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E30 BMW Won’t Start – Troubleshooting Guide

E30 BMW Won't Start — Troubleshooting Guide

Cars, even the ones as old as the legendary E30, are complex machines. Every time you turn the ignition, a number of processes and systems have to come online and work together to start the engine and keep it running. What happens when you turn the ignition in your E30 3-series, and the engine refuses to start? How do you diagnose the problem? Let’s find out.

The Trifecta of Gasoline Engines

A no-start condition in any gasoline engine means that you’re missing one or more of the following:

  • Spark
  • Fuel
  • Compression

That being said, we’ll only deal with the first two problems as compression is rarely the cause of the no-start condition. If you still want to check for compression, you’ll need a compression test kit and a good one at that.

No-start shouldn’t be confused with no-crank. If your engine isn’t cranking when you turn the ignition on, that means you’re dealing with a bad battery or a bad starter motor in most cases. You can check the battery by taking it to a shop that has a battery testing tool.

You’re looking for consistent voltage and cold cranking amps in the green. A no-crank condition could also be caused by a bad alternator that isn’t powering the battery, which in turn goes flat. For the purposes of this troubleshooting guide, we’ll assume that your engine is cranking but isn’t starting.

The first and easiest thing to check is whether there’s a spark.

Spark

To check for spark, you’ll want to either use an inline spark tester tool or do it the old school way using a spark plug or a screwdriver.

If you have a spare spark plug, you can use it, remove an ignition coil wire from one of the cylinders, insert the spark plug into the connector, and set the whole thing on an intake manifold or other neutral chunk of metal. Have someone crank the engine, and you should see the spark at the plug if there’s any.

The screwdriver trick works pretty much the same way. Instead of a spark plug, you take the screwdriver and stick it into the spark plug wire, and then you place the metal shaft of the now live screwdriver next to a metal surface (the intake manifold works great) about as close as a spark plug gap would be.

Have someone crank the engine and watch for the spark between the screwdriver and the intake manifold. A word of caution — ignition coils produce high voltage power. Use a screwdriver with an insulated handle, or you will get zapped.

If there’s no spark, we need to check the following:

  • The ECU (or DME as BMW likes to call it)
  • Ignition coil
  • Distributor
  • Relays
  • Spark plugs
  • Crankshaft Position Sensor

Spark plugs are the easiest to check. Simply remove each spark plug and check them for a gap as well as any damage. A damaged spark plug won’t be able to create a spark.

The next thing to check is the CPS. The BMW E30 isn’t an overly complicated car by today’s standards. Whereas modern 3-series are literally packed with all kinds of sensors and electronics, the BMW E30 used only one sensor to give the ECU all the timing data.

That sensor is the CPS. To locate the CPS, look for the cold side coolant hose. The CPS is right near that hose on the front of the engine.

E30 Radiator and Distributor The Trifecta of Gasoline Engines

e30 crankshaft position sensor cps E30 BMW Won't Start

Removing the CPS

To remove the CPS, you’ll need a 5 mm Allen key. Undo one bolt that’s holding it in place and remove the wire. Testing the CPS is slightly trickier and requires the use of a multi-meter. Set the meter to measure resistance (Ohm setting), and place the probes of the meter on the two pins of the CPS.

You’re looking for around 500 Ohms of resistance between the two. Generally speaking, any value from 470 to 550 should be good. Anything outside these values is a solid indicator that you’ll need to get a new one.

Checking the Ignition Coil

Older cars like the BMW E30 were built using simpler technologies. Unlike modern cars, the E30 has only one ignition coil. That one coil is providing the spark for all six cylinders. One of the reasons why no-start conditions are more frequent on older engines is using a single-coil. If it goes bad, you won’t be getting any spark in any of the cylinders.

The coil on BMW E30 has two input points (as pictured above) that should show voltage if you use your multi-meter to check them. If there’s power on these two points, remove the plug on top and check for spark using the same screwdriver trick.

e30 Checking the Ignition Coil

Check the Distributor

The distributor is a device that takes power from that single ignition coil and spreads it to the cylinders following a specific timing pattern. It is also the next thing you need to check. Remove the distributor cap, remove all spark plug wires and inspect the rotor inside the distributor for any signs of wear.

Next, inspect the wires leading to the distributor cap. Check and make sure that each wire is making solid contact with the distributor cap. If all is good here, we’re moving on to relays and fuses.

e30 distributor cap and wires

Check Relays and Fuses

Checking the fuses is relatively easy. Simply inspect each fuse and check to see if it’s broken or not. Relays are slightly more challenging to check. Start with the two unloader relays as pictured above. If bad, these two can cause a no-start condition.

If those are good, focus on the main relay and the fuel pump relay, as pictured below. The main relay is, well, important. If it’s dead, the engine won’t be getting any spark.

The fuel pump relay is also important as it provides the fuel pump with power once you turn the key to the accessory position before cranking the engine.

Check Relays and Fuses

 

The E30, at least the early versions, came with two fuel pumps — the one submerged inside the fuel tank and a high-pressure fuel pump sitting in front of the rear driver's side wheel. There are two ways you can check whether these pumps are working.

Fuel

If you’ve established that spark isn’t the problem, it’s time to check whether the engine is getting any fuel. There are several things you’ll want to check:

  • Fuel pumps (yep, there are sometimes two)
  • Fuel rail
  • Fuel pressure

Fuel Pumps

The E30, at least the early versions, came with two fuel pumps — the one submerged inside the fuel tank and a high-pressure fuel pump sitting in front of the rear driver’s side wheel. There are two ways you can check whether these pumps are working.

The easiest way is to simply listen for them engaging when you turn the key to accessory mode. You should hear the pump priming the fuel system. It will hum for a few seconds and then shut off. If you can’t hear the pumps, it’s time to inspect each individually.

The other method is much more rudimentary and involves removing the fuel line from the fuel rail and then cranking the engine. If there’s any fuel coming out of the fuel line, there’s a decent chance it’s not the fuel that is causing the problem.

Fuel Pressure

But wait, there’s a catch — simply having fuel pushed through the fuel line isn’t enough. It has to be pressurized. Unfortunately, the only way to check if your fuel pressure is good is to get a fuel pressure gauge and install it between the pumps and the fuel rail.

DME (ECU)

Testing the DME requires you to roll up your sleeves, get your multimeter and follow the diagram below. We’ve outlined what each pin is and how to check every single one. Keep in mind that this diagram is from the M20 fitted with 1.1 Motronic system. Your particular version of the BMW E30 could be running a different setup.

Testing the DME requires you to roll up your sleeves, get your multimeter and follow the diagram below. We've outlined what each pin is and how to check every single one. Keep in mind that this diagram is from the M20 fitted with 1.1 Motronic system. Your particular version of the BMW E30 could be running a different setup.

But wait, there's a catch — simply having fuel pushed through the fuel line isn't enough. It has to be pressurized. Unfortunately, the only way to check if your fuel pressure is good is to get a fuel pressure gauge and install it between the pumps and the fuel rail.

Also, check the following diagram for the location of essential engine components.

 

Be Patient and Methodical

The BMW E30 is an easy car to work on. That being said, troubleshooting a no-start condition will require you to be methodical and, most importantly, have enough patience. There are many things to check and double-check. The good thing is that finding the culprit behind a no-start condition usually leads to some of the parts that are easy to check.

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17 thoughts on “E30 BMW Won’t Start – Troubleshooting Guide

  1. Hello my name is ronaldo and i have a bmw 325e 32e 1984 and am having this issue .. so everything turns on including the fuel pump and all , but at first i though the main coil had gone bad , i replaced it but still dirint work i have no spark at all and the coil is getting voltage its just not creating spark .

    1. sounds like a definite crank shaft sensor gone bad your model will have x2 in gearbox bell housing. either one can be possible suspect for no spark, would advise changing both for the trouble. i have just changed mine and it was a terribly challenging job getting the old ones out.

  2. Thanks for the detail info, my car is an 1987 325e Automatic 2.6. I’ve own it since 1990, so I believe I am pretty familiar to it, but in this case, I am confused, the car actually starts 95% of the times, mostly at the second try (it cranks once and then the second crank starts the car).
    On the other 5% of the times, the car doesn’t start after few cranks or has no crank at all (but all electronics work).
    Need some advice on what to check or parts replace.

    1. Did you figure out the issue?
      I have an ’85 325e automatic. Third owner, and have owned since 2005. I’m having a similar issue, but not exactly the same: mine will start, but then shut off. For the 1-2 seconds the car is running, it sounds great. But then it just dies out. Any idea?

  3. i my name is Tim , i have a 84 bmw 328e , cranks but will not start 90% of the time , leave the car a couple of days and starts like nothing is wrong, crank sensor are new and signal, fuel pump not working at times but is good, coil is good, i wonder about security of on board computer , need help, also ecu has been replaced ,Thanks any help .

  4. Mine does it at random, one day it will not start then I wait a day and it starts up no problem. I’ve check plugs, fuel, relays everything, I just don’t understand why it starts back up after I leave it for a day.

  5. Hey I fringe a 1990 bmw 325i m20 b25, I went to start it after work yesterday and a loud knocking noise was appearant so I turned the car off after about 3 sec and trailered it home. It seemed as if it was an issue with the starter because after I shut it off I cranked reeealy slow, I replaced the starter but it’s still cranking the same, I have 12.13 volts at the post on the starter and car still will not start

  6. Please Help me !!!

    Hi Guys — I have a 1989 325 I Convertible, I replaced a In tank Fuel pump a year ago , that Hummed from day one . Just changed it out again with another New one .

    Now it wolnt Start , no Fuel in the Fuel pump line, I’m not sure why ?? When it was Working fine before.

    So I replaced the Main Relay , Fuel pump Relay – Checked ALL Fuses that I can Find.

    Seems there’s NO power at the Pump Connectors. Don’t know why ??

    Please help me .

    Thanks

    Norman

  7. thanks a lot now i know were to look thanks again i hope all this info helps me with all the trouble i have

  8. please help me! I have the e30 1990 320i coupe. electricity goes to the ignition coil (no: 15). output from the ignition coil (no: 1). but there is no spark from the ignition coil to the distributor. so the ignition coil does not spark! I just bought the ignition coil. I just bought the spark plug wiring. spark plugs just bought.

  9. My first step when a car won’t start is to spray gas from a bottle into the intake. I dealt with cars for years.
    Many wouldn’t run. This was fast and easy. If car starts…then dies…you’re pretty sure the engine and systems
    are ok.

    Then start from there with gas checks.

  10. If You Have A Starting Problem You Can’t Find…Check The Ignition Switch

    I had an intermittent starting problem on my 91 325i Convertible for years.

    Sometimes car would start right up Sometime never start. Turned out the Ignition Switch was breaking apart inside. (The switch itself…not the tumbler).

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