Question on BMW 3-Series E36 Fuel Pump

[carnutdallas]

I have replaced the fuel pump and relay 2 times. I have replaced the filter, nothing seems to help. Drive the car 1 minute, 20 minutes, and hour and randomly it will blow the fuse and shut off the pump. I have checked wiring. I have checked resistance. I have rigged up a fuel pressure gauge to drive and watch it for spikes, resistance, hell anything and nothing. No rhyme or reason. Just tool along and "Blammo" - fuse blows. Pull over get out, replace fuse and keep driving until it blows. I have put in larger fuses - yes, that is a no, no but I do not care if it catches fire! It buys me more time. It has to be shorting to ground? I have traced all the wires from pump. I replaced the wire to the pump. I have traced all wires from DME to relays and to pump. Nothing. Not a damn thing.

Any ideas, anything would be greatly appreciated. I do not have the wiring diagram for this car. I have searched online and found cars that are close, but I do not have the actual early production diagram, which I think is different. The fuse does not go straight to the relay. It goes through the DME just from separating and tracing. One wire on fuse goes into car and then under dash and then disappears near column and console, but we lose it. I need to know how it is set up for this car. I think that is my problem, but no idea where the wire goes. Please help. Desperate in Dallas!


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[Nick at Pelican Parts]

I would suggest grabbing a repair manual, it will have the specific wiring for your vehicle. The obvious answer is there is a short in the harness. It will be difficult to locate without the correct wiring.

- Nick