Strange, Dunno Whats Wrong..

[tongsatriani]

Dear All,This is the scenario:Scenario 1:Aug 5, 2005 I went to The Curve in the afternoons for a great shopping. With heavy loads on my hands, I call it a day at 930pm. When to my UDM, unload my bags, crank, it wun start. Crank, crank, crank (it crank as per normal but it just wun VRROOMM) , still not working. Check my lightings, stereo & alarm, there are working. So, battery is not the culprit. Tried again, same thing. Called my mech, let him listen to my cranking, he says leave the car there & he will fix it the next day. The next day, me & my mech reach there at 12pm. Wohlah! With just a crank it started! Off engine, try again, no worries! My mech says MOST probably the culprit is teh key. Huh?? Fine...end of woes.Scenario 2:Sept 20, 2005 Starting of my day to work, went down to my UDM, insert my key, crank, not starting. Crank, crank, crank (it crank as per normal but it just wun VRROOMM) , still the same. Try shifting from "P" to "N" & vice versa, also same. Check on my electrical equipments, there are all working well. As of now, I am off with taxi to work. My UDM is lying down at my home, hopefully it can start when I am home.Can Sifus enlighten me? :cry: How could an UDM fail me when I needed it?My observation is:1. This happens only during cold start. My cold start tend to crank slightly longer (1-2 seconds longer) compared to a hot engine.

 

[jeffreyewe]

Sound like your ignition switch is worn and having bad contact.

 

[fabianyee]

If the engine can crank then it's not the ignition key problem...
It can be one of the sensors, or the fuel pump... plug in MODIC to diagnose...

 

[flash]

Hmmmm, 2 E34s currently with starting problems.... yours and lipisbimmer's.... hope it is not a "virus" spreading.

 

[moots]

Bro......check the fuel pump.measure the output pressure.no i don't have the correct value.search the net.

could also be the crank position sensor.check the resistance value as well and no i don't have the range.

 

[jarance]

Originally posted by moots@Sep 20 2005, 06:17 PM
Bro......check the fuel pump.measure the output pressure.no i don't have the correct value.search the net.

could also be the crank position sensor.check the resistance value as well and no i don't have the range.

If the crankshaft sensor is kaput, the fuel pump is automatically cut off. I have the same problem (i.e. crankshaft sensor and the pump is OFF). At first i thought it was the fuel pump until I bypass the circuit and proved that the pump is running but still could not start the car. replace the sensor and the car start in one crank.

 

[moots]

Yes Jarance,that is right.

I unfortunately,experienced both these defects.

Once kenot start and I was in Ipoh.The fuel pump fixed it.This was approx 4-5 years ago.

The other time kenot start was about 6 months ago.was on my way home from work.Found the CPS high resistance.Changed it and voila like you said.....started in one crank.

 

[tongsatriani]

Mine start with one crank also everytime but why this starting failure happens only once in a month? Me pening liao ler :beaten: Err,,,where to do MODIC? What it is ah? I'm still at work now. Will try start it later, hope it starts! Will let you all in for details.... :cry:

 

[tongsatriani]

Dear All,

Well, came home at 8pm..prayed hard so my UDM will VROOOMM...crank, still the same :cry: Ding Chavez was with me, he went to the exhaust, I cranked; Ding says there is cool air gushing out but no smell of fuel at all. We tried a few times to reaffirm it still the same. Cool air but no fuel smell

So, this is our verdict/the culprit (mind us as we young Padawan apperentices):
1. Immobilizer System: As it is linked to the fuel system
2. Crank Positioning System aka Crank Sensor
3. Fuel Pump? (Quite unlikely?)

Since my car is at my home and there is a Volvo, Merc & Conti Specialist just below my unit, I'll get them to rectify it 1st (my best bet, rite? Though I had not seen a UDM being serviced there). Will try start again tomorrow I got no idea at all on how to measure output pressure as told by moots.

Need some guide to the pricing of CPS, Fuel Pump or watever so I wun get ketuk ler...Arigato

 

[jarance]

Originally posted by flash@Sep 20 2005, 04:57 PM
Hmmmm, 2 E34s currently with starting problems.... yours and lipisbimmer's.... hope it is not a "virus" spreading.

i think both of their problem is slightly different.

1. Tongs - can crank the engine but cannot start the car sometime.
2. lips - cannot crank the engine and cannot start the car

 

[tongsatriani]

Hello Everyone I just came back & UDM has been fixed (hopefully.. Here is the story....

This morning, I call up Heritage & they send in 2 mechs. They check & found there is no spark from my plugs but fuel is delivered to the engine as they can feel flowing movements on the hoses. Changed the plug relay, crank, still down . Then CPS is changed. Crank, still down! d#*n. This will cost me a bomb! Changing uneccessarily. One mech check my fuel pump at the back with a tester & found it ok coz there is some kind of movement or response when engine is cranked. Then the mech called Andy (Asst Mgr), suggest towing to their workshop. DANG! My UDM was pulled into a big tow lorry as I against towing due to my lowered specs.

Reach there, Yap (Chief Mech) MODIC & found Immobolizer is active. Disable it & crank still can't. MODIC, MODIC, MODIC then he check on fuel pump at the back. Give it a few knock with a hammer while cranking, Woh Lah! It's alive! He suggest changing the fuel pump as it is going to be "kaput". His version is that the fuel pump may work on & off. Since fuel pumps unservicable, I got no choice.

On my UDM, the ECU or DME will auto cut-off other components if any other fails. That's why when my fuel pump failed, spark plugs ain't working too.

Here is the breakdown price:

1. Towing - 200
2. Fuel Pump - 750
3. Labour - 100

They took back the new relay & CPS without asking & without charging it. Well, at least I don't have to pay for something I don't need, rite?

Just to share with you guys. I not sure at all on pricing Hope Heritage is sincere as I told them I was recommended by fellow BMW members. Pass on some comments, ok? Thank you to you all

 

[fabianyee]

Let us know if it's really the fuel pump problem...

 

[tongsatriani]

It's the fuel pump. I got it changed by Heritage already. I paid the above price. It's done but I didn't take back the old pump. Should I take it back from them?

 

[jarance]

Could have saved you the RM200 towing charge if the mechanic have got the spare pump with them.

When I have a similar breakdown, the mech brought the CPS, spare pump and other things that is need to attend to the breakdown.

 

[tongsatriani]

They did bring a fuel pump along but the tester give it an OK coz there is flow reading & response. But the conclusion is the fuel pump at fault. I begin to feel sceptical now..Hmmm...

 

[fabianyee]

Originally posted by tongsatriani@Sep 21 2005, 04:23 PM
They did bring a fuel pump along but the tester give it an OK coz there is flow reading & response. But the conclusion is the fuel pump at fault. I begin to feel sceptical now..Hmmm...

 

[flash]

Originally posted by fabianyee+Sep 21 2005, 04:34 PM-->QUOTE (fabianyee @ Sep 21 2005, 04:34 PM)

 

[fabianyee]

Originally posted by flash@Sep 21 2005, 04:42 PM

If using a non-BMW fuel pump works for you, it might also work for an E34? :unsure:

maybe get tong to get back the fuel pump and get then go find a compatible non-BMW fuel pump.. cos if got no sample how to see lah???

 

[tongsatriani]

Yalor Fab, that day we had discussion on maxing out fuel. Now my fuel pump kaput liao Suwey betul la! Will not let high & dry anymore. They said an ori e30 fuel pump cost 1k++. The most expensive of all models!

I'll get the fuel pump back & show to u guys during TT. But to use a compatible ones, a modification is needed. Let u guys in!

 

[fabianyee]

Originally posted by tongsatriani@Sep 21 2005, 05:14 PM
Yalor Fab, that day we had discussion on maxing out fuel. Now my fuel pump kaput liao Suwey betul la! Will not let high & dry anymore. They said an ori e30 fuel pump cost 1k++. The most expensive of all models!

I'll get the fuel pump back & show to u guys during TT. But to use a compatible ones, a modification is needed. Let u guys in!

I asked for the price for the E30 in-tank fuel pump less than 6 months ago and was quoted