dude this is crazy, its the worst thing when there is no online help or clues. but to watch someone figure something like this in semi-real time is effin crazy bro!! I have an e34 but this but amazing to watch, keep it up dude.

@m3nameisjosh464

Жыл бұрын

Thank you so much man!! I appreciate that

@donporter8432

8 ай бұрын

What a freaking nightmare! Congrats on the conquest!

excellent video. this is the real work that creates the support system for enthusiasts everywhere. well done

@m3nameisjosh464

Жыл бұрын

Thank you man!

Great video! Have had intermittent shutdowns and no starts for awhile on my 1987 E30 Cabiolet, these became more frequent over the past two months once I removed one know potential problem. Acquired a new main relay, additional used fuel pump/O2 relays and already had a spare ECU on hand. Had similar run, shutdown and no start issues that would correct themselves or would disappear once I did some things like, try multiple starts, try a restart while in motion, bang on the dash, and of all things the latest, shift in to reverse to check for backup lights. Finally the gremlin remained so I could do some serious troubleshooting with my multimeter, I had already replaced main and fuel pump relays and ECU to no avail. I finally go to check things out at ECU connector and discovered that when grounding pin 36 (on a 55 pin ECU) the main relay did not close and I had no ground at pin 85 on that relay. I had already begun to suspect that the issue could have something to do with the immobilizer function of the on board computer and i had figured out at #:00 AM this morning that I could fashion a bridge to connect pin 30 to both pin 87's and make at least some things work. I made this bridge and did a little more reading online and then did a more specific search on KZread and came across your video, which prety much confirmed my belief. After daybreak and the rain stopped, I installed my bride and it immediately cured the problem of no Check Engine Light (CEL) and set the IACV to buzzing as normal, but the car did not fire up. That's when I resorted to fumbling around for the wiring at the On Board Computer Relay Box with the ignition on until I got the CEL and IACV working, tried the igniyion and it fired right up. Their is a two prong connector near the OBCRB with a green and Green/red stripe wire near the box. If you unplug that connector, the car will die and not start, it can also be a problem and I think that is where mine originated.Iknow I'm long winded being an engineer, but I think my bridge cured the no CEL or IACV problem, but did not allow for sending th start signal to pin 27 of the ECU so that the car would actually fire up. That's an important issue to keep in mind. I never got dow the troubleshooting tree to the point where I tested pin 27 at the ECU. Hoper this helps some people. Proud 25 year owner (69 years old) of said automobile, who has done all work on car, including rebuilding A/C compressor and steering rack and much more, except for transmission/clutch R&R.

@m3nameisjosh464

Жыл бұрын

Awesome to hear and glad it was sorted out! Thank you for sharing!!

Dude this saved my life cause over the past 3 months i was trying to figure out the issue with mine and it was basically solved thanks to this

@m3nameisjosh464

Жыл бұрын

Love to hear it!!

Thank you very much Josh. My E30 325i was having the same issue and I just gave the box a tap and she started right up. You're a lifesaver! Cheers!

@m3nameisjosh464

9 ай бұрын

Happy to hear!!

Thank you. I have an 85 325e. The generosity of you tubers is much appreciated.

Same issue, gonna check that connection out!

Nice work on troubleshooting. Another one for the historical archives

@m3nameisjosh464

Жыл бұрын

Thank you sir!

such a cool video! i love that you told us everything you tried

Really great info to share!! Thank you!!

This thing is awesome dude. Thanks for the help. Just bought myself a 325e with a 5spd manual and I am looking to learn more abt these problems and I have big plans. Hoping you keep it around for a while.

@m3nameisjosh464

Жыл бұрын

Thank you man!

This VIDEO IS GOATED🙏🙏🙏 you’re absolutely correct in what you said about how this particular problem is not something you can easily find a solution to online. This helped out immensely thank you!! My E28s particular issue was that the external fuel pump is not getting any electrical current. But now I know to check the relay I can’t believe I forgot about that.

@m3nameisjosh464

10 ай бұрын

Glad it helped

I have a 1986 325es and I’m having very similar issues. Thankyou for this video love the content!!!

@m3nameisjosh464

Жыл бұрын

Happy to help man!

Dude I had the exact same issue on my 87’ 535i, huge help thank you!

@m3nameisjosh464

Жыл бұрын

My pleasure!

Great video bro, really something needed on the internet. I had a similar issue with an E30. Apparently BMW runs the signal through that box to de-activate the start up of the car if the wrong or no code is put into the on-board computer. Of course if the box itself is faulty it'll just assume the car has been burgled. Keep up the good work bro.

@m3nameisjosh464

Жыл бұрын

Good to know the background to the issue! Thanks man!

Great content. I have a similar problem for a week. Drives me crazy. Thank you

@m3nameisjosh464

Жыл бұрын

Happy to help!!

I am going to try this. If this works your a God for putting this video up

That looked like a massive hassle, very well done! But that Acura is really messing with the sight. Get your mom an E53 X5 4.8is, she needs to ride in style. 😄

@m3nameisjosh464

Жыл бұрын

Hahahsh I should convince her!

Thank you for taking the time to do this video. I had checked everything except the pins on the DME and that was going to be my next test. I did not know about the box under the driver side dash and in all my research I never came across any info about this. I will check this today. IT SHOULD BE NOTED THAT WHEN I PARK MY CAR UP HILL AND IT RAINS, I GET WATER INSIDE AND IT FLOODS MY FLOOR BOARD. THE WATER COMES IN THAT SAME AREA AS THAT BOX YOU JUST DESCRIBED. THIS COULD MAKE A BIG DIFFERENCE FOR ME NOW THAT I KNOW ABOUT THIS BOX. THANKS AGAIN.

@m3nameisjosh464

Жыл бұрын

I hope this is your issue!!!

👍👍👍 having similar issues. Understandimg it better now

Excellent video again for information! That e30 appears to have the more optioned OBC where the car could be disabled unless a code was entered. Was a crazy feature of the time which was essentially a kill switch so your car couldn’t be started. My assumption is the loose connections for the OBC module were right for intermittent start. My mechanic solved this problem for me years ago but didn’t really explain what he fixed. Excellent information to troubleshoot this problem.

@m3nameisjosh464

Жыл бұрын

Thanks man!!

Excellent troubleshooting . Iooks like corrossion in connections are main problem in older electronic car systems

@m3nameisjosh464

4 ай бұрын

Thank you Bob. Id agree!

This video with the comments below have been incredible help in getting my e30 back on the road. I hope more people see this video and read the comments because they have been pivotal in my journey. Thanks

@m3nameisjosh464

Жыл бұрын

LOVE to hear this man!!! Glad it was helpful towards you!

Great video...I have the same weird problem with my 89 E30 325i...Mine is Motronic 1.1...kinda the same but a little different...Thanks for the video...BMWs 4 life!!! Love, peace, and bearing grease ^.^

@m3nameisjosh464

22 күн бұрын

@@SuperBongface happy to help! Good luck!!

Interesting I lost power the other week. I will check this out. Thanks 👊👍

Thanks bro! Solved the same problem in no time after I seen your video! 👌👍

@m3nameisjosh464

7 ай бұрын

Sweeet!!!

Going to give this a shot

It can also be cause by a poor solder joint. Relays get hot and the solder can fail and break the connection. This relay connect the main ignition so that's a lot of current flow.

Gracias por la información 👌 saludos desde Puerto Rico

Yep, had the same problem on my E30. Ended up splicing the wires together to a toggle switch, effectively acting as a killswitch

Big thanks dude ✌️✌️✌️✌️✌️

Was chasing this same issue on a late model 325i! Tried fuel pump, CPS, all of those relays and it still was intermittent. Changed the coil and it started running but I’m gonna check under the dash too if that played a factor. Thank you!!

@m3nameisjosh464

Жыл бұрын

Good luck my friend!

I'm having the same issue as you man with my E30 the 325e... I'm basically going through the same of what you are with this... I believe it's all the same problems... I have some parts coming that should be the answer I'm looking for... Love your work as always man, keep the videos coming!!!

@m3nameisjosh464

Жыл бұрын

Happy to help man!

@thisisyaren

Жыл бұрын

@@m3nameisjosh464 I have read that the check engine light should come on to show that there is power to the ECU and DME relay, is that correct?

@m3nameisjosh464

Жыл бұрын

@@thisisyaren this car didn’t do that

Nice thank you it will help

Man thank you!! I was beating my head against the wall. You saved me!!

@m3nameisjosh464

Жыл бұрын

Love to hear that!!

Thanks sooo muchoooo !!!!! For that video 🙌🏻🙌🏻🙌🏻🙌🏻🙌🏻

@m3nameisjosh464

6 ай бұрын

My pleasure!

More E30 content please, especially fixing it.Greetings from Greece.

@m3nameisjosh464

Жыл бұрын

Coming soon!

My bmw was cranking i switched my fuel pump relay, dme relay and now it won’t crank and the battery and alternator are new

I have a few e30 in shed that have this problem I give this a go 👍

@m3nameisjosh464

Жыл бұрын

Good luck!

Love the content always. You must get a 540i auto the manual swap it later. Because here i can only find b30 manual but overpriced as hell can buy 2 e34 540i auto for the price of 1 530i manual.

@m3nameisjosh464

Жыл бұрын

I’ve already had a b40 swapped manual e34 haha. Have a whole series on itb

You don’t understand how bad I needed this lmao

I bought a e30 325e about 5 months ago and set for about 3 months. Since I bought it I haven't been able to start it. It ran really bad when i drove it off the trailer when bringing it home for the first time. It took me 15 minutes to start but finally did. Till this day It doesn't not want to start and found a old alarm system but still doesn't want to start. Trying to find the root of the problem found a whole bunch of other problems that also needed attention to and checked for spark and no spark at all but my ground, my spark plugs, relays, ignition coil, fuel delivery is all good. Still not understanding the issues, but I did found a ground wire that was attached from the alarm but now I don't know where it is suppose to be hooked up, single brown wire coming from the back to the front on the drivers side foot well????? The brown wire I think has to do with the fuel pump as that is where my multimeter is reading it from, but still not sure where it is suppose to hook back up to factory.

Hahah had the some problem on my 325E it would shut off while I was driving !! Such a pain in the ass

@m3nameisjosh464

Жыл бұрын

Right!!!

Ran into a very similar issue on a 1985 Euro 635csi. The small 3 pin connector that connects to the bmw harness in the glovebox has a green wire. That green wire is what turns on the dme. It started at the ignition switch, then went through the OBC Relay Box, and then to the dme. The OBC relay box had failed and wasn't sending power any more. I just cut the wire off of the OBC relay box harness and spliced the green wires together off of the ignition switch and have had no problems for almost a year now. Strange problem and I think it only affected early e24's, could be different for e30's though.

@m3nameisjosh464

Жыл бұрын

Goood to know! Similar setup as this car!

@marc8979

Жыл бұрын

Do you have photos of how you spliced the wires together?

I really hope my 318i e30 has the similar module, because I have been replacing parts left and right on my 85, and it does exactly how you explained. It will start great drive and will flutter after a minute sometimes, and I'll shut it off. And won't even hit like there is no spark at all

@m3nameisjosh464

3 ай бұрын

I think it does. Good luck!

Tengo un 325es 1986 y no enciende he cambiado muchas cosas y todavía no logro encenderlo . Revisaré esto ! Gracias por la información

Rad! Now what wires do we jump to bypass the box? A quick Google search says the 2 green wires.

there is also a park relay on auto trans that can short

thank you, thank you. my 316i E30 probably has the same issue. Great video!!!!

i have this exact problem right now hahaha thanks, i swapped the fuel pump bcs i thought that was it but it isnt

I was wondering what did you use for the dme relay ?I checked mine and it’s all burnt

Thank you lord😂❤❤❤

Josh Do you know if the clutch line from the master to slave is the same on a 535 to a 540? I’m 420g swapping an e32 740 and couldn’t find much info on it

@m3nameisjosh464

Жыл бұрын

I am not sure on this. I dont see why they would be different though

I have a e30 with a m50b25 in and I have this problem at the moment and Im busy going through everything and just can’t find the problem it’s driving me crazy

*walks out to garage*

I would also add that a majority of the troubleshooting information I went tthrough would have led to me replacing the main realy (i already had) and the ECU ( Ialready had). i've been mechanicing for around 55 years and most of the reputable mechanics I have dealt with over the years would have replaced fuel pump, fuel pump relay, main relay, ignition coil, ECU, and ignition switch and still not solved the problem.

@m3nameisjosh464

Жыл бұрын

Thats why BMWs get bad rap because people really don't know how to fix them. Knowing these cars more than trained mechanics in the field is something I pride myself in!

Great acuont bro, i have a similar problem with my e34 what is the part called?

@m3nameisjosh464

Ай бұрын

This part isn’t on e34

Holy that was my problem.

@zaydogg

Жыл бұрын

i started having this issue before this video came out i couldnt figure it out for the longest time thank god for this video

I have the same model I have issues whit my dashlight do you now too something

I’ve been trying to figure out how to test what is wrong and figure out why mine won’t start this video is a great help but wtf is a jumper wire and how do I get my hands on one?

@m3nameisjosh464

9 ай бұрын

Just a length of spare wire from anything, cut it short so its a nice little loop and can connect 2 things

Hey man! Is this the same for an aftermarket ECU? Literally can start up in the morning and drive for hours. But once I turn car off it won’t start for hours

@m3nameisjosh464

3 ай бұрын

I think so as the power to any ecu is dependent on that box

I thought this was my problem. I parked my car for a few months then went back to start it and it would just crank. I checked everything. Was kind of stressing about it because I needed to move the car. I was checking the obc computer when I shorted the little box and killed my rpm and my obc. Little did I know it was my fuel pump that was stuck. I tapped it with a hammer and the pump turned on. So I caused another problem when the obc relay box wasn't it. It's real annoying because my gauges in my e30 always worked and now it doesnt

Hey josh, I might have the same issue with my e34 m50tu. Does e34s have obc relay too? Or what do you suggest?

@m3nameisjosh464

Жыл бұрын

I believe the E34 doesn’t have this. Ive never had an e34 give me issues from something like this

@mflow6374

Жыл бұрын

@@m3nameisjosh464 thanks. Great video as always

Why e30 m40 cant start and have a white smoke on engine?

I wish I would've seen this video about 16 years ago lol. I had a 325es that would do the exact thing.

@m3nameisjosh464

9 ай бұрын

😩😩😩

I can't see the box on my 1986 bmw 325e😅😅 it has the same problem but the computer onboard relay

I just bought my first 1986 325e e30 and it’s at my auto tech school and I don’t have spark or fuel,man do I hope this is the issue.

@m3nameisjosh464

Жыл бұрын

Good luck bro!

Im gonna try and find this box bro! I have exact same problem you had. I have checked everything youvhave checked the same way you did. My pins 18 and 27 are permanent and switched live on my wiring diagram aswell but pin 27 doesn't show any box on the diagram and my bmw is a 735 E32! So fuck knows where my box it that youvhad problems with! Wish me luck

Edit 2: when googleing "e34 keeps blowing headlight fuses", i keep reading mentions of the wiring in the boot, leading to the tail lights. People say they can cause weird shit to happen if in bad shape.. and yea, someone fucked around when trying to install rear parking sensors and a subwoofer. The rubber on the wires is cracked leaving exposed spots.. could that be the issue? Or one of them? Amd why the hell are my front fogs not turning on? Fuck me! Edit: alright, in my case it was the fuel pump. Replaced it, fired right up. Idle still swings sometimes, but not as often, probably needs a fuel filter change too. Thing is, i cant check if the old pump still works, dont even have a multimeter :/ i hate electrics. Still, after driving for an hour, if i shut engine off then restart soon after, temp gauge is stuck on max and fuel gauge near empty. when i turn the key to position 1 before starting, i keep hearing the quick click/tick. Its coming from somewhere below the MAF and air filter. This also only happens with a warm engine. Sometimes it can be heard when shitting the engine off, but only for a few seconds. Need to check a diagram and see what parts could be down there below the air filter. Maybe its the MAF itself? I have no fkn clue. Original comment: Oh my god, this might actually be it! You were right when you said that this isnt well documented on the net, i couldnt find anything even suggesting something like this. Its my first e34 (520i m50), so i basically have no idea what im doing, but i knew it was electrical for a while, kept doing a bunch of weird shit like constantly blowing headlight fuses, instrument cluster completely dying then returning to life, sometimes after a few minutes, others after an hour of driving; when the engine is warm, if i shut it off then restart it, heat gauge goes all the way to max temp, and fuel gauge shows almost empty. Stays like that until car cools off. Clock keeps resetting, it has the broken pixels, but at least i used to be able to somewhat read the mileage... Now its just a bunch of random lines. Idle would sometimes play erratic, kept swinging up and down 200-300 rpm, and now: bastard just left me stranded lol. (Oh, one more thing, when shutting the car off, i could hear ticking from the engine bay, and it would stop after a few seconds. It happens Pretty randomly, but more ofthen than not. The fuck?? And no, its not the hot pipes cooling off lol, it almost sounds like a metronome at high bpm) Thank god its only half a mile away from home. Died while driving. Cranks but wont start. No sound from the fuel pump. Last time she did this i was right at home, thank god, i cranked so much that i probably drained the battery, so i hooked ot up to the ol' civic and guess what: started right up! Hope i can get her running again long enough to get it home and take a look but yea; them fuckin gremlins are a nightmare. Will keep this comment updated soon as i make some progress. Dont hold back on help and tips, i need it lol Thanks!

anyone got the part number for that little box

i have all the same issues/symptoms and did exactly what you did but to no success. 🤦🏻‍♂️

@m3nameisjosh464

Жыл бұрын

Darn thats not good😩

Does an E36 also have this onc relay box or something similar? My E36 has an intermittent no start issue and its driving me nuts. Changed the fuel pump, fuel filter, fuel pressure regulator, cam position sensor... Its costing me a bomb. Tmrw imma have to go buy a crank sensor. 😭 Car just doesn't wanna start sometimes. Runs perfectly fine otherwise. No misfires, loss of power etc. And this happens randomly, nothing to do with if the engine is hot/cold or weather. I'm at my wits end already.

@ismailbeygirci9394

Жыл бұрын

i would check EWS module behind glove box. if its bad its preventing fuel and spark. bypass'ing it doesnt work so dont even bother trying it. Also check the ECU tray. water can leak to it

@m3nameisjosh464

Жыл бұрын

Id swap crank sensor for sure. And bypassing the ews sounds like a good idea too!

@MrSanjeevsan

Жыл бұрын

Thanks guys. I'll try the crank sensor first then I'll check the EWS. If the EWS is faulty, would it still crank though? I thought that a faulty EWS wouldn't allow it to crank, no? (I forgot to mention, when the car doesn't want to start, it keeps on cranking though, exactly like the issue that Josh was having).

@m3nameisjosh464

Жыл бұрын

@@MrSanjeevsan you’re correct, ews wouldn’t allow cranking. So likely not the issue. 9/10 times crank no starts are crank sensor related!

@MrSanjeevsan

Жыл бұрын

@@m3nameisjosh464 Thanks Josh. Yeah, then its 100% not my EWS as I've suspected. I hope its just the crank sensor and swapping in a new one solves my issues. #ShitBoxLife

This green pin is here if you have the big obc only, in europe it's rare to have one (and even more fonctionnal lol). The issue here can be in the obc too, it have "code lock system" inside, that can shut down the signal to the dme to start ! It can be an big hard time to find what go wrong sometime haha ! Another part that can go wrong with the start ignit is the "round" contactor behind the key older, it can give you full light on the dash but no signal to the starter or the dme.

@m3nameisjosh464

Жыл бұрын

Good to know! Thank you!!

i have this similar problem that i crank so hard but it fails to fire up. and then the next day it just starts ok. what is the connector on the driver side you mentioned? mine is a right hand drive.

@m3nameisjosh464

Жыл бұрын

Relay control module

@selespeed3

Жыл бұрын

@@m3nameisjosh464 I managed to start it one hour ago! My car does not have On board computer. It only has a clock. What is relay control module? Isn'tthere a relay found in the front engine compartment next to fuel pump relay?

@selespeed3

Ай бұрын

@@dtong1753 not really. now it fires up but it aint steady, like misfiring. unable to drive smooth. the engine sputters. i have changed the ignition cables and distributor cap and rotor and it still is the same. i am yet to change the crank sensor. I hope this is the culprit.

So how is it fixed

i checked box but not wire THANKS

I have a obd1 e36 with a m50 and it’s doing the same thing where it cranks has spark but won’t prime the fuel pump, confirmed the fuel pump works changed fuel filter fuel regular and cleaned the injectors yet nothing when I crank the key. Any ideas?

@m3nameisjosh464

Жыл бұрын

Its a power issue. Go watch my e36 revival video to see how to troubleshoot no fuel. Jump fuel pump relay and see if u hear pump

@Daveytoonasty

Жыл бұрын

@@m3nameisjosh464 I have jumped the relay and can hear the pump prime the problem is no power to the fuel pump fuse and when I turn the key and crank over the engine the fuel pump won’t prime

@Daveytoonasty

Жыл бұрын

@@m3nameisjosh464 where else could I look for something that causes the car to not give power to the fuel system?

@m3nameisjosh464

Жыл бұрын

@@Daveytoonasty main relay not closing? or fuel pump relay? If you hear pump with FPR jumped that means everything in the system is working, except the fuel pump relay and higher(main relay)

@Daveytoonasty

Жыл бұрын

@@m3nameisjosh464 how would I get the relay to work if replacing them with oem relays isn’t working? Keep in mind this is my daily driver and randomly didn’t start one day

My pin 18 has no power ???

Damn atleast your getting power to your starter any reason why my car just clicks and doesn’t turn anything on. Note battery is good

@m3nameisjosh464

Ай бұрын

Fusible link?

@zackcrow6375

Ай бұрын

@@m3nameisjosh464 reading good before and after the fuse so not that

@m3nameisjosh464

Ай бұрын

@@zackcrow6375 car has no power and battery is definitely good? Thats very odd

@zackcrow6375

Ай бұрын

@@m3nameisjosh464 car has power to everything inside but when I go to turn it over nothing happens just one click no fuel pump no starter no spark

@kushpaladin

11 күн бұрын

my e23 clicked like that when my starter was bad. also check the alternator if you havent

What if it’s no crank at all ?

@m3nameisjosh464

9 күн бұрын

@@Rekcity 95% dead battery, dead starter,

Pfff I wish I had this vid about a year ago, my local shop got me for $1700 for this 🥲

@m3nameisjosh464

Жыл бұрын

Ouchhh😩😩😩