unable to figure why has crank no start 02' 330xi E46

[albertinejim]

Been at this issue for months. Fuses & relays are good. New fuel pump, fuel filter, crank sensor, camshaft sensors, both vanos, spark plugs, ignition coils, battery. I'm a youtube DIYer, other than bringing this BMW back to life 13 years ago. I have no mechanical knowledge, specific tools or even a garage to work on it. Usually don't ask for help, but I need it this time. Anybody have ideas?

Oh... story on this issue. I started & drove it one day, nothing out of ordinary happened during drive. Got home and parked it. Next day went to start it, it just cranks no start. It does almost start if spray starting fluid, though I don't like using that stuff.

[Greydog]

Morning James

Welcome to the Forum

If you can get a Diagnostic Scan done using a  BMW capable system it will help a lot and probably save changing parts that don't need changing. For your model I believe has I-bus so software like BMW 1.4.0 is available and really cheap (about $20) its easy to use and will actually give you Dealer level diagnostics and programming (if needed) Just load it onto a lap top and it will as said allow so much information and test ability. 

However as you get an attempt to start, the place I would begin is check/test the Fuel Pump relay and it's loom back to the ECU. See if you can download a Pinout for the ECU to check which pins need checking testing

Hope this helps

Dave

 

 

[albertinejim]

Hi Dave, thx for quick reply. Unfortunately IDK what a loom is or pins mean. However relays & fuses are all good. Wont be able to get diagnostic done, vehicle is no longer on the road, have insurance on it or runs. Another unfortunate thing is, the closest BMW dealership is 2 hours away and hard to find a garage that will work on a BMW in my surrounding area. I'm all for not getting parts don't need, but to be honest. That's what I did to get vehicle to run 1st time. I just replaced old part no matter if was needed or not. I didn't test any, just got new part. I don't and wouldn't know how to test parts. Making sure was same manufacturer and oem number. I tried this time around too, but I'm on here seeking advice.

 

Thx again

[X5smw]

Keys! 
have you tried a different key?

does everything light up when you turn the key? 
when you switch the key to position 2, can you hear the fuel pump start to prime? (Whirling noise under the rear seat) 

the immobiliser will cut the fuel pump so if that doesn’t start to prime, then the immobiliser is the issue and the key/ reader is at fault.  
it happened to my x5.

the fuel pump failed on my e46 too..  
 

[albertinejim]

thx for your reply

yes, can hear pump. pump is new and everything on dash lights up. I replaced every part that can attach to motor. I'm no mechanic, so no internal work done to it. I did forget to list another replaced part of the many I've done. I did replace fuel injectors as well. Made sure every grommet and gasket where replaced. Did oil change when spark plugs and coils done. Fuel filter when pump was done. Crank sensor when cam sensors done, along with both vanos. Replaced starter relay when checking all fuses. Every part replaced was replaced with oem manufacturer part. So yeah, don't get why it just cranks and doesn't start. Do admit someone will luck out with a lot of new parts at salvage yard when I drop it off there. I been at this for over 6mths, sense November

[Greydog]

Hi James 

You really should get a copy of BMW 1.4.0 ($20) load it onto a laptop then you would be able to run your own Diagnostic Scan. The idea is you don't need a BMW Dealer to have dealer level diagnostics and the cost is far less than changing parts, it would give you accurate information on where to look 

If you can hear the fuel pump running is there pressure at the fuel rail? If not there could be a blockage in your long list of stuff changed has the vacuum line to the fuel filter been checked?

The Pins are the pins in the electrical connector/plugs a pinout will tell you which pin is connected to which colour wire so you can the test end to end continuity. Clearly if there is a break in a wire or poor connection the problem may be that simple

Dave