Bmw e36 no crank no start

[DevsE36]

About a year ago I bough an e36 as a project car, it didn’t start when I got it and the previous owner has switches and a button wired in cause the ignition tumbler gave out I guess 🤷*♂️ I have tested that the button has power and so does the starter but I’m getting no signal from the button to the starter. I’ve tried anything that forums tell me and nothing seems to work. The only other thing that forums tell me is it’s the EWS 2 but how do I know for sure before I just go and delete it

[Eric93se]

The switch inside the button may have burned out. Test that there is 12v on both sides of the button when pushing it.

Read up on the thread for "ews delete", learn to use the search button to search specifically the e36 sub forum.

[spyderg0d]

Yea. Make sure the button works and its wired to the black and yellow wire at the ignition plug.
If its 95 and later, it has a key chip that is needed to satisfy the security unless its had a recorded ecu. If its 92-95 you can order a ews delete chip online.

If the button works. Report back.

[DevsE36]

I’m getting power at the button but no signal to the starter when I push it, it’s a 98 so it’s got an ews2 system, but I guess I’ll have to tear into the dash to see where the previous owner has it wired too

[spyderg0d]

... power doesn't matter if it isn't getyingnpower to where it has to go to enact the starter..

Red wire is power on the ignition switch.
Yellow and black is the starter engage wire on the ignition switch.

- - - Updated - - -

Ews2 means the key has to be in the transponder and all of the components have to be plugged in. Unless the ecu has been coded.

[DevsE36]

Ok I’ll tear into it this weekend and let you know what I find

[DevsE36]

It’s throwing a CEL for a few codes P0101 (Mass or volume flow A circuit range/ performance
P1188 (fuel control B1 S1), PO1189 (fuel control B2 S1)
would any of these possibly the issue to it not cranking or starting?

[XnWarden]

If it isn't cranking there is something electrical going on.

Either the battery is too low on juice, the starter has failed, or the starter isn't grounded.

You can test the grounds by hooking one color on a set of jumper cables to the strut tower nut and also the engine hoist point. If it cranks with the cable in place, your engine ground strap has failed.

If that doesn't do the trick, id bench test the starter and the battery

Edit: this is all assuming your ignition switch issue has been properly sorted.

Sent from my SM-G975U using Tapatalk

[LuvMy328is]

If the previous owner didn't eff you in the A and you think it is a MAF issue, LMK. I will send you one for $20... I think I can find it.

[DevsE36]

So the button has continuity, the engine has a good ground, I’m getting power to the starter and to the button I’m not getting any power to my trigger wire on the starter, I bench tested the starter and it works the battery is also new. I’m kinda running out of things here :/ any advice or input will help at this point.. because burning it is starting to look like a good idea.