Author Topic: Rainy Day Issue (Read 2525 times)

mbran028 · « **on:** March 29, 2009, 09:52:54 PM »

I've got a 92 318is so heres the problem: A while back I took it through a car wash and somehow water started pouring in under the dash on the passenger side of the car. The engine died and wouldnt restart; it just kept cranking over but wouldnt fire. Then the fule pump wouldnt cut off and was pushing fuel out of the intake. After it dried out, it would only fire on three cylinders so the ECU was replaced and ran fine. Now when it rains the car acts up again. It sometimes wont start; just cranks and eventually will fire, shake violently, and stall. After it does that it will fire up fine but run rough until it warms up. Also if I am driving and catch a decent size puddle of water(mainly with my passenger side front tire) it will cause the car to shake violently, stutter, have no ability to accelerate, eventually stall out, and not restart for a few minutes and once it has it just repeats the problem until it dries out.
The ECU doesnt seem to be getting wet so I am stumped. Any help or ideas would greatly appreciated.

bmwman91 · « **Reply #1 on:** March 30, 2009, 12:44:01 AM »

Maybe it is getting into the fuse box & shorting something important the ECU is connected to? I know that on the E30, the leaky passenger footwell problem comes from a plugged drain snout for the vents under the windshield. I don't know if the E36 has one as well. On the E30, it is a plastic/rubber hose thing up on the firewall. A screwdriver can usually knock the crap out. Good luck!

1991 E30 M42 · « **Reply #2 on:** March 30, 2009, 05:46:25 PM »

mbran028 happens to be someone that I know from school and didn't realize that he was having issues. I spoke with him and looked at the car today and think that the crank position sensor could be the culprit. the sheathing around the wires is separated from the sensor itself.

Jimmy Lewis · « **Reply #3 on:** March 30, 2009, 06:54:56 PM »

Now that makes a lot more sense to me over the coil issue you guys thought it was. I would get that bish wet and check the ohmage, it should be 1200 I believe.

1991 E30 M42 · « **Reply #4 on:** March 31, 2009, 12:37:20 AM »

I think Hoss told him about the COP kit, but anyway, for the next step i would agree, get things wet and check them with a multimeter