Daughter's car won't start

[rd400racer]

95 325i. We bought it for her about 3 months ago. About 3 weeks ago I go out to get a newspaper and it won't start. Cranks just fine but almost seems like I flooded it. To add to this, when she would first start the car it did not idle real good. But after about a minute or 2 and giving it a little gas it would idle normal.

I figured start with new plugs since who knows how long the others had been in.

I put a new set of Bosch in and the car ran great. Idled perfect from the start. Well, she goes out this morning and can't get it to start. She said that it would turn over but wasn't starting. I was already on my way to work so I wasn't there.

I'm just looking for a starting point here to diagnose. I am going to pick up a new battery at lunchtime just for the hell of it. I figured since the guy put crappy plugs in, it must have a bargain battery too. But something tells me that isn't the problem.

[DJCarbine]

Check for spark/fuel etc.
From there you can begin to diagnose the underlying problem

[Bacender]

I had this issue when my fuel pump shorted out. Car could crank perfectly fine, but nothing after that.

Absolute easiest and first thing to do is check your fuse box for any dead fuses. Off the top of my head, the pump fuse is #18.

[Bjkearns]

fuel pump or fuel filter

no flow=no bueno

[Joshh]

If it is the fuel pump they can work intermittently.

[por911]

If it is anything like our 95 318i, we had similar issue a couple months ago with the fuel system. The fuel pressure regulator failed, so we replaced the pump, filter, relay, and regulator. Check the running and rest pressures. You might also check the spark, as it could be an ignition switch or anti-theft system issues(key chip, ring antenna, etc...).
regards

[chadb08]

i'd start with the fuses first, there's no telling how many problems that's solved for me. i usally do everything else before though and then check fuses as a last resort and that could have save me a lotta time.

[rd400racer]

Got a new relay, car fired right up.

Here's the strange part. The original relay has 4 prongs. The new one has five. I even told the guy (NAPA) that the original has 4. He said this is the one for the car. It's Bosch and the part number on the box (there's 2) is 0332019109 and 0332014135. That does not match the number at Pelican's site.

We'll see how it goes. If this happens again I'll be buying the fuel pump from Pelican.

Thanks for the advice guys.

[JDStrickland]

I'm confused.

You said it cranks fine. Why are you getting a battery if it cranks fine? If it cranked poorly, then you should get a battery, but if it cranks fine, all you will get from a new battery is cranking fine. Seems to be the same thing to me. Just sayin' ...

[rd400racer]

I'm confused.

You said it cranks fine. Why are you getting a battery if it cranks fine? If it cranked poorly, then you should get a battery, but if it cranks fine, all you will get from a new battery is cranking fine. Seems to be the same thing to me. Just sayin' ...

No, I came home at lunch to test the battery and it was fine, so next thing I went to was the relay. Car started with the new relay in. I'm just curious why the relay is different than the one listed on Pelicans site, even though NAPA says its the right one.

[flyfishvt]

You got that relay at NAPA so its more than likey a generic relay that is designed to work in more than one car or more than one relay position. As long as it works don't worry about it. If you really want the absolute correct relay then take a few pics of the old one and send me your address. I have a ton of spares.

[rd400racer]

You got that relay at NAPA so its more than likey a generic relay that is designed to work in more than one car or more than one relay position. As long as it works don't worry about it. If you really want the absolute correct relay then take a few pics of the old one and send me your address. I have a ton of spares.

Thanks very much. That's very nice of you. You guys are the car equivalent of my WERA motorcycle forum gang, which is quite good.

[flyfishvt]

Its a fun group.....most of the time

[King Hax]

thats flyfish for u haha :D

hes basically BF.C's awesome version of Dumbledor. he's been around since the first e21s, he has magic advise that usually turns out to be true despite a few doubts, and he gives out free parts because his backyard is an old BMW castle.

flyfish doesnt have a chin. under his beard, he has another clutch master cylinder. :stickoutt