Check engine sign

Tiny
ADRIANMARCHAN
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  • 2008 BMW 528
  • V6
  • 4WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 80,000 MILES
My car won't start
Wednesday, February 24th, 2016 AT 8:10 AM

19 Replies

Tiny
ADRIANMARCHAN
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My car won't start
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Wednesday, February 24th, 2016 AT 8:12 AM
Tiny
WRENCHTECH
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What does the check engine soon light have to do with your issue? It's always on when the key is on but the engine isn't running?
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Wednesday, February 24th, 2016 AT 8:26 AM
Tiny
WRENCHTECH
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I walked away from the question for a few minutes and I see you posted the picks. I didn't see them before posting.
All "crank, no start" conditions are approached in the same way. Every engine requires certain functions to be able to run. Some of these functions rely on specific components to work and some components are part of more than one function so it is important to see the whole picture to be able to conclude anything about what may have failed. Also, these functions can ONLY be tested during the failure. Any other time and they will simply test good because the problem isn't present at the moment.
If you approach this in any other way, you are merely guessing and that only serves to replace unnecessary parts and wastes money.

Every engine requires spark, fuel and compression to run. That's what we have to look for.

These are the basics that need to be tested and will give us the info required to isolate a cause.

1) Test for spark at the plug end of the wire using a spark tester. If none found, check for power supply on the + terminal of the coil with the key on.

2) Test for injector pulse using a small bulb called a noid light. If none found, check for power supply at one side of the injector with the key on.

3) Use a fuel pressure gauge to test for correct fuel pressure, also noticing if the pressure holds when key is shut off.

4) If all of these things check good, then you would need to do a complete compression test.

Once you have determined which of these functions has dropped out.
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Wednesday, February 24th, 2016 AT 8:31 AM
Tiny
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Thank you very much
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Wednesday, February 24th, 2016 AT 8:54 AM
Tiny
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I only had this car for 5 months and I'm still making payments for it. It's frustrating
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Wednesday, February 24th, 2016 AT 8:55 AM
Tiny
DOCHAGERTY
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Just a thought here.
Looking at the printout and asking for clarity: Is this a no crank or a crank, no start condition? It was never clearly stated in the original post. Just my $.02
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Wednesday, February 24th, 2016 AT 9:01 AM
Tiny
ADRIANMARCHAN
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Crank, no start condition
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Wednesday, February 24th, 2016 AT 9:09 AM
Tiny
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Clear all faults. Isolate battery and charge completely. Reconnect battery and re-read faults. If any are present, clear them. Key off and out. Count to 30. Attempt to start car (In neutral, foot on brake) Tell me what happens.
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Wednesday, February 24th, 2016 AT 9:16 AM
Tiny
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I tried that a few days ago, the car drove for a few then kept shutting down.
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Wednesday, February 24th, 2016 AT 9:21 AM
Tiny
WRENCHTECH
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How about we go back to the testing I gave you in the first place and stop worrying about the computer that probably has nothing to do with why it isn't starting.
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Wednesday, February 24th, 2016 AT 9:24 AM
Tiny
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Now the car won't start
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Wednesday, February 24th, 2016 AT 9:24 AM
Tiny
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Someone told me an old belt might be stuck in the engine which is a common problem for these cars. And if that's the case it's expensive to fix
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Wednesday, February 24th, 2016 AT 9:28 AM
Tiny
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An old belt, well thats a possibility. Do you have more information?
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Wednesday, February 24th, 2016 AT 4:13 PM
Tiny
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If its and old belt that's stuck in the engine, what should I do?
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Wednesday, February 24th, 2016 AT 5:22 PM
Tiny
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Lets see if we can salvage this diagnostic. First, have you charged the battery and does the charging system work? If you do not know the correct answer, please do not make one up. The charging system is working if the battery voltage when running is >13.2 volts.
The "belt stuck in the engine" is a visible issue, do you see a belt? Is it broken?
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Wednesday, February 24th, 2016 AT 5:40 PM
Tiny
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I don't see a broken belt, I was thinking the previous owner installed a new belt but the old one is stuck inside
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Wednesday, February 24th, 2016 AT 11:47 PM
Tiny
KEN L
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Can I but in? Anyone think of the fuel pump, we had one in the shop a couple of days ago with the same problem, here is a video for it.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SYd5E4RgaPM

Let me know what you find
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Monday, March 7th, 2016 AT 4:28 PM
Tiny
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I asked for a fuel pressure test in the first answer.
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Monday, March 7th, 2016 AT 4:33 PM
Tiny
KEN L
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Yep I see that now.
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Monday, March 7th, 2016 AT 5:17 PM

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