1993 318is stalled while driving - now won't start

[Bell6073]

So I have a 1993 318is that stalled out and died on a drive back to Fort Collins from Denver about two weeks ago. After it died it would start again but only for a few seconds and after a few starts will not start again. I had it towed back to Fort Collins and left it for about a week and then tried to start it. It started once for a few seconds and then died and would not start again. It seems that it will start for a few seconds if left untouched for several hours but will never stay started. The accelerator has no response when applied after engine is running and then the car just dies again. I have eliminated electrical but there are so many segments of the fuel delivery system that I don't know where to start. Has anyone else had this problem with their E36? Mine has about 155,000 miles on it but showed no signs of a problem until it stalled.

[foamerdave]

sounds like a bad timing bet/chain

[RichE36]

hmmm i have a feeling its could be the crankshaft sensor.

you could try listen to the fuel pump motor.

[Bell6073]

I was under the impression that e36 timing chains generally lasted the lifetime of the car without needing to be changed. I checked the fault codes with the accelerator/ check engine light method and came up with code 1286 which is Knock Control Test Pulse. I dont know if this is related to the problem but there was no code for a faulity crankshaft sensor. I listened to the fuel pump motor and heard a faint click but a can't really tell if it is running. Would it be pretty obvious if it was running/vibrating or does it run quiet? Also is it possible for a clogged fuel filter to cause the problem?