1999 bmw e36 328ic convertible

[Tampa_Craig]

need advice. own a 1999 e36 328ic convertible. engine turns over but doesn't start. friend hooked up a under steering wheel and all electronics "good". battery good. all scheduled maintenance done 10k miles ago... engine turns to start car but engine doesn't start. any ideas?

[96_323]

A few places to start looking:

Getting fuel? Disconnect the fuel rail and get someone to try start the car.
Getting air? Disconnect the air intake and with your hand over the intake pipe get someone to start the car, no suction on your hand means no air in engine.
Getting spark? Follow H.T leads back to the distributor cap.

If none of them work let us know, theres a few more things to check. Very hard to diagnose something you cant hear, see or touch!!

[big AL]

check your airflow meter plug is on properly.

[96_323]

Did you fix it?

[vicjerry007]

[quote]need advice. own a 1999 e36 bmw 328ic parts convertible. engine turns over but doesn't start. friend hooked up a under steering wheel and all electronics "good". battery good. all scheduled maintenance done 10k miles ago... engine turns to start car but engine doesn't start. any ideas?

[Andy P]

actually if you look in the fuse/relay box you should see 2 relays, check that these are both Ok as I was told by a mechanic (after my 328i was broken into) that removing one of these will allow the engine to turn over but not start. I forget which relay though!!

Andy P

[Andy P]

Another bit of help, I hope.
This morning I spoke to my Mechanic:_ Look under the fuse box cover there are two more relays under another cover. If you remove the relay nearest the bulkhead the motor will turn but run either very badly or not at all, but it will turn. I tried it this AM and he is correct. possibly that relay is not OK.
As a hint, if you leave the car for some time remove that relay and it cannot be driven away. Don't forget though when you get back to it!!