635 (e24) won't start

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Dru Abrams - 31 Mar 2005 09:37 GMT

Hi all, hopefully someone can help me.

I've always done a great job at maintaining my 1986 635csi (us), but for
the last 5 weeks I have neglected to drive it.

Its stored at a local NYC parking garage, and once the battery went
dead, god knows what they might have done to it...i.e. jumpstarting it,
jumping on it, who knows :)

The starting is working, the fan is spinning, but the car won't start.

I read the manual and it suggests testing that fuel is getting to the
fuel pump by "compressing the fuel hose to the cold start valve".

I'm not really sure what the cold start valve looks like, and more
importantly (and yes I'm very ashamed) where the fuel pump is located.

Can anyone provide a link with an image of the engine compartment that
shows where the fuel pump is?

Also, I suppose its possible that if the car was improperly jumped or
otherwise monkeyed with, a fuse or relay blew out somewhere...

Since the starter is working, and the fuel pump fuse looks intact, what
other relay's might be a culprit?

I'd really appreciate any help anyone can offer...I live in constant
fear of getting totally and completely raped by local mechanics (I miss
my San Francisco mechanic dearly). And I suspect this is probably a
very simple problem that I could fix if I only knew what to look for...

Any help much appreciated.
Best!
Dru

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william Ako - 31 Mar 2005 16:06 GMT

Join AAA and call them out. they should fix or diagnose problem.

> Hi all, hopefully someone can help me.
>
[quoted text clipped - 29 lines]
> Best!
> Dru

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Vernon Balbert - 31 Mar 2005 18:34 GMT

<ma2dnW_Tm7ZZKdbfRVn-gQ@rcn.net>, dru@persistentvisions.com went
clickity-clack on the keyboard and spewed out this:

> Can anyone provide a link with an image of the engine compartment that
> shows where the fuel pump is?

It's where it is on all cars sold in the U.S.: The fuel tank.

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Bob Kegel - 30 Mar 2005 02:56 GMT

> It's where it is on all cars sold in the U.S.: The fuel tank.

The other pump is above the right rear axle.

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John Burns - 01 Apr 2005 11:29 GMT

> It's where it is on all cars sold in the U.S.: The fuel tank.

On euro cars it's next to the filter, behind the rear wheel on the US
passenger side. I think US cars also have an in-tank pump though.

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C.R. Krieger - 31 Mar 2005 19:04 GMT

> Hi all, hopefully someone can help me.
>
> I've always done a great job at maintaining my 1986 635csi (us), but for
> the last 5 weeks I have neglected to drive it.
>
> I read the manual and it suggests testing that fuel is getting to the

> fuel pump by "compressing the fuel hose to the cold start valve".
>
[quoted text clipped - 3 lines]
> Can anyone provide a link with an image of the engine compartment that
> shows where the fuel pump is?

As another poster already mentioned, the fuel pump is in the tank. The
cold start valve is a nearly impossible-to-see little thing on the
bottom of the middle of your intake manifold. You may be able to trace
the line to it that comes off about 2/3 of the way back along the fuel
rail and goes down through a hole between manifold runners. However,
if it hasn't been replaced, there's *no way in hell* I'd recommend
pinching it! It is old, brittle, and surprising that it isn't leaking
already. Of course, if it is, that's your problem right there. Look
for fuel dribbling down the left (driver's) side of the engine about in
the middle. Relacing that line is a delicate operation, but it can be
done cheaply in about a half-hour as long as the *plastic* CSV isn't
broken in the process. Search this group (alt.autos.bmw) for my name
(Krieger) and 'vasectomy' (You'll see why.) to find my writeup of the
procedure.

For a simple test of the fuel pressure, there's a fuel pressure
regulator at the front of the fuel rail. The hoses are easy to reach
(and easier to replace if you break one) there to see if there's
pressure in the system. If you decide to look there, be aware that the
fuel will squirt out quickly and for a distance. You should be ready
to contain it immediately when opening the system.

> Also, I suppose its possible that if the car was improperly jumped or

> otherwise monkeyed with, a fuse or relay blew out somewhere...
>
> Since the starter is working, and the fuel pump fuse looks intact, what
> other relay's might be a culprit?

There's a *Main Relay* that often fails to work. It is electrically
identical with one or two other superfluous (under the circumstances)
relays, so veterans will often switch it with the a/c relay or a
headlight relay just to get going. *Real* veterans carry a spare in
the glovebox! However, you need to know which is which in there to try
this.

> I'd really appreciate any help anyone can offer...I live in constant
> fear of getting totally and completely raped by local mechanics (I miss
> my San Francisco mechanic dearly).

OK; a couple of suggestions here. First, for a quick response, hit the
Roadfly E24 forum and ask who's local to you. Then ask for
recommendations for a suitable service facility. For a slower
response, I'd recommend you join BMW CCA and get in touch with your
local chapter. Great folks with a wealth of knowledge.

> And I suspect this is probably a
> very simple problem that I could fix if I only knew what to look for...

Maybe; maybe not. It's a fairly simple machine compared to today's
cars, but it has its quirks.
--
C.R. Krieger
(Been there; done that)

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John Burns - 01 Apr 2005 11:32 GMT

The Motronic and fuel pump relays hang off the front of the fuse box.
They're cheap and it's sensible to replace both.

If it's been sitting I've seen condensation inside the distributor cap
(or an ancient rotor arm) stop an M30 from starting.

Check the connections to the Motronic speed and TDC sensor on the
flywheel housing are secure, or it won't start. Check at the sensors and
where they join the main wiring harness just above the inlet manifold
(on a little bracket).

Could also be a dodgy car alarm.

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Nicik Name - 02 Apr 2005 04:40 GMT

> Hi all, hopefully someone can help me.
>
[quoted text clipped - 27 lines]
> very simple problem that I could fix if I only knew what to look for...
> wrong news group queen

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Dru Abrams - 16 Jun 2005 07:22 GMT

Just wanted to post a summation on this!

First all thanks for all the help here and at bmw roadfly. Both were
really helpful in troubleshooting.

In the end I narrowed it down to what I figured was a faulty fuel pump.

I brought the car into Brownfeld Auto in NYC today. They said both fuel
pumps were dead, replaced both for $650.

So, long story short, I'm back up and running, but out some decent
mulah. Could be worse. :)

Thanks again all, you've been great!
Dru

> Hi all, hopefully someone can help me.
>
[quoted text clipped - 30 lines]
> Best!
> Dru

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