‘95 M3 - No start after mouse infestation

[ajt36]

Looking for some thoughts after a mouse infestation this winter. Car is a 95 M3 with an auto-to-manual swap, if that matters. Car started when I pulled it into garage over the winter. It now does not. Mice made a nest underneath the seat where the white/yellow (I think that’s the “return”) fuel pump is located. They chewed on the wires to that single power connector. I repaired those wires assuming the car would fire right up. But nope, nothing.

The car does have power. That is, everything works (radio, windows, dash lights, etc.) but it does not even turn over. No starter cranking, no clicking, nothing. The mice seemed to have made a “summer home” underneath the glove box, and in the compartment where the computer is as well. I have half the dash/console apart and the computer out of the engine bay compartment. I don’t see any more chewed wires or obvious issue (from what I can tell from hundreds of wires collected together).

Couple of things I do know at this point. The blue fuel pump works. Power probe gets it to fire up. There is voltage at that white/yellow pump, the relay and the fuse. I replaced the fuel pump fuse just in case. I’m going to order a new relay just in case. The starter has voltage.

Any collective knowledge as to where I can look at this point? Or are there other things I should be trying? I’m assuming there is a chewed wire or wires somewhere, but I don’t even know where to start to look.

Thanks for any help.

-A

[AJLM34A]

What is the production date of your car?

[ajt36]

What is the production date of your car?

10/95

[AJLM34A]

Here is the wiring diagram for a 1995 3 series, go to the 1240.0 Start section;
http://wedophones.com/Manuals/BMW/19...g%20Manual.pdf

You had the car stored for many months, was the battery dead or did you maintain it with a charger?

I would check all of the wires for the starting circuit first, then look at the EWS II late production wires.

[ajt36]

Ahh... thanks... that looks helpful, albeit something I’m gonna have to figure out how to read.

The car has always had a battery tender on it in the off-season. So battery is where it needs to be to start it.

Here is the wiring diagram for a 1995 3 series, go to the 1240.0 Start section;
http://wedophones.com/Manuals/BMW/19...g%20Manual.pdf

You had the car stored for many months, was the battery dead or did you maintain it with a charger?

I would check all of the wires for the starting circuit first, then look at the EWS II late production wires.

[marvinstockman]

Mice will eat thru your wires, which has happened on my AC for the house.

[ajt36]

Yeah... I have unfortunately discovered that the hard way. Only thing I can think is they got somewhere else and chewed something critical. The mass of wires behind the dash is... daunting looking to say the least. So sealing up my garage has been a summer project. Mouse poison this winter too. Can’t have this happen again.

Mice will eat thru your wires, which has happened on my AC for the house.