1995 325i - Starting Issues - United Bimmer Community

**scrichy84** · 03-15-2006, 10:59 AM

I have a 95 325i and my car is doing the no start issue. Last Wednesday I started it up, moved it about 10 feet, and shut it off. The next day, it was about 32 degrees out, I went to start it up and it would not start. Any ideas on how I go about getting it started?

**c1apton** · 03-15-2006, 11:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by scrichy84

I have a 95 325i and my car is doing the no start issue. Last Wednesday I started it up, moved it about 10 feet, and shut it off. The next day, it was about 32 degrees out, I went to start it up and it would not start. Any ideas on how I go about getting it started?

Going to need more info... does it crank over?..smoothly? (Here's a stupid question -Is it in Park/nuetral? - don't laugh it's been known to happen) Is it getting spark, fuel?

**komodo** · 03-15-2006, 12:47 PM

Welcome to UB first of all!

I split this thread off the other where you asked this question, to hopefully get more attention (rather than people missing it because it's in the middle of another thread).

Just letting you know so you're not confused.

**scrichy84** · 03-15-2006, 01:02 PM

I crank and crank and it sounds like it wants to fire but it won't, a little blue smoke coming out. I tried starting fluid - Nothing. I disconnected the battery thinking maybe the car was confused, reconnected it - Same thing happenening. I've been on the internet all morning trying to figure this out. The battery is not dead and it is in park.

Lets see if I can type the sound. Ninnanya, Ninnanya, Ninnanya, Ninnanya, Ninnanya, ploa, plao, plao, plao (trying to start), Ninnanya, Ninnanya, Ninnanya, Ninnanya, ploa, ploa, plao and it keeps going and going and going!

**c1apton** · 03-15-2006, 01:12 PM

I'd first get a battery reading -w/voltmeter. If it's low it will crank but not start (ignition requires 11.5 volts minimum) Test the battery straightaway, then while cranking. If that checks out, pull fuel line and have someone crank it for you - see if fuel pump is working. You also might want to pull a spark plug or two - make sure they're not soaked in fuel. I know these sound like a pain in the A$$ (especially when cold) but just trying to save you from towing it to a shop to get raped.

witeshark · 03-15-2006, 01:15 PM

Can you check the fuel pump? When my car acted that way, that was the problem

**scrichy84** · 03-15-2006, 01:16 PM

Sounds like a couple good places to start. I'll try to keep the forum updated. I havn't found any posting of what people did to fix the problem. They all stop with the suggestions. Everyone keep throwing your suggestions at me!

**c1apton** · 03-15-2006, 01:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by witeshark

Can you check the fuel pump? When my car acted that way, that was the problem

Yea it's easy, pull fuel line (under hood) turn key to position two and pump should start pumping fuel.

**scrichy84** · 03-15-2006, 01:21 PM

The only reason I wouldn't think it is the fuel pump is I sprayed starting fluid into the trottle body and it wouldn't even start off of that.

**scrichy84** · 03-17-2006, 11:08 PM

Well guys, its has been 8 days without my car, I'm sick of having to borrow my wife's, and I finally fixed it. The other morning when I was trying to start it in the cold weather, I fouled (fowled) the plugs and so I replaced them with some new bosch platinums and it started up great with a jump from my truck. Thank god that is over and it only set me back $26.

witeshark · 03-17-2006, 11:30 PM

Great repair post!

**scrichy84** · 03-17-2006, 11:44 PM

Thanks!

**komodo** · 03-18-2006, 01:30 AM

Oh, I've heard Bosch Platinums can wreck havoc on e36's. There has been endless discussion about it, and it seems the overall consensus is to use the stock Bosch Coppers.

Let us know how the platinums make the car run/feel.

**scrichy84** · 03-20-2006, 09:19 AM

I put in the platinum +2, not the +4, I couldn't bring myself to pay 6+ dollars a piece for a spark plug. They seem to give a little quicker response and seem to smooth my idle a little, although I do need to clean my ICV.

One another note, my ASC light has been on since I got my car running again. Any common problems anyone knows about?

**Rob** · 03-21-2006, 02:01 PM

You probably should have not jumped the car. Bad idea. You could easily roast the ECU when doing so. Either invest in a BMW battery starter kit which I think is 80 bucks at the dealer, or take the battery out and get AutoZone or someplace similar to charge and test it for you. Try to disconnect the battery for 10 minutes or so and see if that clears the ASC light. You may want to get your alternator tested as well, mine went bye bye in cold weather.