E34 no-start fix: Moral to the story

["Chuck MacWilliam" <chuckmac@xxxxxxxxxxx>]

Hi folks!
My '92 E34 wouldn't start for my wife last Saturday.  Of course the fist 
thing that pops into my mind is; "WHAT DID SHE DO NOW?!!!"  I got in and 
turned the key.  The engine just turned and turned and turned.  So 
battery is ok.  Checked fuse 23 for fuel pump. OK.  Jumpered fuel pump 
relay socket and had wife listen in trunk for fuel pump operation.  
Buzzed away as it should have.  Hmmm. Tried to start again.  Fired right 
up!  Monday. Wife 2 blocks away at a garage sale.  Car won't start.  
Pushed car home...nearly had heart attack - that sucker's heavy!  
Assumed fuel pump was still ok and tried other things.  Checked out one 
of the coils. Ok.  Listened for injectors while cranking. Clicked away 
as they should've.  Removed fuel line from fuel rail and cranked engine.  
NO FUEL!  Huh? Could I have a clogged fuel filter?  Jumped fuel pump 
relay again as I did last Saturday - NO BUZZ!  Determined fuel pump to 
be inop.  Replaced fuel pump and filter - everything A-OK exept for 
showering my entire body with fuel.  Moral of the story: Don't assume 
everything you checked before is still ok when duplicate symptoms 
surface.  If something happens again (in this case, 2 days later), start 
from square one with your troubleshooting procedures and you'll actually 
save time in the long run.  BTW, does anyone know what the small hose 
going to the crankcase ventilation valve does?  Mine was totally rotted 
away.  TIA.  Hope this helps someone out there in Bimmerland. 

Chuck MacWilliam, R.N.
'92 525i
'85 325e 
'90 Chevy Silverado
BMWCCA# 150982
http://www.geocities.com/HotSprings/Spa/9057
Sacramento Valley Chapter


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