Anybody familiar with BMWs?

with the vehicle sitting in a quiet area, turn the key to the run position, and see if you can hear the fuel pump come on for about 2 or 3 seconds to prime the system. you may have to have someone down low outside the car to hear it. if it doesn't kick on, its probably bad. if the fuel pump kicks on, we need to go further. something else you can check is if the coil wire has come off, or is broken (I would say all plug wires, but if its only 1, it would run badly not fail to start). you gotta have fuel/air/spark. if its getting fuel, its gotta be spark somewhere. post back.

monster, thank you so much for your reply. I think he's tired of worrying with it tonight and dang if it isn't ruining my New Year's Eve because he's down about his car. I have no idea about anything you are saying but I shall certainly let him read your reply and I thank you again most whole-heartedly! I think he is going to wait to look at it again tomorrow morning but I am still open to anyone who might can help him as it sounds like you possibly did...Thank you again!!!

no problem. lemme know if its not either of those, and we can go further.

i'd like to be!

2pennies, sure hope the car gets fixed easily, and your Dad is all well soon!

There's a repair shop just outside Killen I think. It's definitely better than taking it to Huntsville (my ex wouldn't let me get an Audi for that reason). I'm sorry this has come at this time. 2008 will be better! We love you (my patient thinks you're hot, too!)

quote:

Originally posted by FirenzeVeritas:
There's a repair shop just outside Killen I think. It's definitely better than taking it to Huntsville (my ex wouldn't let me get an Audi for that reason). I'm sorry this has come at this time. 2008 will be better! We love you (my patient thinks you're hot, too!)

the only BMW shop that I know about is the one that is on the south side of the highway, about a mile east of Elgin Crossroads. its behind the persons house. he has worked on a friends 5-series, and they were very pleased.

quote:

Originally posted by monster:

quote:

Originally posted by FirenzeVeritas:
There's a repair shop just outside Killen I think. It's definitely better than taking it to Huntsville (my ex wouldn't let me get an Audi for that reason). I'm sorry this has come at this time. 2008 will be better! We love you (my patient thinks you're hot, too!)

the only BMW shop that I know about is the one that is on the south side of the highway, about a mile east of Elgin Crossroads. its behind the persons house. he has worked on a friends 5-series, and they were very pleased.

I think it is Lynns BMW service, I have heard all good but not used him myself.

Two Pennies...Let me tell you what happened to my Truck..I know it's not a BMW...But...could be related...I was working out of town...and my wife had took the camper down the the site we stay at every year...well..now this truck has never give me any problems..she called me and said it just quit running...but...it may start back up....may not...it will especially after it cools off.it would start as if nothing was wrong...well...she called me and she was on her way home...and it quit again..I told her to call a tow truck..and have it fixed....Sounded like the fuel pump...but before the two truck arrived..it started..and she drove it on home...It sit till I got hom that weekend...I drove it...and sometimes it seemed to buck a little every now and then...finally after about an hour of driving...it stalled on me....Turned over good....it was firing good...but the fuel pump wasn't priming like monster explained...I could turn the key on..and I couldn't hear the 2 or 3 second buzz coming from the gas tank...So I said ok....I sit there a minute...and hit the key...and it started right up....I said...this aint right...So...I opened the hood....and on the drivers side of my truck....there was another fuse box..it was full of fuses and relays....and we both know..if a fuse is shot...what ever is connected to that fuse...will not work...So...with the truck sitting still running...I started wiggling those little black and gray boxes...The relay switches...making sure they were making contact....well...I must have touch the magic one..because when I wiggled it...the truck sputtered...I quit....it stayed running...I wiggled it again...it sputtered...so..I pulled this replay switch out...and the truck quit...I looked at the pronges that go inside the box and one of them was a little melted around where it entered the relay...and it would move a little..So...I put the replay back in..left the top off the Fuse box...so it wouldnt get hot inside..and headed to the parte store...bought me a new relay...and drove I guess 5 or 6 months...Same thing...I said...Uh huh...So..I checked....sure enough...same problem...I dont know why this truck started liking the fuel pump relays....but...now...I keep a new one in the glove box all the time....and just last week...it quit on me again...I reached over..Opened the glove box...got my relay...popped the hood...Pulled the other one out...popped the new one in...Fired the truck up...and was gone in...let's say.....A Michael Waltrip pit stop...So...if you can get the car to srat...Wiggle those relays and see if the car will sputter....all vehicles with electric fuel pumps are very sensitive to fuel pressure...So if it is running...and he wiggles the right one....and the fuel pump quits....the car is going to stop running or the engine is going to act like it is...If you turn on the key....and dont here the buzz monster was telling you about...leave the key on...and then start your wiggling till you hear the buzz....then you will know which one it is...But usually...Firing mechanisims dont work when the want too....and I think since it is a BMW is is fule injected...So the air is not a problem....But...I bet it is a fule relay...under the box there should be a diagram of which relay is which...but....sounds like a gas problem to me...Especially...if the car has sit a while...Could even be a Collasped fuel filter..they are made of a cardboard insides...and sometimes after prolonged sitting..they will stop them own selves up....good luck....hope this sheds a little light on your problem...The Roofer..

First of all, I'm sorry to have not thanked y'all earlier but I've had trouble getting the TD to load. So...thank you all so much! It's great to have such wonderful and helpful friends. Let me also say that the guy y'all have recommended is the guy who does all of the work on his BMW when he can't fix it himself. So, he was very impressed that y'all recommended the same guy.

monster, he checked the fuel pump and it's not coming on. The coils are okay but it's just not firing. He pulled and changed three plugs (he's dictating and I'm typing), said the plugs were dry with no gasoline smell...(I hope this makes sense to y'all because it doesn't to me).

Roofer, he put a relay fuse in and it still did the same thing. So, he said unless he put in a bad relay fuse, that wasn't it either.

As of right now, he has continued to "research" it online and has ordered a new crank sensor. He's going to try changing that out on Thursday...will keep y'all posted!

A good friend of his has let us borrow his truck until we can get insurance added to the Fiero tomorrow so we are just blessed with friends like y'all and him.

As he just told me, "now they're going to say, 'Oh No-a Fiero!'". Friends, I've been there/done that. My very first car was a Fiero and it "cremated itsself" CHiPS-style on the side of the road when I was in high school. Surely, surely that can't happen again...not on top of everything else!

Roofer,

The wife's car had the symptoms of a failed fuel pump about 4 years ago. I changed out the pump and it did not fix the problem. I ended up having to replace the distributor. Fixed it and it hasn't had a problem since.

Thanks fine. I read that to him and he said he certainly hopes that's not what it is because it's a pain to get to the distributor on his car. But, he's taking all things into consideration...

Whack it with a hammer. if that doesn't work, use a bigger hammer.

DF

Wow, just as I saw that you had posted I told my husband, "DeepFat" has responded and he's really smart, maybe he will have some insight. I'm so glad to know that I didn't underestimate you . I can tell you that I would probably already have done this along with kicking it a few times. But then again, that is coming from somebody who once got into a fight with a lawnmower, cussed it and finally shot it!

hahahahahaha,

t***, I hope you find the answer to your problem. I don't know anything about BMW mechanics, except it helps to curse in German when you skin your knuckles using metric wrenches on them.

Good luck.

DF

Well, DF, I can speak a little bit of many languages, even a little braille ...but I don't know any German. As for him, he never cursed until he me...wonder why?

Well...if the fuel pump is not coming on...This would be the first thing I would try to get going...Turning the key on...and tapping the tank with a wood stick or a hammer is not a real bad Idea...if he can get his hand on top of the tank without lowering it...turn on the key...and just move the wires on top of the take where the fuel pump goes in to make sure they get a good connection...be sure to listen for the fuel pump to buzz for that few seconds...On the BMW...The fuel pump maybe housed in a seconday tank and not be audible...maybe you cant hear it....So this I recommend..Turn on the key....under the hood....on the left side of the engine....there is a fuel rail...this is what feeds the injectors....On that rail...there is a Valve like a Tire valve...unscrew the cap..and press the center button in....as if you were letting air out of a tire....if the switch is on...and the pump is working and you cant hear it....when he presses this valve...Gas should shoot everywhere...so tell him to be carefull and not get sprayed...Now the crank sensor...will make it not fire for sure...but this is uncommon for this electronic piece to go bad...since it is designed to be weather beaten over the years...If it's not a big deal...take a 12 volt test light...with the switch on...and see if the hot wire to the Distrubitor is hot...Might narrow the problem down....if the wire is not hot...then....spending money on the crank sensor may be a waste of time...Just another thought......

Update: He replaced the crank sensor and it cranked up and ran for 10-15 seconds but still not getting enough fuel to keep the engine ignited. He's now thinking the fuel pump. He checked the injector relay, appears okay, it's just not getting fuel. Tomorrow he is going to pull the seat out of the back of the car and see if the fuel pump is getting power (coming on or not) and at that point will know if it needs to be replaced or not...

Be sure to check the fuel pump relay.

It might be that the in-line fuel filter is stopped up, not allowing an adequate supply of fuel into the firing system.

BMW's don't work the way other cars do with running the fuel pump with the key turned on. It depends on what model it is. It will sometimes run and sometimes not depending on the Motronic or Bosch type fuel injection system. What year model and series is the car and what engine does it have. When replacing the crank sensor, you should check to make sure that the reluctor ring on the damper has not been damaged or hammered on. If it loses where TDC is, it will screw with the firing. Also, some of these cars have a lift pump along with the fuel pump.
PM me and I will help if I can. I don't trust most places, especially H'ville since I got messed over there when they serviced my M3. So I do the work myself.

M3 Huh?....You have a personalized tag?

Yep got a personalized tag.

It's like a guy was asking me yesterday about front brakes for his 99 E39. He was quoted 200.00 to put them on. The brakes were only 39.00 and they are easier than most GM cars to install. Shame when you say BMW most places think big bucks for service. And I said most before someone gets on the defense and tells me they are cheaper than his quote.

By any chance...your tag has the word ''power'' in it anywhere?

Yes, it would probably have "power" spelled one way or another in it.

The 88 M6 has BIGCOUP on it.

The reason I am asking....A couple weeks ago....My Daughter and I locked hornes with a car on the Hiway...it had a personalized tag...and it was an M3 car...and the word power was in the personalized tag...we were in the yellow corvette...I was just wondering if maybe it was you...No harm done....just curious....

I don't think it was me. Mine is a 97 and silver. Always up for some good fun on the road though. I'll keep an eye out for you. M6 is gold. It is a lot of fun for a big heavy car.

Who won? You or him?

lol....Well...we were already was doing about 70...and we played tag for a little bit...but then he pulled up beside me...goosed it...and I knew he was a top end car...no doubt...and I senced a Turbo..I could hear a power adder...he didn't have Nitros...I have been around that stuff long enough to know what an engine does when it is sprayed...So...we were cooking about 70...and I held up one finger....then two...then three....He down shifted as well did I...When I down shifted and dumped the Double pumper...I jumped him almost a Vette legenth..which is about 14 foot...wound out second till there was no more...shifted on into high...Still..no movement...we stayed the same....I looked down and saw the speedometer hit 145 and decided that was enough...I let off..and he flew by me...then I heard the Buzzz...I Said...yeap....he was making boost and the ole Roofer put the burn on him with a 406 and a couple goodies....but nothing that made tremoundious power like a turbo or a Super charger....I am sure he had a turbo..because...Turbo's work off exhaust...where a Supercharger works off RPM'S...So...he was making maybe 6 pounds of boost...funny thing is...I never heard a blow off valve...so...what ever Boost he was making...he was using...So...according to that..he has room to create more power...So..I held him a vette legenth at a 70 mph kick till I decided it was geting dangerious...now to say who won....depends on who you ask...but thats how it went down.....

probably had a recirculating valve rather than a blow off valve. my MR2 came from the factory with a recirculating valve, and I hated it.

When I had trouble with my BMW, my wife went to you guys for help and I thank you...she keeps me abreast of forums each night so I feel like I know you but this is the first post for me.

Thankyou again..

quote:

Originally posted by DeepFat:
hahahahahaha,

t***, I hope you find the answer to your problem. I don't know anything about BMW mechanics, except it helps to curse in German when you skin your knuckles using metric wrenches on them.

Good luck.

DF

DF~ You always make me laugh at your witty replies!
Hope ya have a great weekend

My dad has a 1998 Z3 roadster BMW he always takes it to Lynn's BMW repair at Elgin Cross Roads so far everything that has went wrong or broak Lynn has been able to make it as good as new and he is so nice and if tells you to pick it up on a certin date he has it ready for you.