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  #1  
Old 12-17-2018, 11:38 PM
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2003 3.0i E53 - Crank no start problem w/ a twist

2003 BMW X5 3.0i w/ 180k



After a lot of searching on the forum for somebody that has experienced anything similar to what I am battling right now and not having any luck I decided I just need to post. I was also looking for some sort of DME/TCM box diagram that shows/describes what modules are for what. Sorry if I missed something in my search. Also my first post so sorry if i leave out critical information.


Basically, my X5 was parked for the summer (6 months). I had the chance to drive something more fun and jumped at the chance. It was garage stored and hooked up to a battery charger during this time. I managed to go start/run it a couple times in the first couple months but not in the last 4 months (probably mistake #1). Went to start it back up recently and it cranked but would not start/run. Keeps cranking but just wont quite start. Tried jumping it and still wouldn't start. I checked the plugs and they were BAD. Replaced those and still cranks but wont run. Started checking fuses (both in the back compartment and glovebox) but didn't find any blown fuses. Plugged in the code reader but its not showing any codes. We did a spark test. Made sure there is fuel @ the rail. Just cant figure out why it wont run. Then I stumbled upon the fuse/relay box in the engine compartment..


So a mouse had made my DME/TCM box its home for the summer. Lots of chewed wires but nothing appeared to be chewed through. Taped up all the wires nicely so nothing is exposed now. Checked the fuses in the remote fuse box and they were good. Tried to start it again and it still cranks but wont start.


Next step is going to be checking the voltage to the relays and modules in that fuse box. Or should I just throw my hands up now and walk away? I've never had a rodent problem in a vehicle and the one time i do, its probably the worst possible vehicle. Other things i thought about are the fuel filter and MAF sensor?



I also don't know what all the modules and relays in that box are for. Any information on that or suggestions on what to do would be awesome! I've used this forum to troubleshoot some previous issues and found this site super helpful so I'm hoping somebody can point me in the right direction



Thanks!
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  #2  
Old 12-17-2018, 11:49 PM
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OK, so you have spark at the plugs, and fuel at the rail. Did you check to see if you have injectors pulse to the injectors?
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Old 12-18-2018, 08:30 AM
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I would bet money it's a chewed through wire you just missed. It could be outside the ebox but I would start with some piercing probes and test each wire across the section where you taped them up. I've repaired many wires over the years where it just looked like the insulation was damaged yet they were also broken inside.

I've also repaired an organ where a mouse made a home and severed about 20 wires, all white, some were cut in multiple places so I had to reverse engineer and figure out where the wires were supposed to go. Did I mention they were all white?

What scan tool do you have? Get it running and read some realtime data and confirm you have a reading for intake and exhaust cam position, injector duration, I'm betting one of the mission critical sensor wires is cut
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Old 12-18-2018, 09:32 AM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by andrewwynn View Post
I would bet money it's a chewed through wire you just missed. It could be outside the ebox but I would start with some piercing probes and test each wire across the section where you taped them up. I've repaired many wires over the years where it just looked like the insulation was damaged yet they were also broken inside.

I've also repaired an organ where a mouse made a home and severed about 20 wires, all white, some were cut in multiple places so I had to reverse engineer and figure out where the wires were supposed to go. Did I mention they were all white?

What scan tool do you have? Get it running and read some realtime data and confirm you have a reading for intake and exhaust cam position, injector duration, I'm betting one of the mission critical sensor wires is cut
Could be a chewed through wire, but which wires? I would bet that the ground wire for the injectors is the one that is chewed through. The DME provides a ground signal to all the injectors. The ground signal is sent to open the injector for the gas to be squirted into the intake manifold. Positive voltages is present at the injector with key on so only a ground signal is needed to complete the circuit.
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2006 Infiniti G35
2001 BMW 3.0I E53 X5 Build date 08/2000 SOLD
Lotus Europa 1970 Destroyed by fire
Lotus Europa 1970 S2 Renault Powered
Lotus Type 52 1970 Twincam Webers Powered
PORSCHE 911 Targa 1982 The Garage Queen
Audi Avant donated to Kars for Kids
BMW 525IT Sold
Audi 4000CS Quattro Sold
Jensen Healey Lotus Powered Sold
Opel 1900 Sold
Triumph Spitfire 1971 Sold
Triumph Spitfire 1968 Sold
Plymouth "Cuda" 340 Six pack SOLD
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  #5  
Old 12-18-2018, 09:54 PM
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Thanks for the replies guys!


I plan on going back out to tomorrow after work to see what i can find. I will update as I start to narrow down the potential issues


Thanks again!
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