Car won't start, (help)!!

[BMWgiant]

I had my wisdoms pulled on Monday, and had my '87 535i sitting for 5 days.. It started just fine when I left to go get some ice cream and left house for the first time since the surgery. As I drove it, it shifted and drove slightly different. Not a huge noticeable difference.

I ate the icecream with a friend and returned to the car for it not to start. There was full electric power but the engine would not turn over. The belts were turning but no fire. Than as it would do the normal squeeling noise before ignition there was a slight clunk, and then I would stop turning the key. I would try to turn it over again for it to do the same reaction. I would try to give it some gas and nothing would happen.

I attemped to jump the car and it made no difference as well. I than continued to just sit in the car for an hour and a half. I tried to start it again and it actually started. I threw it in reverse and than into first, where it clunked out again. It would not turn back on and I had to push it back into its parking spot.

I wound up bumming a ride home and left the car in a parking lot down the street. I do not know a ton about the motors so don't know exactly what these symptoms could mean. It is not the battery but it did sit for 5 days. I think it could be the starter or a fuel pump because I could not smell fuel. The car ran near perfect before I had it sitting for the 5 days, a few people from the CFBMW/FLgerman meet can vouch for that.

Does this sound like anything serious? I am in Orlando right now and was planning to head back to Gainesville tomorrow. Does it look like it can still happen or am I stuck here for a few more days?

Thanks in advance,
-Blake

[BMWgiant]

I got it started at 3am, just by letting it sit for a few hours. It does not sound well and is not running right. I need to drive home 120miles before Monday for school and it is the weekend when most shops are closed. I have a shop I trust in Gainesville but as I said, I am in Orlando. Any advice on what the problem could be would be great, as well as any advice on what to do to get home... Most tow companies wont tow that far.. so I feel screwed :(

[JCapelo]

Man sry about the news.....

wish i could help, but its hard with the info provided and the car being so far that i cant take a look.

hope all goes well...Im sure one of the cfbmw guys could hlep u find a shop local?

[TheDarkSide]

Wow, not even a guess from me...

[SlickShift]

Clogged injectors? :dunno: Just double check all the little stuff.

[TheDarkSide]

Actually had a guy that had the exact same sounding problem on his e30. He changed the fuel filter and woked perfect.

[BMWgiant]

Alright, well the new plan is to get the car towed to Gainesville... going to cost me 80 something bucks for the additional miles over the initial 100 miles that AAA offers.. than have a buddy from the E28 forums come and check it out with me, see if he can diagnose the problem.. I just want to get back to my town where I know I can still bum a ride to work or school...

[TheDarkSide]

Ouch, have them drop it off, and use someone else's card to do the other 80 ;)

[BMWgiant]

You willing to lend a tow? lol..

[TheDarkSide]

I will I only have the piss poor 5 mile one though. :(

[M52 POWER!]

My vote is fuel pump!

[Panzer_M]

Did you try turning the key:dunno:

it's the car's gremlin...prob electrical since it's german...it's our payback for trying to take over the world.

[BMWgiant]

Did you try turning the key:dunno:

it's the car's gremlin...prob electrical since it's german...it's our payback for trying to take over the world.


I am now thinking it is electrical.. My plan is to drive it Lake Mary to Tacm's (MyE28.com) place, where he will help me diagnose it. He has a few spare parts and I can only hope I can make it to his place. The car is starting now but does not feel like normal. After he takes a look I will decide whether to get it towed or drive it the rest of the way to Gainesville..

Sounds like I will make it home today!! Hopefully I can fix the car today as well!!

[E31]

Try a new battery and clean the contacts well. Good luck!

[kelso]

i dont think its a battery problem cause once you got it started it should have stayed started.... the "clunking" is something id have to hear to understand.

[kelso]

although do try and clean the contacts. my negative cable popped off when driving in my 240 and my car turned off...that was ghey

[BMWgiant]

My vote is fuel pump!

I think that is the problem as well... I was able to drive back to Gainesville.. I'll take it to the local shop on wednesday or thursday after the holiday and get everything checked out..

I changed the relay sensor just in case.. seemed like that could of be a cause as well..

[BMWgiant]

Try a new battery and clean the contacts well. Good luck!

Engine bay is extremely clean for a 20 year old car and there is no corrosion or anything that would interfere with the battery.. The battery is definately not the problem

[catchuk]

It could be your ignition system too. maybe a bad distributor?

[silver-e34]

it could be a number of things you can start with the basics check fuel pressure,spark plugs,wires,cap,rotor,coil, it will most likely show up in one of those it would take me a couple of pages to run you thru each test tho so its best to take it to somebody with expereience if you were in the area i would be glad to help you out. good luck with the car

[AlpineE30]

if you haven't done the cap and rotor I highly recomend it... I just did those along with new wires and the car runs like..... well not quite like new... but a whole lot better than before.

[E31]

Caps and rotors are a must once in a while. It could also be a coil pack. Fuel pump relay?