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Registered
Join Date: Nov 2002
Location: Burke, Virginia
Posts: 73
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93 325i Starting Problem
Just got a 93 325i a couple weeks ago for a daily driver. First BMW I've had since a couple 2002s back in the 70s. The engine turns over fine, it's getting fuel, but won't fire. Is there a common problem that would cause this? I was thining maybe DME relay ( a problem I've encountered on my Carrera) but a friend said that the BMWs don't have that problem like the Porsches. Any ideas?
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10-27-2008, 10:24 AM
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Not much to go on but the most common cause would be the crank position sensor, CPS.
__________________
HPDE Instructor (BMW / PCA / Apex) Here: 1997 M3/4 Byzanz/Magma ~ 2006 Yamaha R6 ~ 1997 R1100RT ~ 1991 Ford F-150 5.8l ~ 2015 Kia Optima Gone: 2001 330i Silver/Grey ~ 98 Camry V6 ~ 97 Camry I4 ~ 97 Mazda 626 I4 ~ 93 Sentra SE-R ~ 88 Toyota Truck I4 |
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10-27-2008, 12:13 PM
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Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: Sacramento CA
Posts: 1,147
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Did you wash the engine? The place in the firewall where the DME is located is NOT waterproof.
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10-27-2008, 06:21 PM
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In the shop at Pelican
Join Date: Aug 2002
Location: Los Angeles, CA
Posts: 10,459
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You can also check the coolant temp sender in the thermostat housing. This will prevent the car from starting.
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11-14-2008, 11:01 AM
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Location: Burke, Virginia
Posts: 73
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It turned out to be the DME, which once replaced the car runs great...good point on the coolant sensor, the computer tells me that coolant is low, but it's not, so I did get a new sensor, will install it over the weekend.
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11-21-2008, 07:17 AM
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Registered
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: Sacramento CA
Posts: 1,147
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A computer that indicates low coolant level does not necessarily mean the coolant level sensor in the overflow tank is bad. From what I have been able to glean, more often it means that there is air in the coolant system. Small surges in the overflow tank resulting from air in the system seem to be enough to move the float which triggers a low coolant warning.
I have replaced sensors and repeatedly bled my cooling systems and I still get low coolant warnings on both my e36s. I give up. I am ready to bypass the sensor. |
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11-21-2008, 05:58 PM
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Low coolant message is usually caused by an internally broken expansion tank.
__________________
HPDE Instructor (BMW / PCA / Apex) Here: 1997 M3/4 Byzanz/Magma ~ 2006 Yamaha R6 ~ 1997 R1100RT ~ 1991 Ford F-150 5.8l ~ 2015 Kia Optima Gone: 2001 330i Silver/Grey ~ 98 Camry V6 ~ 97 Camry I4 ~ 97 Mazda 626 I4 ~ 93 Sentra SE-R ~ 88 Toyota Truck I4 |
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11-25-2008, 04:32 PM
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Registered
Join Date: Nov 2002
Location: Burke, Virginia
Posts: 73
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Jeron thanks, If replacing the sensor and flushing the coolant system doesn't fix it, I'll get a new expansion tank.
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11-30-2008, 04:40 PM
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1997 BMW M3 3.2L I6
