[bmw48]

can anyone help i have a 3t ews alarm fitted to my car and the car intermittently wont start. resetting the alarm then disarming it 2 or 3 times usually works but sometimes its 9 or 10. i am an ex bmw mechanic some 20 years ago and specalised in electrics and alarms but prior to e36 models.
i have dropped glove box down found ews unit, which wires are for fuel pump cut out as all wires are thatcham spec black

 

[Ferret]

The EWS and the alarm are not intertwinned (sp ?)
With you unlocking and locking then it starting, that'll just be coincidental.

When your trying to start the car, does the engine crank or not ?

 

[bmw48]

hi ferret sorry i missed ure post been trying ti ID wires going into control box none of which are imobilisers. in answer to ure question it cranks but dosent fire

 

[Ferret]

It cranks, but doesn't fire - Well that suggests an issue with the engine side of things, not the immob' as that disables the starter. I could be wrong though.

And to answer your PM, yes, your key has a chip in it - I know that, because you said you've found the EWS module, so it must have a chip.

 

[bmw48]

ow no that opens a can of worms have been told that e36s have fuel pump probs ever heard that

 

[Ferret]

I've just swapped my pumps over, but mine was making gurgling noises like it was sucking up air when it was priming... But I can't say it's a common occurance for the pumps. The main issue with them is the fuel sender stops working as a wire breaks.

The only thing I could think that might be your problem is your crank sensor might have bit the dust.

Wait for other people's input on the EWS issue, just incase i've overlooked something, then i'd take it and get the codes read off !

 

[bmw48]

crank sensor hummmm been out of touch for to long, the only thing i cant get is that when started the car is fine, never brokern down, coughed or spluttered in the 7 years ive owned it

 

[billywhizz1984]

Read my alarm / immobiliser guides, especially the bit on EWS....

[url]http://www.bimmerforums.co.uk/forum/f3/e36-alarm-identification-guide-3t-2t-3g-ews-t39173/[/URL]

The 3T alarm isn't cut into the fuel circuit but it does activate the immobiliser by sending the "double Lock" signal to EWS.

 

[bmw48]

Thank you billywhizz a bit clearer now engine cranks so key signal ok ews unit ok problem may be with dme unit is that a correct assumtion.

 

[billywhizz1984]

Yes, the immobiliser cuts the starter circuit so if it was active you'd get nothing.

If yours is an early E36 I recommend you check these electrical basics first...

1) Boot lid wiring - This can cause all sorts of weird problems....

[url]http://www.bimmerforums.co.uk/forum/f17/1997-e36-318is-coupe-bootlid-wiring-look-what-t52071/[/URL]

2) That the DME isn't damp - The scuttle drain holes is early cars can get clogged and water overflows into the DME compartment...

[url]http://www.bimmerforums.co.uk/forum/f3/how-to-clean-out-e36-windscreen-scuttle-drains-t32501/[/URL]

[url]http://www.pelicanparts.com/bmw/techarticles/E36-DME-Repair/E36-DME-Repair.htm[/URL]

[url]http://forums.bimmerforums.com/forum/showpost.php?p=5552421[/URL]

After these you can run through all the other diagnostics.

 

[Ronnie]

Have you got fuel and spark?

Can you hear the fuel pump prime up underneath the rear seat base? and then run when you crank the car over?

 

[bmw48]

thanx again m8 loads of really useful info. its great to see a site like this with loads of helpful and informed peeps.