97 740i turns but won't start!

Hello gang, I have a '97 E38 740i that will turn but will not crank. I've replaced the fuel pump, checked the fuel filter and am now at my wits end on what to do next. I sprayed some starting fluid intake and the car starts but when the fluid burns out the car shuts off again! HELP!!

Is there fuel in the fuel rail. Is the fuel pump actually getting power? Is the fuel pump relay\fuse blown?
Before i installed even my new fuel pump, i actually wired it up with some spare wire and connected it to the battery for a quick second, just to make sure it worked..Regardless of the fact it was new...

I believe the relay\fuse for the fuel system is in the trunk near the battery. But might want to research that as i dont recall for sure...

OU18, Do you think it could be the camshaft position sensor?

Not sure. Im not a mechanic, i just play one at home.

Ive experienced the broken fuel pump. And once i got it back together it started right up and stayed running. If the car starts with the spray and then dies out, i would lean toward fuel starvation of some sort. I would start with the part you just replaced and work from there. Checking those relays\fuses. You say you've checked the fuel filter, but did you replace it. When i did the pump i did the filter as well. Thankfully so as the rubber tubing that connects the filter to the fuel lines was cracked and worn and leaking fuel. I also had a fuel smell come thru my car when idling... So i replaced the tubing and filter. That was just good maintenance.

There are a couple of board members in here far far more knowledgeable than I. Balance and Joyism5 to name 2. They have helped me on many occasions especially my most recent endeavor of replacing intake manifold gaskets, front and rear, valve cover gaskets, upper timing chain gaskets, and oil pan gaskets. Doesn't sound like a lot, but trust, its enuff for now..

They would know for sure how all the inner workings work together and whether your sensor could cause the problem.But from the sound of your problems the car doesn't even turn over on its own.
Here is a link on e38.org, which has become my best friend as well as this board.

http://www.bimmerboard.com/forums/posts/77352


One way to find out if you have fuel in the rail is to pull the fuel line off the rail and see if there is fuel in it. That wont tell if your pump is working properly or if you have enuff pressure there tho. But its a starting point.

I have a thread going called Victorious at last - Throttle body is off. Your more than welcome to jump over there and post your question. Joyism drops in there whenever i post something new on my current project. See if he answers. He is pretty good with the troubleshooting.


Start with the cheapest parts first. Thats the way i do it.

The three things your motor needs for combustion is air, fuel, and spark. Unless the intake is completely clogged, the air is always there, so almost all of the time you have to check for fuel and spark.

If the motor starts with starting fluid, then you have a fuel issue and not a spark issue, so that would rule out the crank position sensor and cam position sensors right off the bat. I would do as ou18 advised, and pull the fuel line off of the fuel rail that is right on top of the intake manifold. With the rubber hose that connects to the fuel rail unclamped and disconnected, turn the key to the "on" position and see if fuel comes out of the line. It should spurt out in a steady stream for about a second.

If it does, then fuel is getting to the injectors, then I would think that it would be the fuel injector relay. If it does not, then I would imagine that it would be the fuel pump, fuel pump relay, or the fuel filter.

From what I'm hearing, I would guess it is the fuel pump relay since the pump has already been changed, but without looking at the car, I couldn't be sure.

Well, haven't heard from you in a few days. Whats the verdict. Is she back up and running the way she should be?
Is she still under the weather?

Cant go into the weekend without some good news...

I am havin the same issue with a 01" 740il, It runs on starting fluid but as soon as the spray stops so does the engine. My question is? where on this model car can you check for gas coming through the fuel lines and where are they located?. thanks in advance