Z3 2.8 not starting

[Delk]

Hello, first post

I just purchased a 97 2.8 Z3 from a friend. He has had it ten years with little use and never an issue.

Last night the car would not restart. It turns over but does not fire. Got it back to my place this morning and did so basic checks. Fuses all good, fuel pump working with a pressure of 50psi so should be fine I think. It just wont start. Will turn over for as long as you want but not start. Disconnected the battery and left it for awhile but still nothing.

Any thoughts? I don't think it has any security but could be incorrect.

Delk

 

[Delk]

Forgot to say. Dash is normal and no apparent errors showing.

 

[BMBabe]

@Mnbrennan @t-tony @Lee

 

[the Nefyn cat]

Got a code reader? That would be my first option, then try for a spark (plugs out, fit them back into the coils and rest them so the outers can touch earth somewhere, spin it and watch for sparks). If the plugs come out wet then you can be fairly sure there's fuel getting in.

 

[Delk]

Just had plugs out and no spark. Plugs look normal and not soaking wet.

Hope to get a code reader tomorrow.

 

[Jack Ratt]

Could be immobiliser issue. Where are you based as there may be a member with a code reader near to you

 

[Delk]

I'm out in the backside of Norfolk in Hemsby. Normally only thing that lives this way is seals and its a two hour drive to anything.

 

[Dino D]

How many keys does it have?
Could it be the transponder in the key bit working?

 

[Delk]

Only have one key he has found so far. Battery has been dead for years and he doesn't use central locking. Standard looking key with three buttons on it.

 

[Delk]

 

[Ianmc]

If you started the car, stopped it, left it a couple of times the engine can flood. Happen recently on our BMW 323i (6 cylinder). The RAC man floored the throttle, turned the engine over for a minute or so then it burst into life. No problem since.

 

[Delk]

Will try that but I am a marine Engineer by trade and it seams to not be firing at all and I'm not getting spark from what I can see.

Changed the battery in the fob and central locking works but the car still doesn't start.

 

[Stevo7682]

I'm out in the backside of Norfolk in Hemsby. Normally only thing that lives this way is seals and its a two hour drive to anything.

If you can wait I will be in Caister Mon to Fri will pack my code reader Hemsby 5 mins up the road

 

[t-tony]

Ha,ha. Another Busman's holiday Steve. Good man.

Tony.

 

[Stevo7682]

Looks like it .
See if I can appear in my semi shiny green chariot wave a magic wand and make all well again.
Or in reality appear plug a code reader in and hope it chucks up some thing that points in the right direction

 

[Stevo7682]

Still trying to aquire that bumper sticker.

 

[Delk]

Haha Stevo

I will supply beer or whatever you want.

Its in my drive not going anywhere. Last week the car lived in Caistor with a friend of mine.

Will get in tough
Delk

 

[Grumps]

If you can wait I will be in Caister Mon to Fri will pack my code reader Hemsby 5 mins up the road

Top man Steve.

 

[gookah]

sounds like key/ EWS immobiliser to me. Does it have an aftermarket alarm?
You may need to try and get another key or full set of key/ews and swap out the key chips.

 

[mrscalex]

It’s not the EWS/immobiliser. The engine wouldn’t turn if it was. The only real job of the immobiliser is to decide whether to release power to the starter. So if the starter is turning the immobiliser is happy and therefore the key/transponder is also fine.

But it could well be the DME not releasing the ignition as you have no spark. That should be apparent from any codes thrown.

If you report the code here it will be much easier to help.