HELP!!! No fire to plugs!

[McGillMS]

We recently bought a '96 318ti it's the 1.9L. It has been hit in the front end, busted the air box and the A/C condenser and the Cruise control unit, but no other component damage besides body work. Air bags were not deployed and radiator was not even busted.

What I need help with is that it is getting NO SPARK to the plugs,(1) we replaced the plugs, then took a new one out to test it, nothing. (2) we changed the coil pack, nothing (3) checked the wiring harnesses and fuses, nothing.

I'm running out of ideas, is there any way to reset the DME? Any help on where we could check next... It's driving us crazy.

[xxxJohnBoyxxx]

Is the fuel pump turning on? If not there is most likely a relay issue. Have you pulled codes to see if there is a EWS issue, crank trigger issue.

[McGillMS]

I don't have access to and OBDII reader. We tested the entire relay and circuit though with a multimeter and it's getting fire right down to the coil, but not the plugs.

Would the crankshaft/camshaft position sensor adversely affect the plugs getting fire?

[TiZen]

Dude, check your main relay. It is the relay that controls, the fuel, spark, and ignition circuit.

[TiZen]

If that doesnt work, you might have to send it to the dealer.

If the Car has been sitting for a while, it will need to be re keyed or flashed.
I had this same problem with my car when I wrecked it. It sat for 2-3 months.


First check to see if your getting power to the coil.
Check your grounds around the car.

Those are 2 tips.

[McGillMS]

Coil is getting power, all relays are good. It has been sitting about a year, with no battery though.

What is the flashing process? any way to get that done w/o a dealer?

[xxxJohnBoyxxx]

In one of your posts you say everything is good it is firing to the coil but nothing after that. So that tells me the coil is bad.

If this is not the case since I think you would need some special tools to check this please check if your fuel pump is working. I ask this because the fuel pump and spark are cut when a EWS issue happens (EWS not alligned, DME relay bad, DME water damaged, etc.). If your fuel pump is turning on and you have no spark then we will know that EWS is working correctly and it is a coil issue or the crank sensor is bad has damaged wiring.

I way to check the fuel pump would be crank over the car then check for pressure at the pressure port on the fuel injector rail. Be careful not to squirt fuel in your eyes or all over the engine bay and have a extinguisher handy just incase.

Good luck, John S

Also there is no flashing involved, maybe a EWS allignment but flashing is done to change the tune on the DME and you need a flashing unit plus software to flash your DME which is a M5.2 (667)

[McGillMS]

Thanks guys, will try these out when this winter weather lightens up a bit.

[Junk]

Originally Posted by McGillMS

Would the crankshaft/camshaft position sensor adversely affect the plugs getting fire?

Yes! Johnboy told me to check mine awhile back and the crank pos sensor was the problem after I changed the starter, I bumped the wire which crumbled the insulation inside. Definately check these.

If the EWS was the problem I think the car won't crank, and if you've disconnected the battery since it was last running, there maybe no code for the crank position sensor, because I never got one..

[xxxJohnBoyxxx]

^^Sometimes people point out the easy things, good catch Junk I'm being stupid on this one. Yes EWS is good on your car as Junk stated. The car will not crank with EWS issue.

Still need to check for fuel pump since it will tell us if DME is getting relay power-up.

I bet it is a crank sensor...