Engine died and won't start...CE on...

[porsche_virus]

1993 318i, 4 cylinder, 4-door, 5-speed, 133K miles.


Okay, I've read all the posts on here about the engine not starting but it still turns over. Here's what happens: I was driving the car down an on-ramp after a car wash, and the engine died. All electrical still working fine. Check Engine light is on. After a few minutes, car started back up, ran for a minute, then died again. When I put the key in and turn it on, the CE light is on always. The engine turns over, but simply won't fire. Towed it home and performed the following:

Checked for spark, good.
New O2 sensor
New fuel pump relay, and fuel pump fuse is good.
Check engine codes using gas pedal, reading 1444 (okay)
Check engine codes with Peake Research tool...no faults.
Pulled DME wiring harness for 30 minutes.
Tapped on CAT with mallot, nothing loose
Drank beer...good.

Turned key on and listened under the hood...something clicking at the firewall. I looked close and it's coming from what looks like two little solenoids with a 3-wire harness on it, just right of and below the master cylinder. It has two medium-sized black rubber hoses connected to it that go directly into the firewall (heating/ac?) It clicks every 3 seconds. My 325 doesn't make this noise.

Here are my questions. Will a failing/faulty fuel pump(s) show up as a code? Will a faulty crankshaft sensor show up as a code?

I'm guessing it's not the fuel pump because the CE light stays lit before the car starts. On the 325, it goes out after a few seconds.

Any other suggestions not explored here would be much appreciated.

[blkongry]

I'll tell you, my girfriend had nearly the same 318, and after washing the engine off one day I had the same problem. It turned out to be water somewhere in the electrical. It was a quick and easy fix for the shop, but I didn't know where to look. Just food for thought.