Need Help! Not Starting!!

[325ix]

Alright guys, I'm new to this site, but i hope you guys can help me out. I'm hoping at least one of you can help me out, but ok here is the problem.

After driving it extremily lightly for a few weeks, it just refused to start one day. I'm no moron, the battery is charged, the starter is strong, all connections are good to go. I checked for spark, its getting spark. Its not getting any fuel.. now I immediatly assumed the worst (dead fuel pump). I had it sent to the dealership. They said it started for them no problem.. so perhaps the tow truck jostled somthing around. After driving it home, and trying to start it again it failed to start.
They suggested buying a new relay. So I bought the new relay fuse.. still nothing. I am stuck!! I don't want to send it back to the shop if the tow truck ride is just going to make it temperarily start, if it does the shop doesn't look anyfurther. I'm going to check all the connections I can tonight, but really I need some help here. What should I be looking for?!?

[325eXTATIC]

I am not familiar with the IX (I have a 325e) but if the intake system is essentially the same, I would look at the Cold Start Injector or Cold Start Valve (Same thing, but some people call it one thing, some call it the other) when the engine is cold, it shoots a small amount of extra fuel into the intake track to encourage light off. My car was doing the same thing, and mine is getting spark as well. When I chaged the CSI (about $140) it cranked a few times and chugged back to life!

Hope this helps!

Josh W
'86 325e w/Dinan ECU

[nukeduster]

Originally posted by 325eXTATIC@May 16 2005, 05:49 AM
I am not familiar with the IX (I have a 325e) but if the intake system is essentially the same, I would look at the Cold Start Injector or Cold Start Valve (Same thing, but some people call it one thing, some call it the other) when the engine is cold, it shoots a small amount of extra fuel into the intake track to encourage light off. My car was doing the same thing, and mine is getting spark as well. When I chaged the CSI (about $140) it cranked a few times and chugged back to life!

Hope this helps!

Josh W
'86 325e w/Dinan ECU

[snapback]344893[/snapback]

The i/ix doesnt have a CSI however check your fuel pump relay first by pulling the relay (its the middle relay on the driver side shock mount) and jumping pins 30 and 87 together and see if your fuel pump runs (you'll be able to hear it if you get close to the rear driver wheel)

if it works its probably your relay or ignition switch.. if it doesnt work its probably your fuel pump.