October 29, 2009 11:15AM
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Registered: 15 years ago
Posts: 1,869 : Amagansett, New York |
A few weeks ago I started having some starting, and running conditions just on warm up. Now, after a good rain or in a damp spell the car won't start; it spins over great but its like the spark is not happening.
Once it starts it will run for a few seconds and cut out (wants to die) and when that happens the econo gauge swings all the way over to the left and then when it cuts back in the gauge swings back to normal. The car bucks and carries on till it warms completely up and then things are pretty much back to normal, although starting can still be a bear. Seems to me Ove used to say that when the econo gauge makes that swing it meant something (like the fuel was okay but the motor had no ignition), I forget what... I'll try a new main relay and see if that helps, I have everything I would need in stock so parts are easy, its just getting the right one! For some reason I might be feeling a connection with the gas pedal, maybe AFM related definitely likes to start with no gas pedal now that this damp issue has showed itself, and that is not how its been along. Cheers and thanks for listening, Rick |
October 29, 2009 11:46AM
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Registered: 15 years ago
Posts: 670 |
October 29, 2009 12:01PM
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Registered: 15 years ago
Posts: 1,869 : Amagansett, New York |
Interesting, when it starts cutting out its like turning a switch off though, maybe fuel relay? I know that econo meter means something! Thanks Michiel |
October 29, 2009 12:35PM
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Registered: 15 years ago
Posts: 797 : Ottawa |
I dunno.
The econo gauge swings full left like that whenever you're coasting and take your foot off the throttle. The throttle position switch registers that the throttle has fully closed and that signals the computer to stop cycling the fuel injectors and ignition. The engine is still turning, but receiving no fuel or spark, so the econo meter shows infinitely good economy, until the rpm drops to idle level at which point the idle controller should take over to keep the engine running. I agree wth Michel, it sounds like it's cutting out the ignition/fuel supply. Not a fuel pressure issue though, like in the pump stops running, because it should take a moment before the pressure bled down enough to starve the engine. But it does sound more like something electrical cutting out causing the injectors and ignition to stop. Try swapping the main relay. |
October 29, 2009 03:22PM
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Registered: 15 years ago
Posts: 87 : Rigaud Quebec |
I experienced a similar problem and also thought that the main relay was defective. Turned out that I was partially correct. It was actually the green (I think) wire at the main relay socket that had corroded and started to give intermitant contact. The green (at least I think that it was green) wire is the signal wire to the fuel pump relay.
Salut, Bob P. |
October 29, 2009 05:22PM
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Registered: 15 years ago
Posts: 584 : Vermont, USA |
Wow, is this thread ever timely. I am having a similar problem as Rick. For two years, ever since I replaced the timing belt/water pump/etc., my car has started hard in the cold or wet. I've replaced the AFM (based on a 1215 code shown), coolant temperature sensor, fuel pressure regulator, and checked all the wiring, to no avail. I've just lived with it, because it always started eventually, especially if I floored the throttle.
Until this week. Tuesday morning I started the car as usual, drove it for 10 minutes, and parked it. It sat for about an hour in a cold rain, and hasn't started since. It cranks and cranks, but not even a hint of a cylinder firing. I haven't checked for spark or fuel yet, but it sure sounds to me like an electrical problem, based on how suddenly it came on two years ago, and how suddenly it got worse this week. I sure hope it's something as simple as a wire connection. Where would I find the main relay and this green wire that connects to it? __________ Dave '91 325iX |
October 29, 2009 06:37PM
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Registered: 15 years ago
Posts: 584 : Vermont, USA |
Never mind, I found it. No corrosion there, and looks good, but I also discovered that the fuel pump itself isn't making any sound. I guess the next step is to test the main relay (is there a test?) and the fuel pump itself. Sorry Rick, I didn't mean to hijack your thread. What code do you get when you do the 5-stomps-on-the-gas pedal thing? __________ Dave '91 325iX Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 10/29/2009 06:39PM by Dave_G. |
October 29, 2009 06:44PM
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Registered: 15 years ago
Posts: 1,869 : Amagansett, New York |
Thanks guys. No problem Dave, its all in the family hopefully we'll both get fixed before really cold weather sets in- I have not tried the 5 stomper yet, will do. Judging by what everybody has been saying I feel a little closer |
November 01, 2009 01:51PM
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Registered: 15 years ago
Posts: 670 |
The econo gauge reading is calculated on injector duty cycle and speed. No throttle input needed. (And no correction for fuel pressure, I think)
If I'm right, our Motronics open the injectors (split in 2 banks) once every two crankshaft revolutions during normal running. Below 600 rpm all injectors are opened every crankshaft revolution. You should check your camshaft sensor/connector, along with the fuel supply. The fault codes could help finding the first part to look at. |
November 01, 2009 08:25PM
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November 01, 2009 08:35PM
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November 02, 2009 10:36AM
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November 02, 2009 11:16AM
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November 02, 2009 11:27AM
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November 02, 2009 12:04PM
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November 02, 2009 12:17PM
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Another Motronic link
Looks like yours should be a 1.3 (88 onwards). The eta engine might have it as well, though very limited. |
November 02, 2009 12:19PM
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Registered: 15 years ago
Posts: 584 : Vermont, USA |
1988 was supposedly the first year of Motronic 1.3. Earlier cars used Motronic 1.1, which had a much simpler output with only four codes.
Further reading: http://www.unofficialbmw.com/repair_faqs/motronic.html http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Motronic __________ Dave '91 325iX |
November 02, 2009 05:47PM
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Registered: 15 years ago
Posts: 1,869 : Amagansett, New York |
Wow |
November 06, 2009 01:28PM
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November 06, 2009 08:25PM
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November 07, 2009 01:46PM
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Registered: 15 years ago
Posts: 1,869 : Amagansett, New York |
I'll check this out Peter, I have a proper cap and wires set-up for the 2.5, which will replace the eta set-up I have on it now. Somehow though, it doesn't feel like it did a while back when the cap and wires were the problem, BUT, its electrical, so all will be checked out! Thanks Buddy and all my other brothers here This place is a gift... Rick |
November 08, 2009 12:46PM
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November 12, 2009 11:51PM
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November 13, 2009 03:35AM
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November 19, 2009 02:11PM
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Registered: 15 years ago
Posts: 1,869 : Amagansett, New York |
Okay, the other day I couldn't get a bark out of Eubie so I cleaned the main relay (hosed it down with 5-56) and stuck in a good relay; car fired right off and ran perfect for days.
Needed the car this morning and no go, not even a hint of a bark, so I tested the spark, had plenty and then I did a 5-56 job on the fuel relay plug and stuck in a known good relay, next to its main relay brother and it fired up instantly. So, its looks like rain tonight and we'll see what tomorrow brings I'm really getting pretty tried of this crap! Bobs main relay wiring issues might be what I'm dealing with; as soon as I start routing around in there the car fires up- electrical, brother, it can sure run you around! On the hunt for truth and justice (and damp weather issues), Rick |
November 20, 2009 08:18PM
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Registered: 15 years ago
Posts: 1,869 : Amagansett, New York |
Well, it rained all night, and it did start in the morning B)- we'll see as time goes on... Stay tuned, Rick |
November 21, 2009 09:19AM
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Registered: 15 years ago
Posts: 609 : SoCal |
November 21, 2009 09:50AM
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Registered: 15 years ago
Posts: 1,869 : Amagansett, New York |
That's a great idea Alan, is there a way to get the wires/and end connector out of the block assy. I've been wanting to check this area of the wiring for some time now- this coming week I'll get in there and see what I can find. Thanks, Rick |
November 21, 2009 05:23PM
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Registered: 15 years ago
Posts: 609 : SoCal |
Hmm, not that I can think of. I know other cars have wiring looms that will run to a firewall/bulkhead connector. Relatively simple to take out the old harness and replace with a new one. I think on our cars, the wiring runs directly to the fuse box or to various components. But it sure sounds like your issue is connectivity as according to your symptoms, it tends to go south when the weather gets wet.
You could always get a wiring diagram and ohm trace the wire runs. alan |
November 21, 2009 08:06PM
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Registered: 15 years ago
Posts: 1,869 : Amagansett, New York |
I guess I could check from the block (where it plugs in to the relays) to four inches down the wire... Living here, on the east end is a damp salty place! I'll keep at it :? |