STARTING ISSUE... Please Help!
 

Here is my situation:

I have a 1989 325is, 230,000 miles. It has been running absolutely fine with no issues. Two days ago I had been driving, and was in a parking lot and stopped to let someone cross in front of me. The car died (no rumble or anything, just shut off like I had turned the key). It would not start back up at all.

Once I got the car back to my house, I replaced the fuel filter, the fuel pump relay and the main relay and the spark plugs.... no change.

I am suspecting the fuel pump, but before I drop the $$ I would really appreciate a second opinion.

When I try to start the car, it turns over fine, it just never fires.

Please help, this is my daily driver. It has had no real problems ever, so this is just frustrating. A local Advance Auto had the fuel pump, but again, just want someone to let me know if I have missed anything.

Thanks!

One way to test the fuel pump is to pull out the FP relay. Look at the pins and find pin 15 or 30 (depends on what you have; pin 15 is HOT when the ignition switch is ON, pin 30 is always HOT) then pin 87. Bridge the 15or30 to the 87 in the slots the relay fits in. If you have 30 you should hear the pump spin, if 15 turn the ig switch to ON then bridge. If you hear it spin then you have a good FP. Another is to just go to the FP and put voltage to one side and ground the other, does it spin.

Also check the grounds, a car with this age and miles gets corrosion on contacts.

go to Control Panel and put your car type in the signature.

Jon

Do a stomp test to see if there are any codes being thrown. Then check to see if your fuses are okay - physically take them out and inspect them one by one, especially the fuel pump fuse.