03 3.0i not starting

B

bigbacon

Member
Went out to go somewhere,

turn key, engine starts and runs for maybe 2 or3 seconds and it dies. After that, it doesn't start at all. (it was a one time deal)

I can turn the key and hear the starter and everything go WHIRRR but car doesn't start.

Is there a way to listen for the fuel pump and see if that is the case?

Car was started like a week ago but I only moved it out of the garage and into the driveway and then back later on.

Doesn't have any of the bad battery characteristics, everything seems to be running in the car just fine.
car has just under 1/2 tank and the gas that is in there is only 2 weeks old. car never gave me issues until just now.

video:http://youtu.be/EZyn6-p_gQY
 
Engine sounds fine turning over so I don't think its a battery issue.
You should be able to here the fuel pump running prior to start when you switch the ignition on.
Also Is your oil pressure warning light clearing or clear when turning over the engine
 
in the video, everything clears while cranking except the brake light. after cranking, battery and brake light are on.
 
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wSdfFt-gbFM
This is what the fuel pump should sound like (similar car)
Could be a crank sensor also but I think the EML would be on ......not sure
 
i just tried jumping it, and it didn't start but it was sure trying, there was exhaust coming out of the tail end when I was done so it burning something.
 
Take a couple of plugs, or even one out and earth casing against engine (needs good earth contact) see if you can see a blue spark across the gap to check your getting a spark.
You will need to turn for a number of turns to check.
Engine only needs fuel, compression and a spark.
 
Check this out as a logical approach. you can miss the first steps as the engine is cranking. Good luck........... let us know how you get on?
http://blog.bavauto.com/3562/no-start-1989-325i-e30/
 
Check this out as a logical approach. you can miss the first steps as the engine is cranking. Good luck........... let us know how you get on?
http://blog.bavauto.com/3562/no-start-1989-325i-e30/
 
I took the battery to autozone just to have it checked out since it is free, they said it couldn't finish the test because it didn't have enough voltage and was low.

They are charging it so I'll find out tomorrow when I pick it back up. If not, guess car is getting towed into town and looked at.

I have a bnch of other stuff I was going to do to the car next month anyway so I guess it will get done sooner.
 
Where exactly is the fuel pump in the tank? Is the tank behind the seats? I can hear something go for a few seconds behind the passenger seat when I put key at 2
 
Pulled all the plugs, they are wet and smell like gas.


pics:
http://starshipvonbraun.com/von/ss//103_PANA//P1040284.JPG
http://starshipvonbraun.com/von/ss//103_PANA//P1040286.JPG
 
Sorry been to work today!
Not sure about that first pic that big piece of carbon........... yuk!.
Right give the battery a good charge (which auto-zone are doing FOC.... very good!) You have run the battery down with turning the engine over and the battery being in a poor state of charge after not using the car for a while.
Next time yo try and start it let if turn over with the throttle about half open and see if it fires. I think its partially 'flooded' with fuel if the plugs are 'wet' .
If it still does not fire at then it looks like the spark or an electrical problem check the plugs as said before to check that your getting a spark...........if you are not seeing a spark you are now into a world of pain!
Let us know! :)
 
with the plugs out, I just held the pedal to the floor and cranked it over a few times. I also wiped and brushed the plugs to clean them up. I'm going to let everything sit for a bit and air dry and see what happens

I have no idea how to check for spark and I want to do it safely and I need to be able to do it by myself as I have no one to help me.

Also where is the fuse for the fuel injection and what not so I can pull it and not have to worry about holding the pedal in.
 
Sorry bigbacon ....eating my dinner there!
If the battery is fully charged, put the plugs back in (carefully don't cross thread) and try and start it with your foot slightly down on the throttle pedal (about half travel) and see if it fires............. it may not fire immediately keep it cranking for a while until it fires. Let us know
 
Yes
the link below should help
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gVKh82SuDQ8 . Off to work good luck!
 
I had the same problem a few years ago
with my 03. I can't find the paper work or recall exactly what it was. Several told me it was a fuel pump issue, but turned out to be some kind of sensor related to the crankshaft. Sorry I can't be anymore vague than that. :wink:
 
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