M42club.com - Home of the BMW E30/E36 318i/iS

DISCUSSION => Engine + Driveline => Topic started by: JonblazeE30 on April 18, 2016, 10:05:23 PM

Title: 1991 318i losing power after startup.
Post by: JonblazeE30 on April 18, 2016, 10:05:23 PM

Hi I'm new to m42s. I need some expert help. I purchased a 91 318i with a blown motor. My friend wrecked his so I bought his healthy m42. I paid someone to swap in the new m42 but half way through the guy disappeared on me. So I was left to finish the job. Everything was left disconnected except the wiring harness and alternator. I put as much of it together to get the engine running. I got to the point to where the engine starts but immediately dies. Friend came over to help and when we checked the cam position sensor, it was dead so we left it unplugged and the engine stayed on for a few seconds. Went and got fresh gas and now the engine runs. Connected the drive shaft and slave cylinder and tried to drive it and it loses power. So what could be the issue now? Will the cam position sensor affect the power or is it something else I'm missing?  Thanks for the help.

Title: Re: 1991 318i losing power after startup.
Post by: Delta on April 18, 2016, 10:37:39 PM

If you still have to cam sensor disconnected, that will cause problems. Replace the sensor and keep trying...

Title: Re: 1991 318i losing power after startup.
Post by: Darky on April 21, 2016, 12:54:20 AM

Car goes into limp mode when you lose a sensor.

Title: Re: 1991 318i losing power after startup.
Post by: JonblazeE30 on April 23, 2016, 05:36:37 PM

Thanks for the feed back. Ordering can sensor. Hopefully that's the only issue left.

Title: Re: 1991 318i losing power after startup.
Post by: JonblazeE30 on May 18, 2016, 10:24:09 PM

Well finally got a new cam sensor and I'm back to square one. Car fires up and immediately dies. I disconnected it and car will run just like it was doing but has no power. What else could it be?

Title: Re: 1991 318i losing power after startup.
Post by: Darky on May 19, 2016, 09:52:14 PM

Reconnect sensor disconnect from battery for a minute, then try again!

Be advised the sensors from e36 m42 and e30 m42 are not necessarily the same.

Title: Re: 1991 318i losing power after startup.
Post by: JonblazeE30 on May 26, 2016, 12:33:32 AM

I've done this twice already and I'm aware of the sensors. Thank you.

Title: Re: 1991 318i losing power after startup.
Post by: locknload on May 28, 2016, 09:32:38 PM

Make sure the fuel supply/return connections aren't swapped.