1989 BMW 325 Won't Start!

MYFIRSTBEAMER

MEMBER
1989 BMW 325

1989 BMW 325 6 cyl Two Wheel Drive Manual

Just recently acquired an 89 BMW 325i.
This car has been sitting for 7 years in a garage. We changed the oil, and replaced the spark plugs, belts, water pump, & fuel filter. The car turns over but will not start without starter fluid and will not stay running. Need help on what to do next.
Fuel Injectors? Fuel Injector Pressure Regulator? Fuel Pump? Relays? (& Which one?) Cap/Rotor/Wires? All of the above? We are not real familiar with foreign cars!

1 Reply

DOCHAGERTY

MECHANIC
9,601 POSTS

From your excellent description, I would direct you to the fuel pump as the issue here, they do have a fairly high failure rate. Also please consider replacement of the fuel filter as a preventive maintenance item. Also you might consider replacement of the fuel pump and main relays for the same reason. They are located next to the fuse box inside a black plastic cover. On the 1989 model the fuel pump is located in the tank and you can access it by taking up the rear seat bottom, it comes out with a sharp upwards pull. It is on the right side of the car, also replace the o-ring, part# for the pump is 16-14-1-179-992. O-ring 16-11-1-744-369. Filter 13-32-1-270-038. Main relay 61-36-1-729-004. Fuel pump relay 12-63-1-277-245. These are good part#s and also may supersede to newer numbers. Good luck with your E-30, they are great cars. The fuel pump and lambda heater relays are usually orange and the main is usually white.