taping anything off and it is not a quick process! I'm going to sand it down and spray it. Any recommendations for a good spray paint for it?

[StereoInstaller1]

What does the tach do when it won't run?

[randomquickness]

it functions like normal. I haven't noticed anything out of the ordinary on the tach.

[StereoInstaller1]

it functions like normal. I haven't noticed anything out of the ordinary on the tach.

Kind of a bummer. These cars have a relay that runs basically the whole motor. One half runs the fuel pump, the other half runs the DME. This would be the dreaded "Main Relay" and LOTS of them are crapping out after 20ish years. Your condition may be a bad main relay still, there are 2 contacts inside that do crap out.

Have you found the electrical troubleshooting manual? You can find it at www.wedophones.com, look for "MANUALS" then "AUTOMOTIVE" and I bet you get it from there.

HTH,
Luke

[randomquickness]

I replaced the fuel pump relay but not the main relay. Is it likely the main relay you think?

[TS323]

Nice come up. looks like a fun beater dd.

[Turf1600]

I'm still thinking TPS. It's on the underside of the TB. Maybe AFM too?

[randomquickness]

is TPS the same as crank position sensor? can you link me to the part?

[Jean]

tps is different from cps

throttle position sensor, on the throttle body.

[10-66kruk]

I know my opinion won't be regarding as high as other members in here, but I would also believe this to be the main relay, not the engine one though.
When I bought my car last year I was told the fuel pump relay kept going bad so he had extras in the car. Whatever to me no worries, this turned out to not be the issue as I was driving home the car just died. Wouldn't start back up no matter what I did, nor relay I put in. It turned out to be the black box under the drivers side dash. One of the circuits in the board was actually bad. I was told a new unit is somewhere between 120-150$.
So might want to look into this because I've had this happen and sense its been re- soldered my car has run perfect.
hope this helps.

[StereoInstaller1]

the black box under the drivers side dash.

Not doubting your story here at all, but what black box? How big was it?

OP, the main relay is the forward one in that group of 3. It is unique on the E30, you cannot swap any other relay in, even to test. Find another running E28/30 and swap that main in.