M54 no start problem, ideas?

[wpoll]

Originally Posted by SBBimmer

... "works on all vehicles".

Clearly it doesn't...

Sounds like the valve connection isn't opening the valve (depressing the centre pin).

[SBBimmer]

Originally Posted by wpoll

Sounds like the valve connection isn't opening the valve (depressing the centre pin).

That's my thought. I'm thinking of going to harbor Freight tomorrow (30 miles) to see if they have a different fitting or a kit with a different fitting, but I don't know what I am looking for

It just occurred to me (I guess I'm not very swift with this stuff) that I can confirm this is the issue by trying the pressure gauge on my other X5 that runs. I'll do that first, but if anybody knows what fitting I'm looking for please let me know.

[andrewwynn]

If you have an old school tire pressure gauge you can check the pressure but the gas will wreck the internal seals so think of it as a disposable fuel pressure gauge.

The HF kit is the one I have but test it at the store parking lot I had to exchange my first one that leaked.


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[SBBimmer]

Originally Posted by andrewwynn

You def.need to meausure actual fuel pressure.tge crazy thing is wife's car sounded like no spark when yr he problem was weird fuel.

Static pressure was 50 but once I eventually did get it started it would jump from 48-50 or something like that.

I finally got a fuel pressure gauge that, sort of, fits*. With the fuel pump relay jumped it is showing a steady 48.5 psi at the fuel rail. For comparison, with the motor running on my older X5 it was showing 49.75 psi, pretty close to the 50 psi Andrewwynn suggested. But the engine still does not fire.

What should I look at next?

*I went to two different Harbor Freights, first one didn't have what they said they had, second one guy told me the only way to use their kits was to take the Schrader valve out (which I really didn't want to do), so I ordered an OTC 5630 which was advertised as "for Volvo and BMW" from Amazon. i'm living up in the mountains at the moment and it took a while to get here. It only has one fitting, which screws on, but even using plumbers tape and snugging it with a pair of pump pliers it leaks a bit of fuel on both cars.

FWIW my fuel filter and pressure regulator are new, put on just after this problem cropped up.

[80stech]

If this all started after you filled your tank maybe you should be questioning what you filled it with?

[SBBimmer]

Originally Posted by 80stech

If this all started after you filled your tank maybe you should be questioning what you filled it with?

I'm pretty sure of what I filled it with, I've had my hand in the gas tank a few times now and this seems to be gas to me. I know what diesel smells and feels like, they do sell it where I bought this, but this isn't diesel and it's a gas station I use regularly. As I said at the beginning, my first thought was that I stirred up muck when I put the new gas in the tank, it is a 16 year old car, and the fuel filter I took off looked original. But maybe the gas fill up before the problem was just coincidental. I can believe in one coincidence but not two in a row.

[andrewwynn]

Error code? This feels like EWS sync problem.

Pull a plug/coil and with helper see if you are getting spark (best with spare plug so you aren't venting fuel out the plug hole).

When wife's FPR failed I eventually got it to start with about 100 seconds of cranking in 8 second bursts. Initial attempts no sign of life at all just like no spark or no fuel.

[SBBimmer]

No error codes. I've scanned multiple times, but can check again tomorrow. I will also try a 100 second cranking regimen. I haven't done that. I'll need to get a friend up here to check the spark, not sure when I can make that happen...but I'd like this resolved.

[X5chemist]

How many keys do you have? It wouldn’t hurt to initialize them. First, lock and unlock it with a key manually. Try a start afterwards. If it goes low on power, mine will crank but not start. After a manual lock and unlock, it starts up.

[SBBimmer]

After unsuccessfully trying the 100 second cranking protocol I ran codes again and this time I got code D1 (DME: Anti tampering protection EWS), which fits with adrewwynn's thoughts. I was fortunate to find this earlier thread on that code:

https://xoutpost.com/bmw-sav-forums/...-no-start.html

But like others, my Foxwell NT510 Elite had trouble communicating, sometimes it wouldn't find the module, other times it would get halfway in and stop. I input the model manually to no avail and finally decided to try updating the Foxwell. That update has been running for hours but it says not to disturb it. In the meantime I saw this thread:

https://xoutpost.com/bmw-sav-forums/...ml#post1177584

Here Redraptor141 explains that because of different build dates for the modules I may need to try inputting different build dates for my car. I will try that as soon as the Foxwell update is complete (if ever).

I also found andrewwynn's explanation of how to test for spark solo ("To verify spark solo put paper between the electrode and ground it will burn a hole"). if the ECS reprogramming fails I will try that tomorrow.

And, belatedly, I have seen X5chemist's pots:

Originally Posted by X5chemist

How many keys do you have? It wouldn’t hurt to initialize them. First, lock and unlock it with a key manually. Try a start afterwards. If it goes low on power, mine will crank but not start. After a manual lock and unlock, it starts up.

I have 2 diamond head keys. I have tried them both and just tried the manual lock/unlock, but no joy. I can try reinitializing them tomorrow.

Oddly I feel closer to a solution than I have in a week. Thanks to everyone for their help.