94 325ic that will not start

aarongaria · 11-28-2006, 06:19 AM

Hi to all

Have a 94 325ic that will not start. I started it the other morning; it ran for 3-4 seconds and died. Now it cranks but won’t start. Pulled the back seat, fuel pump is working; plugs are wet and smell like gas when I pull them after cranking so I think I’m getting fuel to cylinders, although I have no way to pressure test.
OBD 1 gas pedal test comes up 1444 every time (no fault).
After reading posts yesterday about wet DME problems on 92-95 models, I cracked that open as I had washed the car last week (by hand) but it was desert dry (a few crumbling leaves and bug carcasses, no moisture had been in there for a long time, if ever) so no luck there.
I followed Bentley procedures for testing fuel pump relay and DME relay with a multimeter and I think they are ok (Bentley is a little vague on this, not sure if these tests work with car not running, but ignition was on).
I’m thinking there is no spark at plugs, but am unsure how to test without frying the car or me. Should I do the old-fashioned pull the plug and ground it and look for a spark? Bentley says to pull wire off the coil and check for voltage from one of the pins in the connector to ground, but once again doesn’t say if the car needs be on, or held in the start position or what. Replaced the water pump a month ago, crank sensor is in that vicinity, I thought maybe it might be that, since I was messing about down there, but it ran fine for a month after pump was replaced and it seems to me that would have given me an OBD fault. I can’t get any help locally as I am in rural SE Ohio, the land of pick-ups and gun racks, closest dealer (god forbid) is 1.5 hours away.
Any suggestions, ideas, chants, or prayers would be appreciated.

BMWCowboy · 11-28-2006, 05:20 PM

Sounds like cam sensor~~>will car run if stay on gas???>>Or no fire at all??

aarongaria · 11-28-2006, 06:58 PM

It cranks, but won't run at all. I have voltage at coils with iginition on (checked that tonight). Is there away to test cam sensor? I see a resistance test for crank sensor in the bentley but no cam sensor test, just replacement instructions
Thanks

aarongaria · 12-09-2006, 11:10 AM

Ok, here is an update, still won't start, here is what I have done;

I have replaced both the crank and the cam sensors. I have replaced main DME relay, I have visually verified spark while cranking. Fuel pump is running, fuel pump relay tests ok. After cranking, if I remove a spark plug they are wet with gas.

Engine cranks, does not even attempt to fire. The OBD1 check engine flashes 1444 (no fault every time).
I am running out of ideas....anybody have any?

Scott
94 325ic

BMWCowboy · 12-09-2006, 12:23 PM

Check fuel pressure~>might be gettn gas but not enuff~~>remove the fuel line into inj rail & ck. also ck battery cables 4 tightness & ck DME main ground. Have seen these keep car from starting....also may have dried out the cyl~~>pour small amount of oil in thru spark plug holes & then try 2 crank

aarongaria · 12-10-2006, 02:39 PM

OK guys, it is now running.

Took "cowboy's" advice: took off fuel line above filter, attached a long hose, and cranked; got good fuel flow. Put hose back on, cranked, and it tried to start. Took out plugs, they were soaked. Cleaned and dried them, added a couple drops of oil (per cowboy's suggestion) and it started right up.
Now I'm not quite sure why it is running.....
Might have been the crank sensor I replaced Saturday (should have tested at 1280 Ohms per Bentley, but it was reading only 400 Ohms) and the plugs were by then too fouled to run from trying to start it unsuccessfully over a couple weeks.
Or maybe there was something "locked up" in the fuel line that opening and draining fixed.
Heck maybe it was just "cowboys" drops of oil, thanks cowboy!