Z3 2.8 Not starting

[seaDog]

Bit of a long one this, had a problem with my zed not starting, 2.8 twin vanos, intermittent clicking from the starter motor so suspected that. Replaced the starter motor over a 2 week period, no ramp so stripped the inlet manifold out and went through the top.

Once complete it would only clunk, cleaned up the battery/body earths and now it turns over fine with plenty of juice just does not fire. Fuel is at the rail, INPA shows no error codes.

It seems like an ews/dme problem to me, thats all I can think of ??

Would appreciate it if anyone else has any ideas.
Thanks

Jas

 

[mrscalex]

It's not an EWS issue if it turns over. The only thing the EWS really does is release the juice to the starter. Bit more complicated deciding whether to release the juice but it is in your case and that's all we care about here.

But it might well be a DME issue. The DME decides whether to release the ignition system. And on the face of it it's not doing that. Although I would expect to see an error code. Sync of rolling codes is a classic one here. That's the security handshake between the DME and the EWS and that can go out of whack in innocent circumstances such as a flat battery. But I would expect to see a code whether it's that or something else.

However this isn't the only possible cause. The obvious thing that springs to mind which sometimes doesn't give an error, depending where it is, is a big air leak somewhere. Crankshaft sensor also springs to mind although again I'd expect to see a code. Or dare I suggest you didn't plumb something back in correctly after having the inlet manifold out.

 

[Stevo7682]

@Delk had a similar issue last summer .
I was going on holiday near to where he was so took my c110 scanner with me.

When I plugged it in was coming up with a fault code for ews and dme coding error somehow they had got out of sequence with each other and his zed would not start.

 

[Stevo7682]

@mrscalex I was just about to mention that you had assisted with that repair and may be able to help but you had posted just before I wrote this

 

[mrscalex]

@Delk had a similar issue last summer .
I was going on holiday near to where he was so took my c110 scanner with me.

When I plugged it in was coming up with a fault code for ews and dme coding error somehow they had got out of sequence with each other and his zed would not start.

It would be the very first thing I tried. I think you can reset in INPA. I've always used BMW Scanner though. But it should be accompanied by an error.

I can't remember off the top of my head which module the sync appears under. It might be the EWS so if you are only looking at the DME errors you might be missing it.

 

[Lee]

Hi Jas. suggesting you have fuel at the rail and it turns over you’ve narrowed down the possible causes a lot. Pull one of the plugs and turn it over touching plug against the engine casing seeing if you get a spark.

Again like the others suggested run the codes could be a Camshaft sensor, remember you have two on the twin vanos.

Lee

 

[seaDog]

Thanks for the replies guys.

I shut the bonnet on it yesterday and went for a beer. Plan is to go back through everything I have done to make sure it’s not something simple like a missed connection.

The battery has only been off for 2 weeks, it’s been off a lot longer than that in the past with no issues.

Will have another go during week and report back.

Cheers

Jas

 

[MRH1966]

Had the same on my 2.0 when we done the starter motor. Turned out to be the electrical connections on the injectors. They feel like they have gone on ok but need to clip properly. Once this was corrected it started first time!

 

[Delk]

Sorry I was away for the weekend and didnt see this.

I did have the same exact issue. Would get in the car and the engine would turn over but not fire. The engine and EWS computers were out of sync and I understand this happens now and again.

Bought the V1.40 or whatever it is called scanner as recommended on here and was able to reset the two computers. As soon as I synchronized the two computers it fired right up without an issue.

The EWS and DME computers send multiple codes back and forth. So if one goes out of line it will turn over but not start. If I remember I had to rest the EWS module in the system.

 

[mrscalex]

Thanks for the replies guys.

I shut the bonnet on it yesterday and went for a beer. Plan is to go back through everything I have done to make sure it’s not something simple like a missed connection.

The battery has only been off for 2 weeks, it’s been off a lot longer than that in the past with no issues.

Will have another go during week and report back.

Cheers

Jas

I've seen the rolling code issue just from connecting and reconnecting the battery. Conversely I've let cars sit for months without a battery or with a flat battery and no issue. It doesn't seem to be predictable.

However remember there should be a code. So I suspect it's either there and you are missing it. Or probably your fault lies elsewhere.

If you really have no error codes I would tend to favour the possibility of a bad connection. The lack of a feedback circuit to the DME might explain no error. So @MRH1966 experience sounds more plausible to me.

But always difficult diagnosing hands-off like this. The important thing is you have a few suggestions in there to try.

 

[MRH1966]

@mrscalex I had no code when this happen via INPA. They have the silly little clips on them but mine had not snapped shut properly (looked like they were on properly!) Got a b*******ing from my son for not doing it right!!!

 

[mrscalex]

@mrscalex I had no code when this happen via INPA. They have the silly little clips on them but mine had not snapped shut properly (looked like they were on properly!) Got a b*******ing from my son for not doing it right!!!

Interesting. The case is building for it to be that isn't it? Will be good to find out.

My son is 15 and does a lot of the work on the cars with me. He knows enough now that he's correcting what I'm doing more and more...

 

[MRH1966]

It is great for them to have someone to teach them and for them to be interested. He knew this could be the problem as he/we had just done a manifold swap on his 2.8 and the clips were problematic taking off and putting back on. There is a knack to putting them on by setting the clip to one side only, pushing on and most times the other side follows. Then giving them a pull to make sure they are held in place. Each one as you go.
Hopefully it is the case in this instance.

 

[seaDog]

MRH1966 was spot on, I owe him a beer !! They looked clipped up but they weren’t quite down. Once properly seated, fired first time

Now it’s running a tad on the rough side, the bars for cyl 5 & 6 are way up so am guessing an air leak. Something tells me the new inlet manifold gasket has not seated properly

All back out and try again then !!!

Thanks for all your help, especially MRH1966.

 

[mrscalex]

Following logic and not ignoring what you see is always important.

The fact you had no error codes was a big pointer.

 

[Stevo7682]

Good to see that once again some combined knowledge has helped to solve a problem .
Stephen

 

[MRH1966]

Great News!!!!.......We all pass on our knowledge about theses cars.....sometimes it works and other times it won't...........that is what this forum is all about......