BMW Fuel Pump Dying Characteristic

[anaksarawak]

May I suggest a workshop to have your car checked? Kuchai Lama, ENOS. Behind Maybank. Look for Ah Jong.. I seen him fixed a 525 with the same problem

 

[Iqlima]

Iglima, i didn't try this, what can you tell about this test?

Thanks.

Very famous tool to start engine direct from battery + (pin 14) to starter.Key in position 2 to supply the fuel. If you can start the car then you can rule out fuel pump,crank sensor as well starter and other stuff related to start up the engine.

My car have problem to start again if I turn off after run in hot day or especially after long traffic, from report it suspect ignition switch issue etc but I can live with it.

http://www.genco1.com/tech_tip_details.cfm?id=32

 

[wan520i]

Technicians should be aware that repeated starter failure on almost all
BMW built between 1984-1994 is due to a bad or sticking ignition switch
assembly. The vehicles affected are E30, E32, E34 and E36 which for those
who may not be familiar with BMW designation means any vehicle from 318I
to 850 CSI.

Service bulletin 120393 (3824) dated May 1995 outlines the problem
requiring the replacement of the ignition lock cylinder, ignition switch and the
starter. Additionally a special starter protection relay has been developed that
should be wired into the starting system.

Check with the BMW dealers because some of these are a (free-of-
charge) fix if the vehicle qualifies.


Source: Electrical Connection
11/98

Iglima, the above quote is copied from the link you given, THANKS for the tips.
But I think I don't have any problem with my car starter, the engine can still be cranked...

Today went oustation & came back..woo.., :smokin: thanks god, no problem today..somemore "tekan minyak" untill 190km/h at highway..hehe.

 

[wan520i]

geoffreylee, THANKS for your recommendation...,

Cari Ah Jong, but takut nanti kena "jong" wor..., just joking.

 

[anaksarawak]

Sometime I wonder why we all buy such old car.. and kept sending it to the workshops?

Guess..

1. Tak cukup budget buy new.
2. Love for BMW
3. Conti
4. ..bla bla..
5. TT

 

[wiramod11]

wira, hard to say about your problem. never ever encounter it before..

1. can you determine where the "whhhheeeeww" sound is coming from? Front or rear of the car?

2. When did you last change your sparks plugs, fuel filter?

3. Any smell of petrol when you fill to full tank?

1. The "wheeeeww" sound comes from left side from the front. (passenger side)
2. Sparks plugs i think this year and fuel filter no idea. (As you guys will notice i just got the car near end of the May month this year. (The last owner had full services at AB until last year he did services at outside mechanic).
3. Nope no smell of petrol when i fill to full tank.

For info it only happens when everytime i fill up petrol. When i didn't fill up petrol.. the car can start with only 1 crank.. looks fine.

 

[jarance]

1. The "wheeeeww" sound comes from left side from the front. (passenger side)
2. Sparks plugs i think this year and fuel filter no idea. (As you guys will notice i just got the car near end of the May month this year. (The last owner had full services at AB until last year he did services at outside mechanic).
3. Nope no smell of petrol when i fill to full tank.

For info it only happens when everytime i fill up petrol. When i didn't fill up petrol.. the car can start with only 1 crank.. looks fine.

woh!!! you sure have a very strange problem.

1. front passenger side.. could that be the aircon vane moving sound i.e. open when the car start.

2. Change the fuel filter if you are not sure. It not so expensive.

3. No smell.. That a good sign. At least, there is no loose hose and damage hoses.

Sinc it is related to filling petrol, can you try this test.

a. open the petrol cap, check whether there is some air coming out when you turn the cap. i.e. check whether the tank is slightly pressurised.

b. open the cap and close it back without filling petrol. check whether you can start the car with 1 crank.

c. try filling at other petrol station other than your regular filling station. Sometime old petrol station have a reputation of giving unpure stuff.

 

[wiramod11]

yah jarance bro.. really weird.. i haven't got the time to send to mechanic to check yet. But want to check with you all what are the issue basically.

1. nope i ask my wife to seat at the side and test it was not the aircond vane sound. It seems to be coming underneath.
2. Well that was what i was thinking to do in another few more weeks to change the fuel filter. Do you have any idea how much it will cost?
3. Ahh.. i didn't try open petrol cap and close it back. But so far when i was filling the petrol.. don't feel any air coming out when i open the cap. Been filling in 4 different petrol station and it the same issue. (Mostly i went to the petrol station that have a lot of customer cause this will ensure i get a good oil instead old oil)

 

[wan520i]

jarance, pussy or other sifus,

If crank sensor faulty, can the starter still turn to move the flywheel (cranking)?

 

[jarance]

jarance, pussy or other sifus,

If crank sensor faulty, can the starter still turn to move the flywheel (cranking)?

yes, cranking of the flywhell via the starter is available but if crankshaft sensor is faulty, it will DISABLE the fuel pump and ignition. So without petrol and ignition, I think it is impossible to start the car.

 

[jarance]

yah jarance bro.. really weird.. i haven't got the time to send to mechanic to check yet. But want to check with you all what are the issue basically.

1. nope i ask my wife to seat at the side and test it was not the aircond vane sound. It seems to be coming underneath.
2. Well that was what i was thinking to do in another few more weeks to change the fuel filter. Do you have any idea how much it will cost?
3. Ahh.. i didn't try open petrol cap and close it back. But so far when i was filling the petrol.. don't feel any air coming out when i open the cap. Been filling in 4 different petrol station and it the same issue. (Mostly i went to the petrol station that have a lot of customer cause this will ensure i get a good oil instead old oil)

1. good one to ask the wifey to check for you..LOL. Sugguest that you cme to one our TT and let some of the sifu hear the sound.. Would really like to know what is the root cause. (Don't know whther it is related to your problem but it is interesting)

2. For E36, depend on where you go, around RM60 to 80. Labour depends on the mechanic

3. try open and close the cap and see what happen.

 

[wan520i]

jarance,

I came to know there is a valve in the petrol filler cap there, what function exactly of that filler cap valve? In fact, one of the occasion my car couldn't start after opened that cap..., please elaborate. Btw, BMW has a special tool to check leak of that filler cap.

Thanks.

 

[wiramod11]

jarance bro, .. would love to come to join TT.. but my working hour is at odd hours. So hard for me to find the time.. but i would really love to join the TT.. PM me for the next TT so that i can arrange time to come over

Yup..ask my wife to listen cause i just don't want myself to listen at least i can get second opinion.
Well yesterday night i did what you told me. I don't start the car.. open up my petrol cap and close it back. And crank the car.. it just started without problem.
Okie.. so the fuel filter is around rm60-80..cool.. for 318i E36 car which has 8 years old.. i guess it's better to change the fuel filter...

And this is really strange thing.. which i can't figure out why.. arrghh!!.

 

[jarance]

jarance,

I came to know there is a valve in the petrol filler cap there, what function exactly of that filler cap valve? In fact, one of the occasion my car couldn't start after opened that cap..., please elaborate. Btw, BMW has a special tool to check leak of that filler cap.

Thanks.

A proper fitting BMW fuel cap will prevent the leakage of fuel vapors from the fuel filler neck. A leaking or missing gas caps can result in the loss of 40 litres of petrol per year into the atmosphere. In the case of pressure built up, there should be a pressure relief valve to prevent this. Some newer model from 1997 onward have a fuel expansion tank.

BTW, the fuel filler cap is similar to the radiator cap.

I remember stud daddy have a faulty cap and it cause the fuel vapour to leak thru it. (Nothing related to the problem of this thread)

 

[jarance]

jarance bro, .. would love to come to join TT.. but my working hour is at odd hours. So hard for me to find the time.. but i would really love to join the TT.. PM me for the next TT so that i can arrange time to come over

Yup..ask my wife to listen cause i just don't want myself to listen at least i can get second opinion.
Well yesterday night i did what you told me. I don't start the car.. open up my petrol cap and close it back. And crank the car.. it just started without problem.
Okie.. so the fuel filter is around rm60-80..cool.. for 318i E36 car which has 8 years old.. i guess it's better to change the fuel filter...

And this is really strange thing.. which i can't figure out why.. arrghh!!.

OK we have narrow down to a few thing.

1. Fill to full tank, cannot start at first crank.

2. Drive around until half tank (assuming this), open cap and close cap, can start car at first crank. (Please confirm the fuel tank level)

3. Try this test.. When fuel tank near empty, try filling only to half full ONLY and see whether you have the same problem. i.e. cannot start at first crank
I am not sure whether this test would serve any purpose but curious to find out the outcome.

 

[wiramod11]

yup.
1. yes.
2. Fuel tank is around half or quater or before lights up. (the level of fuel)
3. Hmm.. this one i think i can only do it next week. Currently full tank now. I will drop by to my mechanic next week on weekdays to ask around. See what is their diagnostics on this as well.

Will keep update on this. Thanks a lot jarance bro.

 

[wan520i]

Just check the crank shaft sensor resistance by using ohmmeter, it read 395 ohms only, whereby the specs is 1280 ohms +/- 10%.

It seems the coils inside is very sick & weak, but still try its best to perform....aiyo...i am so touch. :top:

I think is quite obvious that the sensor need replacement.

Will change it and update you guys...THANKS FOR YOUR INPUTS!

BTW, anybody know where can get best price for the sensor?I asked around, some offer 2 hundred plus, another shop offer 3 hundred plus..

 

[wan520i]

Pls refer to new thread BMW CPS.

Thanks.

 

[wiramod11]

well last weekend.. try to pump the petrol at before 1 quarter of the fuel meter and it still the same issue.

 

[anaksarawak]

well last weekend.. try to pump the petrol at before 1 quarter of the fuel meter and it still the same issue.

Hi Bro..

Have you solved your problem? I am keen to know what caused this funny problem.

In this thread, many said its the fuel pump, fuel filter and etc.. have you changed it?