No Spark

[franan]

My 1987 BMW was running perfectly, now it does not even start. The spark plugs are not sparking. Can someone tell me what the issue is? If I changed the rotor and wires as well as the spark plugs, what would the next step be? I do not want to throw money on parts I want to get straight to the problem.

[jclausen]

Well for instance if the carbon pin in the cap is gone that would be a problem. So you need to check the basics, the e30's had a some power wires to the fuse box from the battery cables. You need to find out where you are losing the 12 volts

[82eye]

do you have fuel ? do you have power to the coil ? what tests have done re: bentley ? is it an i or an e and have you tested the sensors ?

[strad]

With an i, no reference signal will result in no spark and no power to the fuel pump. so you need to test the resistance of the crank sensor, and also with an oscilloscope if available. I had this issue with my 92 shortly before somebody hit me in the quarter with a 2005 Silverado. Which is the main reason I now own a 2000 740i sport.

[franan]

Yes I have fuel.

With an i, no reference signal will result in no spark and no power to the fuel pump. so you need to test the resistance of the crank sensor, and also with an oscilloscope if available. I had this issue with my 92 shortly before somebody hit me in the quarter with a 2005 Silverado. Which is the main reason I now own a 2000 740i sport.

[superj]

an e or I model? the ignition pick up is in different spots between the models.

[franan]

Okay guys I still cannot find out why the car won't start. Yesterday, I found something new. When I turned the key, I heard airflow sounds from the fuel pressure regulator but no air came out.

an e or I model? the ignition pick up is in different spots between the models.

[superj]

is it a 325i, 318i, or 325e? all three have different motors

[87Cabrio89is]

Okay guys I still cannot find out why the car won't start. Yesterday, I found something new. When I turned the key, I heard airflow sounds from the fuel pressure regulator but no air came out.

Use the Bentley. Check coil voltage (with battery fully charged), check coil resistance. Did you also replace the rotor or just the distributor cap? Are you sure you have the wires in the correct position on the cap? Have you checked the resistance of crank position sensor? Problems with any of these or the computer will cause a no spark for the 325i engine. Lack of fuel will not effect no spark, but it will effect a no start :-)

Cheers,
Joe

[franan]

Sorry the car is 1987 325es.

is it a 325i, 318i, or 325e? all three have different motors

[franan]

I have 3 e30s. One had a rusty body with a good engine. I took the engine and put it in the good chassis. After the conversion, that's when the issues occurred.

[82eye]

swap in the ecu from the donor.

edit: also pull and test the cps. or swap both sensors over from the original donor with the ecu

[superj]

yup /\

[franan]

I did that nothing.

swap in the ecu from the donor.

edit: also pull and test the cps. or swap both sensors over from the original donor with the ecu

[superj]

did you plug in the green box above, or right next to the ecu? there is also a single plug wire that needs to be plugged in right around that area, too

[franan]

I did not touch any wires inside.

did you plug in the green box above, or right next to the ecu? there is also a single plug wire that needs to be plugged in right around that area, too

[82eye]

I did that nothing.

dme ? one sensor? both ?

what values did you get testing the cps ?

what dme are you running ? 173, 153, 154, 525, 027 ? . is the swapped one the same as the original ?

most e models up here run a 154 or 027, depending on if it is motronic 1.0, 1.1, or 1.3. there are compatibility issues between them. 87 is a crap year for them as it can be any which makes finding the right one a pain.

will your car run a stomp test ?

dunno if it helps but every e no spark situation i've seen up here has been a fried dme, bad cps, or poor coil. always got them moving in the end tho. hope you can get to the bottom of it.

[franan]

I thank everyone for their time. I am going to sell the car I can not deal with the headache anymore.

dme ? one sensor? both ?

what values did you get testing the cps ?

what dme are you running ? 173, 153, 154, 525, 027 ? . is the swapped one the same as the original ?

most e models up here run a 154 or 027, depending on if it is motronic 1.0, 1.1, or 1.3. there are compatibility issues between them. 87 is a crap year for them as it can be any which makes finding the right one a pain.

will your car run a stomp test ?

dunno if it helps but every e no spark situation i've seen up here has been a fried dme, bad cps, or poor coil. always got them moving in the end tho. hope you can get to the bottom of it.

[82eye]

I thank everyone for their time. I am going to sell the car I can not deal with the headache anymore.

no start situations are purely frustrating.


good luck with the sale. would look at it for sure if you were anywhere near.

[franan]

I know,tell me about it. On mechanic was interested in the car.

no start situations are purely frustrating.


good luck with the sale. would look at it for sure if you were anywhere near.

[superj]

Dang. Where do you have it for sale? South texas ?