Help...hubby wants to get rid of her

[saleswman525]

Hi, I am new to this site...I need help quick. Bought a 1992 525 with a "trans code" problem. Been sitting for 6 months....tried to start it and it started yesterday....well today no start. Charged battery, ckd plugs, put new gas in it.....Hubby is not happy...

Ok...could trans code make it not start or visa versa? I cannot afford a new tranny right now.....what other reason would be for no spark to the engine....

I dont want to get rid of her......

Thanks,
Shirley

[Warren N.CA]

Hi, I am new to this site...I need help quick. Bought a 1992 525 with a "trans code" problem. Been sitting for 6 months....tried to start it and it started yesterday....well today no start. Charged battery, ckd plugs, put new gas in it.....Hubby is not happy...

Ok...could trans code make it not start or visa versa? I cannot afford a new tranny right now.....what other reason would be for no spark to the engine....

I dont want to get rid of her......

Thanks,
Shirley

[Tiger]

It would help if you state where you are located... maybe one of us dedicated E34 Bimmerheads would be kind enough to come over and assist.

Check with bmwe34.net for all the info on your car.

[ryan-roopnarine]

won't make it not start, your battery may have taken a dump....my 525i, i know by experience, will start with as little as 11.0 volts, but if its stone cold dead, won't take a jump through the remote start terminal for its life.....have you tried starting it by jumping it, not by battery charge?

[Erich M]

If you get the "Trans Code" alarm, this is your first indication that your voltage is low. It happened to me on my '95 525iA. I topped off the battery with some distilled water, and the alternator took care of the rest. I agree that if you have had the car sitting for six months and the battery was marginal to begin with, try recharging it or bite the bullet and purchase a new one. An original BMW battery is not necessary nor cheap. Interstate makes a good replacement which if it proves to be the solution to your problem, is much cheaper than a new trans.

[mholbrook]

This months Roundel has the Hack Mechanic having some odd problems with a 525 that were cured totally by installing a new battery. I'd second the recommendation for a new battery. The battery in my 535 is not the original size for BMW so I'm pretty sure you can get something from Kragen or other that will not cost more than $60 however the interstate battery would be much better. Disconnecting the battery during the change will clear the codes and clear the computer and trans memory as well. Let it idle for a few minutes after you start it for the memory the get collected.

Mike Holbrook

[Unregistered]

won't make it not start, your battery may have taken a dump....my 525i, i know by experience, will start with as little as 11.0 volts, but if its stone cold dead, won't take a jump through the remote start terminal for its life.....have you tried starting it by jumping it, not by battery charge?


Thanks for the reply, we did the jump, then we took out the battery and charged overnight the next day. All the other electronics work fine....the car ran the first day, and now nothing....Hubby is from the "old school" of 63 chevys.....not a BMW guy....

Put new gas in it too.....

[Unregistered]

It would help if you state where you are located... maybe one of us dedicated E34 Bimmerheads would be kind enough to come over and assist.

Check with bmwe34.net for all the info on your car.


Hello,

We are located in Atlanta....off exit 6 on 400. Trying to fix her ourselves....my job got eliminated so we are not in the position to replace the tranny if we can avoid it.....


Thanks,
Shirley

[saleswman525]

Hey gang,

I just love you guys.....I have been trying to get this issue sorted out for a week.

Ok..this is what we have done so far...

1. Sprayed starting fluid into thru trottle body to try and get it running....did not work.

2. Charged battery, new gas

Will only turn over not run...ran the first day, has not run since.

No spark to spark plugs that we can tell.....HELP!!!!

Thanks for all of the responses thus far!!!!

Shirley

[Tiger]

Never use starting fluid please! Sound like you may simply have a bad crankshaft sensor... if this is not working, car won't start no matter how long you crank.

[Saleswman525]

Never use starting fluid please! Sound like you may simply have a bad crankshaft sensor... if this is not working, car won't start no matter how long you crank.

Oh crap Tiger, like I said......hubby is from the old school of auto repair...thinks starting fluid fixes most things....kinda like a lawn mower. I tell ya if I don't get a Bentley's manual soon, I will have a DOA 525. I will try that tomorrow....can you think of anything else? How about the ECM....what are the symptoms of the ECM going bad?

BYW...thanks for being so patient with my "dumb" questions.....I really like this car and am so excited to have her....even if she doesn't run. Then I have to deal with the "trans code".

Whew.................


Shirley

[Saleswman525]

Oh crap Tiger, like I said......hubby is from the old school of auto repair...thinks starting fluid fixes most things....kinda like a lawn mower. I tell ya if I don't get a Bentley's manual soon, I will have a DOA 525. I will try that tomorrow....can you think of anything else? How about the ECM....what are the symptoms of the ECM going bad?

BYW...thanks for being so patient with my "dumb" questions.....I really like this car and am so excited to have her....even if she doesn't run. Then I have to deal with the "trans code".

Whew.................


Shirley

[ryan roopnarine]

that your car woud completely stop if your ecu is dead....would try to measure resistance on the crankshaft pos. sensor (the one on the front of the engine, bolted on with allen bit)....good place to start. if i was closer (gainesville fla) i would take a jaunt over there...but there are surrogates here if you're willing to troubleshoot the car by electronic (internet) means.

[Tiger]

Computer rarely goes bad... it is not like Windows... slamming door won't help nor hurt it.

[Tiger]

Trans prog error might go away by itself... weak battery is enough to trigger that... like everyone here said.

[saleswman525]

Trans prog error might go away by itself... weak battery is enough to trigger that... like everyone here said.


Thanks,

I think my plan will be to buy a new battery this weekend. Then locate the crankshaft sensor whereever that is.......Can you tell, I am trying to do this fix on my own......want to prove that I can resolve this 525 issue without my hubby's help......just yours.....LOL...and the rest of the gang!!!

I am bidding on a Bentley's manual on ebay....tried to get them to sell early....but no luck.....so hopefully by Sat I will have diagrams where everything is located....

Thanks again for your responses.... Please don't think I am ignorant.....I am just a new 525 owner that happens to be a stubborn female....LOL

Shirley

[Bimmer Nut Ed]

http://www.bimmernut.com/~edbimme2/cranksensor.JPG

It's the silver thing in the middle (Crank Position Sensor).

Just grab it and see if it's loose.

It's hard to get at but can be reached from above and below. It's in front of the engine and reads the position of the crank off that front pully that bolts up to the crankshaft (the one with the teeth to the right on the pic).

[Saleswma525]

http://www.bimmernut.com/~edbimme2/cranksensor.JPG

It's the silver thing in the middle (Crank Position Sensor).

Just grab it and see if it's loose.

It's hard to get at but can be reached from above and below. It's in front of the engine and reads the position of the crank off that front pully that bolts up to the crankshaft (the one with the teeth to the right on the pic).


WoW......This board is absolutely amazing!!!!

Hubby gone to get the battery now!!!


Thx,
Shirley

[ryan roopnarine]

on your car (525i aft 90) it is upside down (compared to that pic) and can be seen if you look on the front plane of your engine, bolted to a bracket by an allen bit..you'll have to follow the cable back to do try to test it (and as has been said here before, the basic resistance test may or may not rule out a broken sensor).

[Saleswman525]

on your car (525i aft 90) it is upside down (compared to that pic) and can be seen if you look on the front plane of your engine, bolted to a bracket by an allen bit..you'll have to follow the cable back to do try to test it (and as has been said here before, the basic resistance test may or may not rule out a broken sensor).
Ryan & Ed

Thanks, will let you know.....Just thought of something....after we got the car home, from Dallas. Upon first start up the ck engine light came on.....but it really has not since....could that have anything to do why the engine wont fire now? The engine did sound really good when it ran for all of 5 minutes....but have not gotten it to run since..... I won't be defeated!!!Ha ha

Shirley

[Saleswman525]

I am now a registered poster.....no more guest :D

[Bill R.]

you spray it directly into the throttle or through the air cleaner ... ?





I am now a registered poster.....no more guest :D

[Brandon J]

Have you checked for any stored trouble codes? Go here to see how to do the stomp test: http://member.rivernet.com.au/btaylor/BMWText/technical/MotronicFaultCodes.html

[MBXB]

Hang in there, Shirley
If this board can't figure it out, no one can.
You have email.
MBXB

[George M]

...ever once in a while a really nice jesture is to give in to your significant other. Probably giving in to Hubby will pay manifold dividends in your relationship down the road. A simple solution is to schedule a flatbed and have them pick the car up and ship it to me...win....win.
I am in Michigan,
George

[Saleswman525]

OMG MBXB......I am lucky to get my posts on here....will try to find email......

or my regular email is Saleswman@aol.com.....go figure....LOL

[Saleswman525]

George.....

I didn't know where you were going with that....ha ha ha ha......sorry but its my little red headed girl....that I never had...... I would just like to get her running....

Shirley

[KurtM]

Kurt
95 525ia

http://bimmer.roadfly.org/bmw/forums/e34/forum.php?postid=3888107&page=1

[Bill R.]

you spray it directly into the throttle or through the air cleaner ... ?update.

[Saleswman525]

This months Roundel has the Hack Mechanic having some odd problems with a 525 that were cured totally by installing a new battery. I'd second the recommendation for a new battery. The battery in my 535 is not the original size for BMW so I'm pretty sure you can get something from Kragen or other that will not cost more than $60 however the interstate battery would be much better. Disconnecting the battery during the change will clear the codes and clear the computer and trans memory as well. Let it idle for a few minutes after you start it for the memory the get collected.

Mike Holbrook


Mike...you referred to Roundel.....and the Hack Mechanic.....what is that?

Thanks,
Shirley

[G Feller]

You might as well join the BMW Car Club of America (BMWCCA):

http://www.bmwcca.org/index_flash.shtml

Roundel is the very nice monthly magazine of the club and probably worth the price of the membership ($35 or $40) all by itself. In addition you get 10% off any parts you buy at the dealer and opportunities to participate in all sorts of club events, driving schools, etc. The Hack Mechanic is one of the longest-running monthly columns in Roundel.


Mike...you referred to Roundel.....and the Hack Mechanic.....what is that?

Thanks,
Shirley

[Unregistered]

seems he had this problem & it was the CPS. Also, Bill R. asked you about how you used the spray start juice?

[Saleswman525]

Bill,

It was into the Trottle body. That was two days ago. Today letfoot stay down on gas pump, finally started . Finally started and ran 2500rpms for 2 minutes and then died again...won't start.....again......You guys must have all of the patience in the world...to figure these strangs things out....

[Saleswman525]

Brandon,

Thanks for the link......I printed it off and am going back out there to ck.....will let you know

Shirley

[Saleswman525]

Hey MBXB,

Thanks for the email are you here right now??

Shirley