Starting problems on a 1992 325i

[starcraft]

Hey guys this is my first post on the website. Anyway I am having a bit of a problem getting my 1992 325i 4 door to turn on. What happened originally was that I was driving (or being pushed by the machine) through a car wash when the car started to sputter out. I somewhat panicked at the time and immediately shut the car off. When I got out of the car wash (I had to push it at the end) it wouldnt start. I was hoping that water just got up the tailpipe somehow and was choking out the engine, so I let it sit for a day. However, there was no luck in starting it the next day either.
What was happening with the car was that the thing wouldnt even come close to starting. I would attempt to turn it on and it showed no signs of kicking over (as if there wasnt any gas in it and/or no spark). (there was plenty of battery power and the starter was working correctly as far as I know) Finally, I bought a can of starting fluid and sprayed it directly into the intake (thinking that the fuel pump went out). The car tried to start, but only got as far as a few sputters here and there. After that, I took out the spark plug one by one and cleaned them. Again, only a few sputters. However one thing that I do notice when I try to turn it on is that there is a strange sparking noise come from the fuse box afterwards. All of the fuses are in tact..... however it sounds like they are blowing. I think it may be the car alarm preventing the car from starting although I thought the system was disengaged. Can anyone point me in the right direction? Is there a way to test whether or not the alarm system is causing this (I'm not even sure if the systems back then prevented cars from starting)? Could it be something else? I am not anywhere near a mechanic so please be as simple as possible haha. Thanks in advance.

[bimmer4ever]

Sounds like you have a bad fuel pump. Remove your rear seat (bottom piece), crank the car and listen for the pump to activate. If not sure, hot wire the pump w/the car off and listen.

If you have spark and fuel pressure then check the DME for water or humidity. Good luck and welcome.

[starcraft]

Thanks for the help. This might sound stupid, but what is the DME and where do I find it. I am only familiar with the basics of these cars so please bare with me.

[bimmer4ever]

This first link will show you the location of the DME. Click here!!! (http://www.pelicanparts.com/bmw/techarticles/Mult_Chip_Install/Mult_Chip_Install.htm)

This will show you to check your DME for water problems. H E R E !!! (http://www.pelicanparts.com/bmw/techarticles/E36-DME-Repair/E36-DME-Repair.htm)

[bimmerE36freak]

Is there any resistance when you turn the key? If not than it's your ignition switch/tumbler. 2 weeks after I bought my 92' 325i it went out. $630 later it's up and running.

[starcraft]

Hey guys thanks for the replies. I removed the DME from the car and am letting it dry out for a while. It did not seem wet, however I didnt remove it until about three days after the car wash. I am not sure of what sound I am listening for from the fule pump. I do hear a click if i turn the key slowly just before reaching the point where the ignition kicks in. As for having resistence in the key........ it just feels the same as it always did. I havnt tried putting the DME back into the car yet but I would be grateful for any more suggestions. Thanks for the time.

[Igs007]

Rather than starting a new thread I thought I would jump into this one. I have read a lot of related threads, but the issue that starcraft is dealing with seems to be the most germain to one that I am dealing with.
I have a 95 325I, it started and ran fine everytime I used it until about two days ago. It worked in the morning, but not in the afternoon, and not since. When I turn the key, all the lights come on and the starter motor does everything that it has always done, but it just doesn't catch and turn the engine over and start up.
The battery is new as of two months ago, and I replaced the coil packs, boots and plugs a month ago. There is enough gas in the tank to start the engine, and according to the onboard computer run for 52 miles.
So what might it be?
Starcraft, was the issue your DME?
If I take out the rear seat to diagnose the fuel pump how can I test it to see if it works correctly?
Thanks for your help in advance.

[Igs007]

I just spoke with a friend of mine about my starting issue. He suggested that i look into the fuel filter. I read some of the threads, sounds like it will be a pain in the neck to change.
None of the threads that I read spoke to the possability that a clogged fuel filter would lead to car not starting, any ideas?

[1997bmw328]

wow, i had a similair problem but my starter is dieing because the soleniod is done =[

[325iklu]

if it ran before the car wash, and didnt after the car wash. 99% chance the DME got wet and its fried.

locate a local member with another 92 325i, WITH THE SAME NUMBER DME.
9/91-8/92
0 261 200 402

thru 8/91
0 261 200 403

[Tefal]

When I turn the key, all the lights come on and the starter motor does everything that it has always done, but it just doesn't catch and turn the engine over and start up.
The battery is new as of two months ago
So what might it be?
Starcraft, was the issue your DME?
If I take out the rear seat to diagnose the fuel pump how can I test it to see if it works correctly?
Thanks for your help in advance.
so the engine doesnt turn over? if the engine isnt turning but the starter is making a noise then the starter is knackered,busted,broke :)

[miatawnt2b]

you DME is probably toast. Hopefully just drying it out will fix it.
Happened to me... it sucks, but you can usually get replacements on ebay pretty cheap.

-J

[thrylos98]

yeap... sounds like the DMW got wet... Never trust automatic car washes with an E36

[Igs007]

so the engine doesnt turn over? if the engine isnt turning but the starter is making a noise then the starter is knackered,busted,broke :)

How can you be sure? I'm not trying to call you out, but if I'm going to buy a new starter I'd like to know that that will solve the problem. :dunno

[starcraft]

Hey guys thanks for the help. As it turns out it was my DME the entire time. I simply let the thing sit in front of a sunny window for a couple of days, put it back in the car and that was it. Great......well not quite. Unfortunately there is another problem. Now that thing is running again the check engine light (for the emission electronics) stays on. I knew it was against my better judgement, but I had let the guy who worked at the car wash spray starter fluid into the intake to see if the cars fuel pump had went. I now know, after reading the manual, that this should never be done. Does anyone have any idea what this jerk did to my car. I would appreciate the help.

[starcraft]

Can anyone tell me where to start????? Thanks

[miatawnt2b]

you need to check the codes... does the car run ok?

On a side note you are lucky. You should take the cowl cover off the car and clean that cowl drain... else it's going to happen again during a rainstorm and you aren't going to be so lucky as too drying out the DME and having it work again.

-J

[starcraft]

Where do I clean out in the engine to prevent the DME from getting wet again??

As for the way the car runs, it now bogs when I give it a small amount of gas. Also, there is a hesitation if I punch the gas. I know that these are signs of a broken MAF. Do you think I should try to clean it out with MAF cleaner? The starter fluid had lubricity so I think it might be coating the wires of the MAF. Also, I am still not sure as to if breaking the MAF will cause the emissions light to come. I did some research and I have found that repeat starting without actually having the engine turn over will break the catalytic converter because of the gas build up. Please tell me this isnt true. I AM SERIOUSLY REGRETTING THIS CAR WASH!!!!!

[Baseline]

I would suggest that you begin with a good quality code reader and reset tool like a Peak or one you can obtain from bavauto.com. I suspect that you have damage to the DME from the water infiltration as it is possible for the DME to function enough to start and run the vehicle, however poorly.

You can also look to Pelican Parts site for DME change out and water leak fix and possible DME repair information. I would have posted direct links but my account here does not let me do that.

[Tefal]

When I turn the key, all the lights come on and the starter motor does everything that it has always done, but it just doesn't catch and >>>>>>>>>turn the engine over <<<<<<<<<<<<and start up.
Thanks for your help in advance.


so the engine doesnt turn over? if the engine isnt turning but the starter is making a noise then the starter is knackered,busted,broke :)


How can you be sure? I'm not trying to call you out, but if I'm going to buy a new starter I'd like to know that that will solve the problem. :dunnoi can b as sure as what ur telling me

[langleybeamer]

Sounds like you have a bad fuel pump. Remove your rear seat (bottom piece), crank the car and listen for the pump to activate. If not sure, hot wire the pump w/the car off and listen.

If you have spark and fuel pressure then check the DME for water or humidity. Good luck and welcome.

My DME box got wet I let it dry and put it back in I have fire now but the fuel pump has nopower..can you tell me what I need to do now you sound pretty smart thanks..

[atlantisvip]

Nice 2007 thread bump. Can't say you didn't search tho :) Good luck with the fix.