won't start- need help troubleshooting

[Rigmaster]

My 96 318ti has been sitting for a while, I found someone interested in buying it and he came to look at it today. Problem is, I couldn't get the car started. It turns over fine (with a jump- due to dead battery), but does not fire. I shot some starting fluid into the intake and it was enough for the car to run for a second or two, but that was it.

The tach does not seem to be moving at all when the engine is turning over- leading me to believe that's an indicator of the problem, but I searched and did not find out any helpful info.

So, it seems like I'm not getting fuel- could be bad fuel pump?? If it was CPS (Crank or Cam) would the starting fluid have caused the car to run? (I thought the CPS's sent the signal for spark and fuel???)


Anyone got any helpful hints?? I'm perfectly capable of troubleshooting this, just need to be pointed in the right direction..


Thanks!!!

[Ralliart10]

My brother's Honda did the same thing and it was the fuelpump

[Rigmaster]

Well, crap.

Opened up the DME compartment today and a bunch of water poured out. DME is flooded and trashed.

I need a Bosch 0 261 203 667 DME, should be found on '96-98 318i/318ti/Z3 with M44.


Anyone got anything?? Need it cheap and known working- looks like I'll have to spend some more $$ getting the replacement DME aligned at my local indy repair shop....

[xxxJohnBoyxxx]

Dry out your DME and take off the back cover and dust or remove any green stuff. Dry completely under hot lights for days and you should be fine.

Wet DME's don't work, dry ones do so you might not need to re[lace the DME. Also clean your weap holes so your DME box doesn't load up again.

John S

[Rigmaster]

Originally Posted by xxxJohnBoyxxx

Dry out your DME and take off the back cover and dust or remove any green stuff. Dry completely under hot lights for days and you should be fine.

Wet DME's don't work, dry ones do so you might not need to re[lace the DME. Also clean your weap holes so your DME box doesn't load up again.

John S

Thanks Johnboy.

I took the whole box apart, sprayed it with some electronic contact cleaner and I'm letting it sit now- but the board has some obvious corrosion on it, as do some of the components on the board, so I don't think it's salvageable.

I am going to reinstall it today after work and see if it will work at all, but I"m not holding out much hope.


It looks like I can pickup a used DME for ~$50 or so and then another $75-100 to get it aligned and hopefully I should be good to go.