1997 528i No Start, Just Put New engine in from a 1999 528i

[BronzeJellyBaby]

I recently purchased an 1997 528i with a blown head gasket. Instead of pulling the head, which was more than likely cracked anyway, I decided to just replaced the engine. I purchased an M52 out of an 1999 528i with 80k miles on it.

I have completed the engine swap and used the engine harness that was on the 1999 528i. There is one extra plug that the original engine doesn't have. It is part of the harness that goes into the EMC bay (passenger side under air duct inlet for the cabin).

The engine is installed and it doesn't want to start. I am receiving fuel, but no spark. The Coils have been tested and check out to the .8 ohm resistance that they should be.

Is there a difference between the 97' engine harness and the 99' engine harness for the 528i? Everything checks out, I have looked over the engine twice with a Bentley and have done numerous tests.

The plan is to get an obdII tester tomorrow and see if I can get some fault codes. The only Idea that I cold have is that the harness is not compatible and I need to swap the original harness back onto the new engine.

Can anyone offer any advice as to what I need to do? I am not perfect and the swap was done in 2 days, so I could have very well missed something. Any input is much appreciated.

I can also get pictures of the specific part of the harness I am speaking of. Thank you guys for your time.

Blake

[Qsilver7]

Wow!

I feel for you...that was a lot of work to do...didn't the Bentley identify the different engines used in the e39?

The 97-98 528i has the M52 engine (single VANOS). The 99-00 528i has the M52TU engine (double VANOS). That is probably why there's an extra "plug".

There's also this thing called EWS...which is immobilizing "drive-a-way-protection"...all the components of EWS are encoded with an ISN (individual serial number) and if the ISNs of all the components do NOT match...the car will not start.

[NikosX]

Dude. M52 vs M52TU. Different motors.

[joako]

You probably wanted an engine out of a 9/98 or earlier car. Maybe you also could have swapped the head keeping single VANOS. It could very well be a sensor issue, the M52 DME is expecting an input from the engine but the sensor isn't the same between the 2 engines.

[andershhDK]

If it is the EWS then you'll need the key and the ignition from your "donor" car or else it won't start.

I had the same problem when I installed an M62 in my E36...

[touring intl]

If it is the EWS then you'll need the key and the ignition from your "donor" car or else it won't start.

I had the same problem when I installed an M62 in my E36...

You will also need the DME from the donor car as well.

[BronzeJellyBaby]

Thank you guys for your quick responses! I may be mistaken on the year of 528i, at least I hope I am mistaken, it most likely came from an 1998. From the info provided it looks like they changed from the EWS 3.2 to EWS 3.3 (between 1997 and 1998). That may be why there is one extra plug. I don't have the donor car, becuase I purchased the engine from BMW parts company.

The engines look the exact same besides little differences in they position of vacuum hoses and that one extra plug on the engine wiring harness. Here are pictures of the engine:




I put multiple pictures to try and give a full view of the engine. It looks to be the M52b28, can you guys tell if it is the m52tu? How do I need to go about getting the thing to start if I don't have the original EWS for the new engine? Is there something I can swap over to make it compatible with this 528i?

I really appreciate the help guys!

[xisco44]

the engine is a m52b28 single vanos is the right engine just use the old harness and it should work

[Qsilver7]

Yep, you will need all of the EWS components from the same vehicle in order for the engine to start.

If your car was built BEFORE 3/97....you will need all FIVE components listed in post #2 under EWS II.

• orig car keys
• Ring Antenna
• transmitter/receiver
• EWS control module
• DME

If your car was built after 3/97..then you have EWS 3.2 (or EWS 3.3) and all you need are FOUR of the EWS components (the transmitter/receiver was incorporated into the EWS control module).

• orig car keys
• Ring Antenna
• EWS control module
• DME

[xisco44]

dont use the new harness i dont know whats the issue..
use your old harness and you should be ready to go

[jamesdc4]

Canyonrot ftw!

[Mark@EAC]

if everything else checks out, unplug the oil level sensor and see if it starts then. if so replace the sensor.

[M3Alpine99]

Blake... it probably doesn't start because you suck!


No but seriously. It does not look like the new motor is the double VANOS TU. Both the old engine and new engine both have the OBD2 E36/E39 M52B28(also S52) intake manifold, valve cover and engine covers. The TU has a different looking intake manifold. At least everyone I can remember and google confirms that.

[BronzeJellyBaby]

Thank you guys for the awesome info. I have spoke with an certified BMW mechanic and he told me that the EWS would not have to be aligned unless I used a ECU out of another 528i. I am using the original ECU out of the 528i.

I am pretty sure that it is the engine harness holding me up. There are 5 plugs on the 98' harness and only 4 plugs on the 97' harness. The plug on the 98' harness that is currently hooked up looks like it is a ground related plug. Here are some pictures of the comparison:

The 98' harness (5 plugs, one blue mystery plug with some brown wires. Possibly ground related?).



The 97' Harness (Only 4 plugs, no blue plug shown in the picture above).



I can't thank you guys enough for all the help. I really appreciate all the info and compliments. Looking forward to having the baby fired up. So I plan to swap the harnesses and see if that does the trick.

Let me know what you guys think. Thanks again for your time.

[M3Alpine99]

Blake are we playing L4D2 this fine evening?