m20 woes

[StereoInstaller1]

This right here is why you should never own 1 E30

[whiltebeitel]

Even a $5 HF multimeter will get you far enough to figure out most anything that could be bad, wiring wise.

[gregslow318i]

my bet is a bad cps and or a bad coil. not a bad dme, most 173, 883...ect fail from fuel issues not spark

[gregslow318i]

my bet is a bad cps and or a bad coil. not a bad dme, most 173, 883...ect fail from fuel issues not spark

[Edev]

my bet is a bad cps and or a bad coil. not a bad dme, most 173, 883...ect fail from fuel issues not spark

Yeah we just put in a different dme and it didn't help. I'm now going to look to see if anyone has a cps. Coil is good, I've used 3 different ones from working cars.

[Edev]

Josh came over and we tried out his main relay. Still a no go. I'm probably going to take it to a shop since I can't figure it out and the only people coming over and helping are Josh and Matt. Ugh.

[dashboardmonkey]

Eric, I wish I could come help you but I am broke with no gas.:(

[Edev]

Eric, I wish I could come help you but I am broke with no gas.:(

If I can't get someone more local to come over and help, I'll pay for your gas to and from my house.

I replaced the fusible link with a 50a like Luke did, and it still doesn't get a spark.

WHAT THE FUCK

[whiltebeitel]

Use a multimeter and check the pin outs on the harness connector to the ECU. Seriously, that will show you what is screwed up. Stop wasting time randomly swapping parts and diagnose it. It'll take a couple of hours, but you will actually get somewhere with it.

[Edev]

Use a multimeter and check the pin outs on the harness connector to the ECU. Seriously, that will show you what is screwed up. Stop wasting time randomly swapping parts and diagnose it. It'll take a couple of hours, but you will actually get somewhere with it.

So I take the ECU off of the harness then I turn the key to the on position, right before you actually start the car. Then I take the multimeter and use it on the harness side of the ecu?

[whiltebeitel]

So I take the ECU off of the harness then I turn the key to the on position, right before you actually start the car. Then I take the multimeter and use it on the harness side of the ecu?

Yes, it's in the Bentley manual. You jump some pins, grond others, just get a couple pieces of wire and go down the chart. You can switch relays, run the fuel pumps, check resistances for the sensors, etc. The only thing i couldn't check was the complete operation of the O2 sensor, since it must be hot, and the car wouldn't run (obviously)

[Edev]

Yes, it's in the Bentley manual. You jump some pins, grond others, just get a couple pieces of wire and go down the chart. You can switch relays, run the fuel pumps, check resistances for the sensors, etc. The only thing i couldn't check was the complete operation of the O2 sensor, since it must be hot, and the car wouldn't run (obviously)

Okay, and if I do find an error with it..would I just have to get a new harness?

[SiGmA_X]

You're hopeless. Most likely you'll end up finding bad resistance in the CPS. If I wasn't so damn busy with school, work, and projects here in Portland that I am being paid well to do and can't find time to work on, I'd come fix it for you.

I'll make a trouble chart instead:

1. Do you have a Bentley?
Yes -> 2
No -> Get a Bentley
2. Do you have a Multimeter?
Yes -> 3
No -> Get a Multimeter
3. Open the Bentley and find engine wiring troubleshooting (I hope this is the title.. Seeing as how I've never used an e30 Bentley for troubleshooting, I'm not really sure :p)
4. Follow instructions
5. Find bad component
6. Verify bad component
7. Are you forgetting anything?
Yes -> Go to 6.
No -> Go to 8.
8. Is component bad?
Yes -> Replace component
No -> Replace user


Basically, RTFM. This sounds like a really simple problem. If you already swapped DME's, and your coil runs another car just fine, there are not that many things that will prevent your M20 from having spark! Its a freaking M20 for pete sake! Its basically a tractor motor, very easy to diagnose and fix!

Also, what year/type is the car?

[Edev]

You're hopeless. Most likely you'll end up finding bad resistance in the CPS. If I wasn't so damn busy with school, work, and projects here in Portland that I am being paid well to do and can't find time to work on, I'd come fix it for you.

I'll make a trouble chart instead:

1. Do you have a Bentley?
Yes -> 2
No -> Get a Bentley
2. Do you have a Multimeter?
Yes -> 3
No -> Get a Multimeter
3. Open the Bentley and find engine wiring troubleshooting (I hope this is the title.. Seeing as how I've never used an e30 Bentley for troubleshooting, I'm not really sure :p)
4. Follow instructions
5. Find bad component
6. Verify bad component
7. Are you forgetting anything?
Yes -> Go to 6.
No -> Go to 8.
8. Is component bad?
Yes -> Replace component
No -> Replace user


Basically, RTFM. This sounds like a really simple problem. If you already swapped DME's, and your coil runs another car just fine, there are not that many things that will prevent your M20 from having spark! Its a freaking M20 for pete sake! Its basically a tractor motor, very easy to diagnose and fix!

Also, what year/type is the car?

I've been using the Bentley for the past few days. Same with the multimeter. Speaking of those, I just came back inside from using both on the ecu harness.

Lol I know! But I not mechanically inclined at all (make jokes saying it's so easy a caveman can do it :D). But yeah, I'm just stumped. I'd like to try another CPS BUT no one has an extra or will let me borrow theirs. The motor is from a '90 325i. Oh, I have been reading the manual but no luck.

You can head over right now and I'll buy you coffee tonight, and then lunch whenever :D

[daniel]

one of my favorite songs ever.