BMW 323 i 1996 Not Starting - United Bimmer Community

**BMW323i1996** · 04-19-2012, 03:00 AM

I have a BMW 323 i 1996 model, i have knowledge of the basic workings of an engine but i need help with this one.

The car was totally fine, it started one morning with no problems then the night it just didn't want to start, the engine turns, its at that point where it just wants to start but doesn't, it started once but died instantly. When the engine turns you can smell petrol so i ques it shouldn't be fuel delivery. I then removed all spark plugs separately and checked if everyone fired and they did.

So anyone with ideas please help me

DEATH2000 · 04-19-2012, 10:07 AM

Where can you smell petrol? On the E36 the fuel pump is underneath the rear seats. If you pull them up you can see it. Check to make sure fuel isn't leaking and listen to hear if it's working.

**BMW323i1996** · 04-19-2012, 11:28 AM

Thanks, I did do that, the fuel pump comes on only for 5 seconds after i turn the key to ON, then it stops, according to me the fuel pump should constantly run, or is it just me? I manually connected the fuel pump to the battery and it runs fine, so is it the computer or what?

DEATH2000 · 04-19-2012, 12:28 PM

When you turn it to the on position without starting the engine the fuel pump primes itself. Since you can hear it I don't think it's your fuel pump. It could be your ICV. When mine failed the car would start and die instantly unless I gave it throttle.

**BMW323i1996** · 04-19-2012, 12:54 PM

Would you suggest that i Clean the ICV or should i just take it to a mechanic?

DEATH2000 · 04-19-2012, 01:05 PM

I would start by cleaning it. See if that works first.

**BMW323i1996** · 04-19-2012, 01:14 PM

Thanks, Just one more thing, if i remove the hose that the fuel pump pumps into, it still cuts out after about 3 seconds, it that also normal?

**glendueck** · 04-19-2012, 01:17 PM

I have a 1987 BMW 735i, I need to replace the Driver side mirror, anyone done this before?

By the way I love my ride!

Thank you to all who reply!

Glen

DEATH2000 · 04-19-2012, 01:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BMW323i1996

Thanks, Just one more thing, if i remove the hose that the fuel pump pumps into, it still cuts out after about 3 seconds, it that also normal?

Given the age of the vehicle it's possible the fuel pump isn't able to provide enough fuel to start the car. Did fuel come out when you took the hose off and primed it?

**BMW323i1996** · 04-24-2012, 05:21 AM

So i took it to the mechanic, fuel pressure was fine, gave spark, crank sensor fine, Now the weird part, he said the battery was old and wasnt sending enough volts to the car, the volts were enough to keep the fuel pressure at 3 bar but the problem came in with the injectors or rail or whatever, the injectors didnt have enough power to cut the fuel of so the fuel pump kept pumping petrol into the engine and flooding it.
So all he did was clean the cylinders and buy a new battery and now its fine.
Hopefully this will help someone else in the future as well.
Thanks for the help guys

**inkjetter** · 05-07-2012, 03:44 AM

Big thanks for the info