Engine Won't Start

[iantosca]

I have a 1998 328i automatic and the engine won't start. When I put the key in the ignition and turn it, it sounds like the engine turns on and then just shuts off. The radio and lights still work fine, so I know that its not the battery. Has anyone else ever had this problem? Could it be the OBC?

[hodges76]

Did anything happen before the incident? Do the lights dim at all while the engine is turning over? It could also be a fuel prob..

[iantosca]

No, lights arent dim. Nothing happened before this incident. The engine stays on as long as you have your foot on the gas ... the second you take it off the engine goes off.

[iantosca]

I don't know if you want to put this in the faqs ...

Anyway, my car wouldn't start as listed above. I called my garage guy and father and they both told me to rev my engine for a while because it sounds like a clog in the fuel injector. Anyway, it was. I reved my engine for a couple of minutes and finally the RPM's starting sticking instead of going all the way down and stalling and *poof* problem solved. I'm still gonna replace the spark plugs and ignition wires tomorrow, but this is an excellent solution to anyone that has that problem. Get the rpms to right by the reds, let go, let the needle drift down to 1 and slowly rev it back up ... just don't rev to hard or you'lll blow the engine. :P

[BeemerMan]

next time your gas is on empty, add some valvoline synthetic fuel injection cleaner. works awesome and its only $4.00.

[iantosca]

Thanks for the tip, I shall do that.

[iantosca]

Does my tank have to be completely empty before I do it ... I mean getting a tank bone dry is hard.