Author Topic: Car Wont start (Read 4139 times)

bih55 · « **on:** February 25, 2012, 11:56:53 AM »

the other day i was driving my 93 BMW 318is. it was running fine. then after few miles the engine dies on me. tried starting it back but no luck. its getting spark and fuel. turns over but doesnt want to start. I get the code 1262 from the stomp test.

DesktopDave · « **Reply #1 on:** February 25, 2012, 02:05:12 PM »

Code 1262 is the ICV, I think. Check the wiring, use a 9v battery on the terminals...some TB cleaner, rubbing alcohol, PB Blaster, might do the job. They tend to get gunked up with blow-by motor oil or the actuator coil shorts out.

The early e36 also had the infamous 'wet DME' problem. You have fuel & spark, so that's unlikely, but I'd make sure you did the drain mod on the firewall.

bih55 · « **Reply #2 on:** February 26, 2012, 11:59:44 PM »

is that the Idle Control Valve? and how do I hook up this 9V battery to the terminals. if I hold down the gas padle while starting. the engine makes this weird backfire noises. like air coming from the engine:confused:

Wrench · « **Reply #3 on:** February 27, 2012, 06:36:49 AM »

Check all the rubber air hoses under and around the intake. If it backfired through the intake, it's possible that a hose came off. Check the hoses connected to the ICV as well. They can crack with age and leak causing a no run situation.

DesktopDave · « **Reply #4 on:** February 27, 2012, 06:57:05 AM »

Yep, idle control valve. You should be able to feel it buzzing while the key is on. Those hoses have a tendency to crack like Wrench said too - especially under the intake manifold in that rat's nest of coolant & vac hoses.

I cut up an old smoke detector to get the 9v battery pigtail, put a new battery on in & stripped a bit of the wires. Just touch the bare leads to the terminals & look if the little door inside the top of the valve spins.

bih55 · « **Reply #5 on:** March 24, 2012, 11:09:32 AM »

hey guys.I did try everything you said but still no luck. alot of people said it might be the timing chain. could I do a compression test or how would I check

DesktopDave · « **Reply #6 on:** March 24, 2012, 04:49:23 PM »

You can pull the cover off the top of the motor and check the cam timing that way. Can you get the car to TDC?

A compression test would work too, either way. Just make sure you get a long extension for the gauge...those plugs are a ways down those bores.

bih55 · « **Reply #7 on:** March 28, 2012, 11:06:44 AM »

whats TDC?

DesktopDave · « **Reply #8 on:** March 28, 2012, 12:49:21 PM »

TDC=Top Dead Center. It's when cylinder #1 (closest to radiator) is at the top of the power stroke, thus all intake & exhaust valves are closed on that cylinder. Beware though...there are two times each piston is at the top of the cylinder...TDC and the top of the exhaust stroke.

So when the motor is at TDC, and you're looking from the front of the motor towards the rear, you should see the two front intake and exhaust cam lobes pointing up and slightly towards each other. There are also two 'squares' cast into the rear of the cams...the 'flats' of those have to be level with the surface of the cylinder head. Before doing any timing chain work, those two flats should be locked into that position.

There's a lot of good info about replacing a cam chain at Brendan Purcell's excellent site here. There's an excellent pic of what a correctly timed motor looks like most of the way down...or click this link. I know you can't see your motor like that since the chain case is in the way, but it'll give you an idea of what you should see.

deansweet · « **Reply #9 on:** March 29, 2012, 07:53:42 PM »

wow, that pic you posted stating it was an excellent picture is an understatement.
It is exactly what you need to see how it all lines up on top. Not nearly that clear in the guides I was using when I replaced the head gasket.

bih55 · « **Reply #10 on:** May 08, 2012, 11:44:07 PM »

It was the Crankshaft Position Sensor:mad:
mechanics that came to look at it said it was a broken or jumped timing chain:rolleyes:

deansweet · « **Reply #11 on:** May 09, 2012, 05:37:42 AM »

so they replaced that and all was good?
Thanks for the update.

colin86325 · « **Reply #12 on:** May 09, 2012, 07:18:22 AM »

Quote from: bih55;112428

It was the Crankshaft Position Sensor:mad:
mechanics that came to look at it said it was a broken or jumped timing chain:rolleyes:

Time for a new mechanic!