Car DOES NOT START

[Sev]

Hello, so today i was heading to get my car smoged, on the way there, the car just turned off suddenly. As i was rolling, i put it in second gear and lifted the clutch, the car turned on for a second and turned off.

I thought it was the gas, so i called AAA and put a gallon of gas, but started cranking it, but nothing. It cranks but it doesn't start. Even when it starts, goes up to 200 rpm while cranking and it shuts off again. Here is the video. I am thinking its either my fuel pressure regulator, or my fuel pump.

I need to fix the car asap before my school starts. Any ideas what the issue could be?



Thank You
Sev

[Merlin]

Well here are a few thoughts:

check the connection between the AFM and the harness. it could have loosened and boom dead. unplug, glance for corrosion and plug back in. IF IM remembering correctly on this car the AFM does control if the fuel pump gets power.

My main idea is to start with the spark. test the color of the spark before and after the cap. white to blue is good, red and orange is bad. IF the coil is over heating then it can shut down while driving. it may or may not refire once you get going again.

Obviously if you get spark then check the fuel. throw a fuel pressure gauge in line and it will tell you if the pump is coming on. It could be as simple as the fuel pump relay, swap it out with one of the other matching relays.

That should be a good start so you can determine if you have good fuel and good fire.

Good luck
Sam

[Jeff Dennis]

Could be a few things do a little research and let us know your findings. Fuel delivery can depend on the pump and also the dual/combo relay and we need to know the year of your car.
As advised check for spark and advise the group.

[wkohler]

That's a 528i if it helps anyone.

First step I'd take is to move the flapper door on the AFM and see if the fuel pump comes on.

[Sev]

I did check the MAF and its connector, cleaned it, and nothing changed. I did check the relay it seemed okay. My plugs are new, and they work well, and coils give the best electricity. Trust me, i felt it, went threw my whole body. haha. Had a good laughter after i calmed.

I thought i would need a new fuel pump(122$), a fuel pressure regulator, (140$), and also the pump in the gas tank sending the fuel to the fuel pump (210$). The prices are OEM products form BMA, a local shop for parts.

Well, after leaving it for 2-3 hours untouched, i was just trying out my luck, and the car turned on. Which was very surprising.

I still dont know what caused that issue, but it sure did get my attention with changing everything regarding the fuel. Since its a project, now i know where to direct my attention to first.

[GripGreg]

If you didn't switch that relay with another that has the same number of prongs, you didn't check it.
I'm guessing all you did was wiggle it?
Just sayin'.

[oceancab]

If your ignition cables are 30 years old, the cable going from the coil to the distributor might be grounding against the airbox or hood, giving you weak or no spark.

[GripGreg]

Also, clean all the grounds. Even under the fusebox.

[CBradio]

This may be a long shot and not apply to a 528i,

but when I first got my car the harness from the fusebox to the ignition was shorting on the block.

As I recall, the harness went up past the oil filter attached with a clamp. Why BMW would run the harness in that hot place spot is beyond me; anyways, when my car would get warm my ignition system would short out. I made a longer harness that travels along under the windshield; no more shorting.

I was really stumped for two months until I unbolted the clamp and inspected the wire.

In this spirit, I'd just go through your ignition system wiring and make sure nothing is lose or jiggling. Even check your battery cables-

[Merlin]

Just because you tasted the electricity does not mean that its OK. you need to check the color going to the distributor cap and then each plug wire. if its not white to blue then you have a problem. the issue could VERY well be the condenser, seen it happen many times. This test will tell you if you have electricity all the way through.

Remember to create an arc to the engine from the wire. DONT HOLD IT, as you learned, just lean it up against it and then spin the engine over. testing in the evening is not only cooler but makes it easier to see.

I agree with the comment on the relays. Just because it "LOOKS" good doesn't mean that it is.

Good luck
Sam.