Author Topic: e36 wont start (Read 4920 times)

demon510 · « **on:** January 27, 2008, 12:21:03 PM »

It is pretty cold here in dallas and usually when it is really cold out (35* or less) it usually takes a couple of tries to get it going. The other day my wife came home and I went to go put some gas in it and it would start but would only idle if I gave it some gas and it ran really rough when it was at idle, plus the check engine light came on.

I had some free time this morning so I went out and tried to start it and this time it sounded really slugish to turn over, I checked the battery and it was reading 12.09 VDC so I figure I would hook it up to my other car to give it a little more to get it going. Same thing, just turns over and wont start. Tested the voltage at the starter solenoid and that was good, grounds are good, it is getting fuel (pulled the plugs and could smell it).

Anyone think of anything else?

I am going to check the spark in a few minutes after I post this.

demon510 · « **Reply #1 on:** January 27, 2008, 12:34:59 PM »

Checked the spark and it was nice and hot.

demon510 · « **Reply #2 on:** January 27, 2008, 01:03:09 PM »

Just checked the DME relay, turns out it is just a SPDT relay so I swapped it out with one of the many I have laying around and still no go. Then checked the relay with a battery pack to make sure its switching and it is.

demon510 · « **Reply #3 on:** January 27, 2008, 04:07:34 PM »

Cylinder 1 is at 125psi and 2 is at 135psi.

The idle control valve is cleaned and the hoses are in great shape.

Wise Old Dog · « **Reply #4 on:** January 27, 2008, 04:17:12 PM »

125psi is seriously low. Should be 180+. Mine goes 210-215psi after 90K. Squirt some oil in and check all 4. You may have found your problem.

demon510 · « **Reply #5 on:** January 29, 2008, 08:02:32 AM »

Quote from: Wise Old Dog;41793

125psi is seriously low. Should be 180+. Mine goes 210-215psi after 90K. Squirt some oil in and check all 4. You may have found your problem.

I had a little bit of oil in the cylinder already. I am thinking either a stuck valve or valve seals shot.

besides the head possibly shot the starter sounds really slow like a dead battery but the battery is charged. If you let it turn over long enough it almost starts, like its not spinning fast enough.

I also put in a new starter but still has the same symptoms.

nicknikolovski · « **Reply #6 on:** January 30, 2008, 01:32:57 AM »

Hi, you said that the check engine light came on right? Have you tried bringing up any fault codes? I am thinking maybe Crankshaft Position Sensor may be faulty. Also can be an air leak in the system, coolant temp sensor or air flow meter. These can all cause the engine to not start, it will crank but not run. And if it does start, it will run like crap.

Hope this helps, good luck.

demon510 · « **Reply #7 on:** February 05, 2008, 11:14:22 AM »

I checked for air leaks and everything else in creation so I had it towed to the dealership for a diagnostic check. They said it wouldnt start because of the band around the intake tube that connects to the maf was missing. I took this band off when I tried to start it with starter fluid but not till after I had the initial no start problem. They didnt have any clamps (33.00 for the clamp and 1/2 hour in labor = 100.00) so they zip tied it and the car ran fine. The service manager also told me that it was overheating (never had this problem before) I drove it home and it never got really hot just a little bit warmer than normal. Woke up this morning and bleed the system and it was back to normal so far. Now another issue, starting to have a sweet smell out of the exhaust so I think the headgasket is possible leaking. The weird thing is the dealership told me that the headgasket and compression were good (my previous compression readings were low possibly from a cold engine).

demon510 · « **Reply #8 on:** February 05, 2008, 02:23:18 PM »

I take it back, car reaches 3/4 cooling mark but never goes any higher. Tonight I will try and bleed it again then check to see if the lower radiator hose gets hot.