No squirt -- no start

Hello all. I recently bought a 85 325e. Getting fuel to the rail approx. 40 lbs. The car will start with starting fluid but dies immediately. It was sitting for 2 years. New pump in tank new fuel new filter. Like I said fuel to the rail bt where do I go from here? Injectors or rail rusty?

Fuel pressure to the rail (40 psi is ample to at least start it and should run it) but no start on gas means either the injectors are clogged or they're not getting an injector pulse from the ECU. You can test for injector pulses with a "noid" light, made from a #194 bulb. Straighten the wire loop connectors on the bulb so that they'll fit in an injector connector socket. Unplug one injector, plug the light into the socket and spin the engine.... the light should pulse faintly (helps to have it shaded or do it in dim light). Pulses means the injectors are plugged up. No pulse means the crank or cam sensor or both are bad. Possible but very unlikely is a failed ECU.

Originally Posted by hornhospital

Fuel pressure to the rail (40 psi is ample to at least start it and should run it) but no start on gas means either the injectors are clogged or they're not getting an injector pulse from the ECU. You can test for injector pulses with a "noid" light, made from a #194 bulb. Straighten the wire loop connectors on the bulb so that they'll fit in an injector connector socket. Unplug one injector, plug the light into the socket and spin the engine.... the light should pulse faintly (helps to have it shaded or do it in dim light). Pulses means the injectors are plugged up. No pulse means the crank or cam sensor or both are bad. Possible but very unlikely is a failed ECU.

no cam sensor on his engine, just pulse sensors on the number 6 spark plug lead. if that plug is dead and/or the lead is damaged, it will also kill the engine.

how would I go about clearing the injector? Does this have to be done by a trained professional?

Originally Posted by Bluefin13

how would I go about clearing the injector? Does this have to be done by a trained professional?

TEST to see if you have injector pulse first. One clogged injector is possible, but all of them plugged enough that it won't even fire without starter fluid is pretty unusual.

If you ARE getting injector pulses, search YouTube for injector cleaning videos. It is DIY-able, but best left to pros.

I tested the leads and I am getting power. Still no gas. Trying to pull the rail to see of it is clogged.

Originally Posted by Bluefin13

I tested the leads and I am getting power. Still no gas. Trying to pull the rail to see of it is clogged.

What do you mean it is getting power?

The one side of the injectors always has +12 volts on as long as ignition is on.

The other side of the individual injectors is pulsed to ground by the ECM....at least this is how it is done on the newer models...I do not know the ETA at all.

The only way to really test the injectors is to put an Oscilloscope on them or try using a small lamp bulb as stated above.

I put a meter on the injectorlead and turn the key and the meter Jumped. This is what the book said to do. Could all the injectors be plugged? Anyone know where to get inexpensive injectors?

If it can start on starting fluid, then the crank sensors on the trans are good. Could also be bad ecu or bad wiring at the plug. I would def do the noid light test first though. You could just undo the fuel rail with injectors still on it and crank it over once right quick. You'll see if any injectors are squirting right away.

What is the noid test. Is there a post in here? If so I cannot find it. I know its a light. I used a meter and got 3 Ohms when cranking.

Performance Tool part # W85102.. Plug it in to the injector wiring, it just insures that your injectors are getting a pulse of power. Better in a dim lit garage so you can see the light pulse.

Got a generic set of Noid lights from autozone. getting no light when cranked. Now what? I have been told Ecu, Ecm, crank and or cam sensor, and pulse sensor on the #6 spark plug.Who do I listen too? Please someone help!

No one has any ideas?

I do not know the ETA at all....whatever gives the ECU the timing sensors....crank or cam sensor....would be the most likely suspect.

I doubt the sensor on plug lead 6 would stop the injectors firing completely.

Have you tried http://www.e30tech.com

or the UK site http://www.e30zone.net

Found one at a junkyard. I am now getting a faint light on the injector. I have 40 psi at rail and the cold start is clogged but can hear it click. Pulled the regulator and nothing on the lower side? No gas . I have gas at rail and front of regulator. I cannot blow thru any part of the regulator. is this normal or do I need a new one?