Fuel Pump Predicament

[zoevans]

My sister owns a 94 318i. Sunday she broke down. The car would only start and idle. If she pressed the accelerator pedal it would completely shut off. Eventually it got to the point where now it wont even idle. My dad has looked at it, not me (I'm at college) and says he can hear the fuel pump run for about 1 sec when the car is turned to the "on" position. He believes the fuel pump has gone bad. The car has at least 225,000miles on it, so it would seem about time. Is it common for an E36 pump to go bad? My 97 318i fortunately has held up.

My question is: if the fuel pump still starts up, even for a 1 sec, wouldn't that mean the fuel pump is in working order but something else is keeping it from continuing to work. I believe the car has a pressure regulator, could that be the prob? Or the pump relay or a fuse?

If the fuel pump is shot, has anyone changed it before? I know its inside the take so it won't be a "quick fix." Furthermore my dad has asked me to assist (which prob mean do myself) him with replacing the pump. I have the Bentley Manual and its fairly clear.

Any suggestions or Hints would greatly be appreciated.

[Gryz]

Yes, it is common for the water pumps to go out on these. I am surprised it has lasted that long. It is recommended to replace them with one with a metal impeller instead of the current plastic impeller.

As for replacing it, I have not go around to it (college also) but hope to this summer.

[zoevans]

You meant "fuel" pump, right?

[Gryz]

Sorry it has been a long day...I thought I read water pump.
My apologies.

[Pirate_copy]

when you turn the ignition on, the fuel pump should buzz for 1-2 seconds as it is priming

If it does this, i would look elsewhere before replacing it as it 'appears' to be working mate

Have you checked for any engine error codes?

[Andycapps]

My car would run rough and almost instantly die cause of a severely cracked breather hose that goes into the intake boot. Check the intake boot/hoses going into the boot for cracks first.

[fun2drive]

You really need to get the codes read. Since it is a 94 you should be able to do the 5 pedal pump trick to read the codes. I would not be suprised if the pump is ok that it might be something like the throttle position sensor.
To verify the pump is good or bad do this, jumper past the relay by removing the relay and putting a male lug attached with a 14 ga male lug into where 87 an 30 go. Turn the relay over to see the numbers I refer to.
The pump should run independent of key position once you do this. If it does run then it might be the relay. If it only runs for a second or two then it is the pump.

[zoevans]

thank, will test the relay tonight.

[DominguesE30]

how to do the pedal test? just press it five times and then what?

[Pirate_copy]

here we go mate

1. Turn the ignition key on (without starting the car) and depress the accelerator pedal to the floor 5 times within 5 seconds.
2. The check engine light will remain lit for 5 seconds, blink off, light for 2.5 seconds, goes off for 2.5 sec. and will start flashing the codes.
3. Each code is separated by a 2.5 sec. pause. A 0.5 sec. blink then nothing means the end of the code reading. To read them again, depress the accelerator pedal 5 times again.

[DominguesE30]

awsome, im gonna try it out.
Thanks pirate!

[Pirate_copy]

Anytime mate

Worked a treat on my old 318i

[zoevans]

I got my dad to test for codes using the pedal trick, in my sisters car. He told me the code is 1444. (Flashes once, then 4x, then 4x and another 4x, then repeates)

Great I now know how to test it, but what about deciphering the codes. Does anyone know what 1444 means. Or better yet, does anyone have a list or know where I can look, for future reference. The Bentley Manual perhaps?

[Pirate_copy]

this any good mate?

http://www.bimmerzone.com/fcodes.htm or http://www.bimmerfest.com/forums/archive/index.php/t-93659.html

1444 seems to mean "no failure"

[zoevans]

Hmm, thats interesting.

Looking at that code list here, are all the codes for: switches, relays, coils, valves and other electrical stuff? No code directly for the fuel pump, right?

I guess I'm trying to figure out if the fuel pump still is bad. I guess it would be, since the "fuel pump relay control" seems to be fine.

I'm I reading this right?

OH, and thanks a bunch for the code meanings!!!

[flyingdaves]

Not sure if this will help. My 1994 318I makes it easy to check the fuel pump. Your fuel pump should be accessible under the rear seat (lift it up) if it is similar to my 1994... So, you'll need to lift out the rear seat - just give it a good yank from the front bottom lip - and then lift it out. You will then need to lift up the rubberized carpet (whatever that is, it lifts right up, you'll see it) *all this is done on the right side, behind the passenger seat.*

You will see a round access panel with 4 screws. Remove the screws. You will see two hoses connected to your fuel pump. One should have a clamp that can be loosened with a phillips head screwdriver. Loosen it, then remove the hose from the pump. When you loosen the hose, you may see some residual fuel around the hose. After you remove the hose from the pump, crank your engine and see if fuel comes out of the pump. If it does, it is working. I put an old t-shirt to gather any excess fuel but it wasn't needed. Good luck.

[storms]

If the pump seems to be working check it's presure at the fuel rail with a fuel pressure gauge. it could be that the pump is working but can't keep the pressure up hi enough to start the car, most vehicles need a min of 50 psi to start and keep it running when applying the throttle. I've seen this on a number of cars/trucks that come into my uncles shop including BMW's :(

[DominguesE30]

I tried it on my `97 318is. No work guys :dunno:
I turned the key to the first click, quickly pressed and let go of the accelerator 5 times and nothing work, then i tried it onto the 2 click where all the light on the cluster come on, i pressed and let go of the accelerator 5 times and again nothing. Am i doing something wrong?

[Pirate_copy]

You have OBDII mate (v. jealous). I have a funny feeling it doesn't work on cars made after 1995 (OBDI).

Will investigate tomorrow buddy

Nite nite :thumbup:

[DominguesE30]

thanks pirate :)

[DominguesE30]

will it work on my 86 325e?

[Pirate_copy]

I am pretty sure it will mate

Was the OBDII that changed everything hehehe

[DominguesE30]

i dont mean to be the stupid one here at bimmerfest, but whats obdII? is that some kind of computer or dash? what does it do? whats the improvements from the predacessor?

[Pirate_copy]

OBDII is an international standard of interface with the onboard computer. OBDI is the circular adaptor in the engine bay whereas OBDII looks like a scart socket and is inside the cabin of the car.

If my memory serves, the adaptor has to be withing a certain distance of the driver for easy access.

Not read this page, but i recon it will explain better than me (not hard)

http://www.obdii.com/

[DominguesE30]

thanks pirate :)
i guess i got left out on this one...