instrument panel / non starter problem

[dramabm]

I have an E36 325 coupe which has just died on me.

While my girlfriend was driving she lost power and the car wouldnt restart.

The instrument panel lights will not work at all and car turns over but doesnt start. Everything else appears ok.
The immobilser is working ok since it wouldnt turn over if it hadnt been disarmed.

So what is the link between no instrumnet panel lights and it not starting?
The mileage and clock lights work ok.


PS The instrument panel lights have flickered before and have temporarily tunred off for a second although this has never affected the power of the car.


Any help appreciated

thanks in advance

[dramabm]

Had somebody look at this today and partly fix the problem.
The part of the immboliser that hooks up to the ignition had fried and so he removed it. This made the instrument panel lights come back on! yeah

However the car still would only turn over - boooo

Scratching his head he then checked the fuel pump wire and it had no power and so looped a feed to it from somewhere and the car started.

So.. the fuel pump is always on I think ?? and he said this was ok for a short time but maybe a little dangerous if I have a crash as it wont disable.
Or something along those lines.

Any ideas of what will need replacing?

Thanks

[tomctx]

The fuel pump has a fuse and a relay. Might have someone check them out.