Author Topic: Engine wont start  (Read 2233 times)

91slowm42

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Engine wont start
« on: March 10, 2008, 11:51:06 AM »
So about two months ago I had a problem with a cracked front subframe.  Its the second time it has happened to me.  The passenger side motor mount breaks off the subframe.  I had urethane mounts and am pretty sure this is what was causing the problem so I replaced the subframe and returned back to factory mounts.  In the process I decided I would also fix my crazy idle problem by replacing the intake manifold gasket which led to me just going crazy with cleaning and replacing and since i have my M5 to drive around I thought I just might fix it right regardless of how long it would take.  So now I  have been working on my car for the last 2 months trying to clean up the engine compartment and get ride of as much of the yellow SH*T BMW insisted on pouring out all over the motor to prevent corrosion during the journey across the Atlantic.  

I also removed the intake and replaced all the crazy amount of hoses.  Painted the upper and lower intake manifold as well as the valve cover.  Replaced the front timing cover gaskets, upper and lower oil pan gaskets,  timing chain tensioner, painted the pulleys, put on a new water pump, replaced the o-rings for the fuel injectors and replaced all the coolant hoses.    I will post some pictures to show how clean it looks.  Oh as a side note in order to remove that yellow stuff use a product called Auto Strip from Auto Zone.  Works like a charm.

Now to the problem.  Last night I went to start the car and got absolutely nothing.  Just some clicking from the starter relay.  I then realized that the gauges in the car were going crazy so I looked for some kind of electrical problem.  Turns out i didn't put the ground wire between the frame the motor back on by the passenger side motor mount.  So I attached it to the frame and then to one of the bolts for the AC unit.  Went to start the car and it turned over just fine, but wouldn't start.  I checked the spark on all the cylinder and it was fine.  Took the fuel lines off and there was plenty of pressure present.  Now I am lost as to how to diagnose the problem and find out why it won't actually start.  Is there some way to check that the fuel injectors are actually spraying fuel?  Could I have knocked the timing out by taking the harmonic dampener off and rotating the engine without the tensioner in place?   How could I check that it is timed right still?  Could putting the ground wire on the ac bolt rather then the engine motor mount bracket cause some kind of electrical issues? Any advice would be appreciated.  

Cobra Jet

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Engine wont start
« Reply #1 on: March 10, 2008, 07:22:53 PM »
Well, to start off -

When you turn the key "on", do you hear the electric fuel pump prime at all?  With almost any EFI vehicle, if the fuel pump is working, you should be able to hear the distinct fuel pump "whine" when the car is first turned "on" prior to actually starting it.  The pump whine is due to the pump priming the fuel system.  If you do not hear that whine from the fuel pump, then usually the pump is dead and needs to be replaced.  I would check to see if the fuel pump is functional first.

Have you checked all of you other grounds and/or wires that you may have disconnected?  Go over all or any wires you may have had disconnected and be sure you did not forget to plug in a connector, etc.  It's possible something was overlooked.

Have you tested the coil packs for spark?

Are you getting spark at the end of each spark plug wire?

Does the battery have enough voltage to start the car - not just turn it over, but to actually start it?

Have you checked for any codes yet?  The crank & cam sensors if bad will also prevent the vehicle from starting.  Did you mess around w/ those wires or sensors at all?
« Last Edit: March 10, 2008, 07:25:41 PM by Cobra Jet »
- Phil
1994 Cobra coupe #0013
2011 Genesis Coupe
2011 Tucson GLS

RED IS 91

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Engine wont start
« Reply #2 on: March 11, 2008, 04:15:47 AM »
Check out towards the bottom of the newsletter,there is a no start check list .Do all that and report back.

http://www.bavauto.com/newsletter/2007_n407_newsletter.pdf
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