1988/89 730i BMW E32 starting problems

[tubby735]

Hi,

I've recently purchased a 1988/89 730i BMW E32. The problem is it will not start, the engine turns over with no problem and it trys to fire however it just won't start!.

I've check the fuel tank for petrol and its OK.

The fuel pump is buzzing, which tells me its working, there is however a strange buzzing noise come from somewhere around the air intake unit.

another stange thing is the 'service display led' sometime flashes 'Check Control' and the mileage service leds goes out, but return if I turn the key off and back on!

Any ideas

PS: (03-05-05)... I've removed and cleaned the mould from inside the DME unit, when I replaced it I notice that there are two relays beside the unit, I put out the white one and the buzzing from around the air intake stopped.

I took the cover off this relay and tried to start the car again, this is when I noticed that the actual points in the relay would stick together, using my fingernail I opened the points. The buzzing stopped again, try to start the engine, this time it fired up and ran for a couple of minutes before stopping again.

Question 'what is this relay'?

[Bear]

I wiould pull the distrbutor cap and take a look at rotor and cap. These are generally low maintenance items and seldom fail, but one never knows. As to buzzing near air itake, there is a fan for cooling the DME that you may be hearing and the stepper motors (air distribution motors) do buzz as they reset to the default position (we generally hear these in the cockpit at shutdown). I would, if it were me get her scanned (pricey I know, cost me $90 at a dealer on my 750) this is far better than throwing dollars or Euros at her.