Author Topic: M42 won't start? (Read 6090 times)

1991 318is · « **on:** February 21, 2008, 08:55:03 PM »

well my car sat in my garage on blocks all winter and i just did some work to it like shocks struts and stereo and stuff, nothing to affect the motor. but i did take off the valve cover and mani, and painted them, put it back on and changed the oil with 20-50 and changed the coolant. had been charging the batt on and off all winter so i know thats ok. so it turns over fine, and when i turn on the key there is a click click click from something under the hood, i think this is normal. i smell gas after awhile, and it did kinda make a little back fire once(think i flooded it) and i can hear it almost start a few times but it just wont. left it for a day with the charger on it, still wont fire. i am going over all the stuff i was taking on and off and its all good, except i did not check the plugs they might be the problem i hope so. any one have any ideas? O one more question when i put the key on should i hear the fuel pump kick in for a sec? i don't remember if it did before or not.

kowalski · « **Reply #1 on:** February 22, 2008, 12:28:24 AM »

check the plugs, if you smell fuel, fuel isn't your problem.

nicknikolovski · « **Reply #2 on:** February 22, 2008, 03:17:17 AM »

turn the key to +ve on position, and listen for the fuel pump to hum as it is priming. Maybe even cycle the ignition on and off a couple to build the fuel pressure, then give a crank. check the battery voltage as well - don't assume that the battery is charged because batteries are strange things that can fail. Maybe even try jump starting the car using a jumper battery pack. keep us posted, and good luck

1991 318is · « **Reply #3 on:** February 22, 2008, 02:28:41 PM »

i pulled the plugs out they should be changed then ill go from there. ill let you guys know later tonight.

thanks for the help.

1991 318is · « **Reply #4 on:** February 22, 2008, 05:26:41 PM »

ok well the new plugs are better so it kinda backfired again and blew out all the gas that was in it. thought it was going to start but it wont. getting closer but wont go. then i was like its not getting gas it cant be. it only had gas because i was cranking on it for ever. and the pump is NOT kicking in when the key turns on. worked a few months ago. so is it just stuck from sitting? what should i do?

1991 318is · « **Reply #5 on:** February 22, 2008, 07:05:23 PM »

just was reading my bmw 3 series service manual, and it showed how to test the relay and it was all ok tell i tested for a ground its not getting a ground. from what i then read in the book it goes back to the ECM not letting it get a ground so not letting it give power to the fuel pump. a pics of what i did...... unless i tested the wrong relay.

1991 318is · « **Reply #6 on:** February 22, 2008, 08:31:24 PM »

and i was just told that 1991 318is does not prime.....

beegeezy · « **Reply #7 on:** February 22, 2008, 08:49:12 PM »

my 91 318i doesnt prime. the fuel pump starts when the engine starts cranking.

1991 318is · « **Reply #8 on:** February 22, 2008, 10:01:25 PM »

ok maybe it is getting gas hummmm.... why is it not starting?

nicknikolovski · « **Reply #9 on:** February 22, 2008, 10:44:47 PM »

ok then maybe the fuel pump works different for different cars. I got a 93 318is E36 and when i turn the key to on position, i can hear the pump switching on. maybe priming was the wrong word.

Another test you could do is a fuel quantity test and also a pressure test, maybe there's not a enough pressure to start the engine.

1991 318is · « **Reply #10 on:** February 23, 2008, 06:19:41 AM »

ya maybe the filter is like clogged up i never changed it ill take it off and put the line in a bucket see if it pumps at all.

RED IS 91 · « **Reply #11 on:** February 23, 2008, 06:23:35 AM »

that is not the fuel pump relay location.
It's under the the black cap on the fire wall .There should be three relays and I believe it's the center one .You should hear a click from the relay when you turn the key to the on postition.If you don't hear a click then you can jump the relay (pins 30+87)to see if your fuel pump starts.If you jump the relay and the fuel pump doesn't start then you'll have to check the pump. With a volt meter see if you have 12 volts to the pump with the key in the on position.
Also do a code check and see what you come up with.

MarkD · « **Reply #12 on:** February 23, 2008, 11:08:22 AM »

Quote from: 1991 318is;43290

changed the oil with 20-50

Did you really put 20-50 in there in the low temps ( -5C / 24F) you are having now? :eek: That's not the correct oil for these temperatures.

The DME does not enable the spark untill a minimum rpm is reached and your motor may not be spinning fast enough to get to that rpm before the plugs foul. Now it may not be the cause of your no start, but I'd definitely put the proper oil in before proceeding.

MarkD

1991 318is · « **Reply #13 on:** February 23, 2008, 03:02:05 PM »

i'm not driving the car tell summer so the oil is ok and its in my heated garage thats never gets close to 0. any way i disconected the batt for over 15min today thought it might clear the computer or something, and it did because it works now i also had the batter charger on it. but i think i'm going to do the timing chain so allot of it will be apart again. jsut not sure if i want to do it or get a shop to.

nicknikolovski · « **Reply #14 on:** February 23, 2008, 05:59:27 PM »

ok so, the car started up? So it was the battery not being charged all along?