Author Topic: 93' 318is cranks but wont fire, help..... (Read 7271 times)

topless25 · « **Reply #15 on:** June 26, 2009, 03:50:07 PM »

well i've picked up a new CPS from the dealers today, did a resistance test on it to see what it would read, 522 the same as the one thats on the car!
will try and get to the unit tomorrow and fit it but i'm not hopefull it will work as the readings are the same.

topless25 · « **Reply #16 on:** June 28, 2009, 05:57:42 AM »

update time, fitted the new CPS and it still wont fire, i expected this as the new sensor tested the same as the old one but i hoped it was that.
had a look at the clocks and is has the 'CHECK' light at the bottom near the middle but it doesnt illuminate anytime, i replaced the bulb but it still doesnt illuminate at any point, could this be my problem and is there anywhere else in the circuit that can cause this not to work? anything on the ribbon board inside the clocks maybe?

DesktopDave · « **Reply #17 on:** June 28, 2009, 10:18:19 AM »

I don't know if your DME can blink a CEL. IIRC Euro cars didn't have that. If the car can blink codes, it'll never do it if the DME is dead or isn't getting power. I don't think that the e36 has a fusible link like the e30 dies. Yours is too early for the EWS garbage too.

You might have to check out the wiring harness...even though the CPS and pump are still good, the wires might have an intermittent contact.

keflaman · « **Reply #18 on:** June 28, 2009, 10:19:22 AM »

Quote from: topless25;74421

update time, fitted the new CPS and it still wont fire, i expected this as the new sensor tested the same as the old one but i hoped it was that.
had a look at the clocks and is has the 'CHECK' light at the bottom near the middle but it doesnt illuminate anytime, i replaced the bulb but it still doesnt illuminate at any point, could this be my problem and is there anywhere else in the circuit that can cause this not to work? anything on the ribbon board inside the clocks maybe?

Well...a spare CPS is always good to have on hand:o Sorry

Reviewing this thread I don't see where you visually confirmed the presence, or lack of spark at the plug.

DesktopDave · « **Reply #19 on:** June 28, 2009, 10:41:45 AM »

Does the e36/m42 have one crank sensor or two?

topless25 · « **Reply #20 on:** June 28, 2009, 11:29:14 AM »

i presumed it has one, only one visable at the front of the engine.

@keflaman... i have removed a plug and earthed it on the block and done a crank test, no spark.
the fuel pump doesnt prime on ignition or run when cranking but it will run if i jump the contacts but it only returns the fuel to the tank indicating no injector pulse when cranked.

DesktopDave · « **Reply #21 on:** June 28, 2009, 01:12:07 PM »

Good call Keflaman...I'm such a noob, always looking for the difficult problem instead of the easy one.

Maybe the DME/ECU isn't getting power or is defective? The DME will spark if the CPS is defective but not if it has power. Test the main relay. You're using a code reader though, so I figured it was working.

keflaman · « **Reply #22 on:** June 28, 2009, 02:27:58 PM »

Quote from: topless25;74430

i presumed it has one, only one visable at the front of the engine.

@keflaman... i have removed a plug and earthed it on the block and done a crank test, no spark.
the fuel pump doesnt prime on ignition or run when cranking but it will run if i jump the contacts but it only returns the fuel to the tank indicating no injector pulse when cranked.

Dave's suggestion to check the CPS wiring sounds spot on.

I'd go back to timing/ignition if the wiring inspection yields no results.

You have the E36 manual? http://www.maxbimmer.com/forums/show....php?p=1278645

topless25 · « **Reply #23 on:** June 28, 2009, 03:33:00 PM »

cam and crank timing is spot on, i thought that to be the problem initially seen as how it jumped a few teeth then stalled, allowing fuel to be forced up the inlet manifold indicating the engine timing was out or the valves we're bent, a compression test indicated no valve damage so i thought the timing might of been slightly out making the crank and cam sensors misaligned, so i reset the timing again taking into account the tensioner, got it spot on, still wont fire, next step was maybe pull the intake off and check the wiring (as stated) for the sensors underneath.

topless25 · « **Reply #24 on:** July 09, 2009, 03:11:46 PM »

well i have now checked the wiring and nothing visibly wrong, i ran continuity tests on the wiring looms for the crank and cam sensors in the casing under the inlet and those are fine, i have checked all hoses and connections and those are fine, i stripped the timing casing down and locked the crank at TDC via the flywheel locking position, then checked the position of the cams and the timing is still 100% bang on the mark!
the engine has good compression and cranks easily but still wont fire, could this be a faulty ECU?
when the car originally broke down it died first, my friend then tried to start it again resulting in flooding the engine with fuel, this can only indicate a slip/jump in the timing chain, i presumed this to be the cause of the car cutting out as the crank and cam sensors would not be in sync, a possible fail safe fron bmw perhaps?
but after re-checking these and knowing both sensors are not faulty (crank sensor being new and cam sensor testing at 1200ohms) i have no idea whats causing the non start.
the check engine light doesnt work on the e36 unless you have check control i think, and the stomp test results in nothing at all.
going to try and get a diagnostic on it tomorrow but im not hopeful on this coming up with anything.

topless25 · « **Reply #25 on:** July 24, 2009, 11:47:05 AM »

anyone know if the bosch DME with number 0261 200 590 will work in place of the bosch 0261 200 950 DME??

Jtuner · « **Reply #26 on:** July 25, 2009, 02:10:10 PM »

I know my situation is WAY off from yours, BUT maybe it can make you feel better about replacing an ECU..
I was having a random misfire issue on my #4 cylinder.. Replaced plugs, then replaced the coil (e30 w/COP conversion).. Still had the misfire.. I checked everything under the sun, vac leaks, hoses, wiring, you name it..
Did the stomp test for codes and found 1444 which is no codes.. So I went straight to the ECU hoping that it would be the issue and sure enough it was..
After reading your post and seeing that there is no CEL illuminating, that would worry me unless like you guys said, the early model e36s dont have one? But I wouldn't imagine bmw making a car without some way to tell you your shit is blowing up...... ANYWAYS, that's where I would go,, maybe borrow a know good ECM from a buddy and give it a shot.. You may even throw up a post on here and see if any members in your area have a known good you can try..
I'll slosh around this info and see if my little brain can think of anything else it could be,, honestly it sounds like you're doing everything legit and correct,, taking the right steps etc... You got a bastard on your hands, I say good luck to you sir!

topless25 · « **Reply #27 on:** July 28, 2009, 03:45:07 PM »

well after gathering a lot of info from various places and speaking to the owner of the car again it turns out that the DME had been flooded with water after the car had gone through the car wash!
it caused the DME to live up on its own, opening the injectors and running the pump constantly, long enough to dump �30 worth of fuel out the air intake!i carried out lots of tests to narrown this down to the DME befoer looking to buy a replacement.
i recieved another DME today on the grounds i could return it if it didnt work as its numbers didnt exactly match the ones on the original, it worked instantly without any issues, still doesnt have a 'check' light though, weird!
thanks for all the help guys, this ones been very educational to say the least but its done now and my mate will get it back tomorrow.
another very good source for info is a website called justanswer.com , plenty of trained BMW techs on there that are ready to help, it costs a little but worth it in the end as its way cheaper than the local dealers!

topless25 · « **Reply #28 on:** July 28, 2009, 03:49:23 PM »

Quote from: DesktopDave;73406

I can't even guess what would cause that. The only time I've seen anything like that is a stuck carb float. The big problem with early e36s is the flooded DME compartment. Happens especially after heavy rains and high-pressure car washes. That little plenum drain on the passenger side firewall gets clogged and the ECU does all sorts of weird things. Check that first, it's pretty common. After that, I'd start chasing down the pump/spark issue.

i should have focused more on this at the start. but due to the length of time that had passed between me getting the car and the time it broke down, the DME area had dried up nicely.

DesktopDave · « **Reply #29 on:** July 28, 2009, 04:06:00 PM »

They're famous for that, those early e36's. That's always the first question I ask...had a high-pressure car wash recently? Heavy rain?

Then I ask about the crank position sensor. Finally the relays. That's 95% of the problems. If it isn't one of those I'm giving up...unless it's a head gasket or perished vac hose.

Author Topic: 93' 318is cranks but wont fire, help..... (Read 7271 times)

topless25

93' 318is cranks but wont fire, help.....

topless25

93' 318is cranks but wont fire, help.....

DesktopDave

93' 318is cranks but wont fire, help.....

keflaman

Sorry About That

DesktopDave

93' 318is cranks but wont fire, help.....

topless25

93' 318is cranks but wont fire, help.....

DesktopDave

93' 318is cranks but wont fire, help.....

keflaman

"kiss"

topless25

93' 318is cranks but wont fire, help.....

topless25

93' 318is cranks but wont fire, help.....

topless25

93' 318is cranks but wont fire, help.....

Jtuner

93' 318is cranks but wont fire, help.....

topless25

93' 318is cranks but wont fire, help.....

topless25

93' 318is cranks but wont fire, help.....

DesktopDave

93' 318is cranks but wont fire, help.....