Discussion
Took the 350i out for a spin in the sunshine and trickling along on the traffic it just died. Felt like either no spark or fuel. It turned over fine but wouldn't fire.
Initial checks showed I had a healthy spark and there was fuel under pressure in the fuel rail.
I put a couple of gallons in the tank just to be 100% sure there was enough fuel as I was low.
Took out some plugs, they were dry. Unplugged the ecu and plugged it back in, checked all other obvious connections.
Tried to start it and it did fire, chug for a few seconds and then cut out.
Tow truck arrived by then so it's now tucked up in the garage with a charger connected - awaiting a sharp tap of the hammer.....
Any ideas? My gut feel is that the injectors aren't firing continually for some reason.
Initial checks showed I had a healthy spark and there was fuel under pressure in the fuel rail.
I put a couple of gallons in the tank just to be 100% sure there was enough fuel as I was low.
Took out some plugs, they were dry. Unplugged the ecu and plugged it back in, checked all other obvious connections.
Tried to start it and it did fire, chug for a few seconds and then cut out.
Tow truck arrived by then so it's now tucked up in the garage with a charger connected - awaiting a sharp tap of the hammer.....
Any ideas? My gut feel is that the injectors aren't firing continually for some reason.
Fuel, Air, Spark and Compression are the four things required.
check these to see if one is missing
had problem with mine once with the power resistor (silver box that sits on passenger side inner wing) that sends signal to the injectors firing, it had got some corrosion on the inside, just needed a clean.
how did you know you had fuel pressure in rail, have you an inline gauge?
check these to see if one is missing
had problem with mine once with the power resistor (silver box that sits on passenger side inner wing) that sends signal to the injectors firing, it had got some corrosion on the inside, just needed a clean.
how did you know you had fuel pressure in rail, have you an inline gauge?
Edited by al 350i on Monday 8th April 19:33
al 350i said:
had problem with mine once with the power resistor (silver box that sits on passenger side inner wing) that sends signal to the injectors firing, it had got some corrosion on the inside, just needed a clean.
I did pull the connector out and re-seat it - will check it again. I have a spare somewhere I think.Edited by al 350i on Monday 8th April 19:33
Bullet connector in the ECU trigger line, somewhere under the airflow meter, prone to crusting up and stopping the ECU from seeing that the ignition is firing.
Ignition on, stab the throttle, do you hear all the injectors click together? If so, try a few repeated stabs then turn the key and you may find it'll fire briefly. That would tend to support the ECU not getting a trigger signal.
Ignition on, stab the throttle, do you hear all the injectors click together? If so, try a few repeated stabs then turn the key and you may find it'll fire briefly. That would tend to support the ECU not getting a trigger signal.
Oh dear, could be a case of ECU dry-jointitis! Try thumping the ECU a few times (I'm not kidding, I'd still be at Wedgefest '06 if it wasn't for that trick). If it starts working, it's time to get the covers off and get busy with the soldering iron.
Any other wedgers locally with whom you can play swaps to prove one way or the other?
Any other wedgers locally with whom you can play swaps to prove one way or the other?
I did resolder all the joints when I first got the car back in '97 so they are probably due for another going over.
I've got a spare ECU I bought off flee in amongst a crate of efi bits including most of the setup. No idea what they were off, I'd guess a Range Rover. Foolishly I've never tested them, I'll swap the ecu first as it will be quick / easy.
I've got a spare ECU I bought off flee in amongst a crate of efi bits including most of the setup. No idea what they were off, I'd guess a Range Rover. Foolishly I've never tested them, I'll swap the ecu first as it will be quick / easy.
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