don't trust it

[325bob]

It cranked fine but wouldn't fire up a few times on me lately, cam sensor code only one coming up, bought 3 Chinese specials, from $10 to $90, still got a cel,but ran fine, got a BMW sensor, haven't installed it yet, changed fuel pump relay and dme relay,am carrying 2 new spare relays, will a failing pump show any codes?,would I have to read them when it won't start?Does a good reader show past non-start history/reason?I was ready to call my son to bring the tow bar to my last race, but it started after 20 minutes,and ran fine 90 miles home.

[bmwdirtracer]

On nothing but a hunch, Bob...fuel pump.

I forget, does the S52 have a schrader valve on the fuel rail? I have a spare fuel pressure gauge...I'll loan it to you if you'd like.

You know I'd never buy a Chinese sensor....but yet, I do not believe that this will stop your engine from starting.

[halifax130]

S52 should have a Schrader Valve to check fuel pressure

[bmwdirtracer]

Bob, if you'd like to borrow my spare gauge, just PM me with your address, I'll mail it out to you.

[325bob]

Bob, if you'd like to borrow my spare gauge, just PM me with your address, I'll mail it out to you.

will a failing pump show lower pressure all the time?, I'll assume you have the same distain for aftermarket pumps? lol, I'll rig up a gauge

[bmwdirtracer]

The Z3's fuel pump is very ugly to change. It lives behind the passenger seat, and the entrance is at least a foot above the floor. First step is cutting the perforated carpet. If the tank is more than half full, you're very likely to end up with gas on your carpets. Just saying....

You need to have the gauge hooked up when the symptom is manifesting, in order to know whether that's your issue, or not.

I don't dislike good aftermarket fuel pumps. What I personally don't like is having to disassemble and reassemble the fuel pump unit, with the hardened old plastic hoses and connectors. Unless a special high-volume pump is needed for extreme race duty with a huge turbocharged engine, I would absolutely buy a new, complete VDO unit, and a new o-ring.....IF THE PUMP IS BAD.

I wouldn't assume this is the case though. Wait 'til the next time it fails to start, and see how much pressure is at the schrader valve.

[328 Power 04]

Oftentimes crankshaft position sensors fail on E36 and never throw a code. Car just stops running. Check rpm when cranking. No rpm detected = bad crankshaft position sensor. It was quite common.

[325bob]

Oftentimes crankshaft position sensors fail on E36 and never throw a code. Car just stops running. Check rpm when cranking. No rpm detected = bad crankshaft position sensor. It was quite common.

I did replace it,as well, got both sensor codes one time only.

[bmwdirtracer]

Chinese, or OEM ?

[Jerry Scholder]

Bob, if you'd like to borrow my spare gauge, just PM me with your address, I'll mail it out to you.

I'm always amazed at your willingness to go the extra mile without any strings attached. A rare trait indeed.

[325bob]

Nationalist China(Taiwan), and my new BMW dealer part cam sensor is from Slovakia!,and I still have a pending code on this one,arrgh!, it cost 13 times more than a Chinese one.I ordered a new original equip. pump, but tomorrow I have an AX 80 miles away, I have access to the pump,and plan on my old MG/Lucas system for coaxing a recalcitrant pump to life, if needed, a hammer tap.

[bmwdirtracer]

Slovakia is fine. All of Europe is fine.

Jerry, thanks. Seriously, I'm just here to help....and of course, I owe everyone a little extra because I'm such a butthole sometimes.

Bob, peel back the rubber boot at the cam sensor plug....do you see any burned insulation?

[darknezz7]

Always listen to Chris, hes helped me several times in the past and albeit "butthole" but I in stubbornness, he knows his BMW's.

That being said I learned to only keep European sensors on European cars, Japanese on Japanese cars, American on American, ect. STICK WITH OEM for electronics, its really important the tolerances be right for the ecm.

I quite quite the quaffle with a e46 and 2 after market crank sensors til ordered oem from fcp euro... Sometimes it ran, sometimes not.

[325bob]

Always listen to Chris, hes helped me several times in the past and albeit "butthole" but I in stubbornness, he knows his BMW's.

That being said I learned to only keep European sensors on European cars, Japanese on Japanese cars, American on American, ect. STICK WITH OEM for electronics, its really important the tolerances be right for the ecm.

I quite quite the quaffle with a e46 and 2 after market crank sensors til ordered oem from fcp euro... Sometimes it ran, sometimes not.

My coupe has a "Lucas" brake booster, can the prince of darkness screw up a mechanical part?