[Miles B]

Hi

My '06 E92 323i started, ran for a few seconds, struggled, then died. Now it won't start. Not even a hint of firing. No issues before this, short of a replaced battery a couple months earlier after I left the lights on. I understand there is some sort of computer thing I am supposed to have done for the new battery, but I didn't. The car is still cranking and the battery seems OK. I keep charging it after each session cranking.

I checked the fuel pump and fuel injection fuses and the injection relay. Then I pulled the injector harness and a coil connector. The injector harness has a good 12V. Put a Bosch #2 noid light in an injector connector and the coil connector. Injector gave a very bright flash as expected. Coil gave a dim flash which I think is expected too?

Put the fuel pressure gauge on it. Hint for those struggling to get their fitting to seal - the BMW fitting on the rail is very short. You may need to trim your fitting to stop it hitting the rail before it contacts the o-ring. Got about 75-80psi while cranking. I gather it's normal for BMW not to prime the fuel system before cranking.

So I figure I have fuel and spark. Not sure if they're timed properly yet, but it's a good start.

Next I pulled a spark plug and hooked my compression tester up to it. I get about 60psi, but I think there is some sort of cam actuator that I need to adjust? And I need to use the BMW software to set it, right?

Assuming I can test it, and I have decent compression, what would you look for next?

Thanks !!

[ptpending]

Read the codes.

[Miles B]

I scanned it with a normal handheld and got nothing but the injector open circuit errors and a thermostat error.

Trying to get my hands on this ISTA software, but I need messaging enabled and apparently I can't get that for a week and have to reply to a certain number of posts too. It isn't looking good for this car!

[Miles B]

OK I have an older version of ISTA D running, but it's giving me comms errors in the log file with the OBD modules I use for Fords and Chevys. I've ordered a white cable from Amazon.

[Miles B]

I got the white cable and have ISTA D working. I did a vehicle test, results are attached.

Current odo is 219720km

As I work through the faults, they all say "not currently present".

The fuel injector ones are interesting.. the mileage reading is 8km ago. I have had the injectors detached to test, and I do get 12V and a bright pulse on the noid light. But 8km ago is weird, if that can be trusted? The engine temperature on them is 27C, engine status ST and the engine speed is 128. Voltage is 10.66. I gather that means it picked this up while cranking. No idea why the mileage is 8 behind though.

I don't see anything else that should stop it from firing, at least a little.

My next thought is to continue with the compression test. Anyone got any better ideas, or hints on how I do it? I think I need to manually open the intake cam actuator and monitor that in ISTA, but I could use a hint where to start...

Thanks

[Miles B]

I gather from a youtube video that there should be an ABL procedure somewhere that allows me to check the valvetronic eccentric shaft angle.

I looked under vehicle management - repair/maintenance. I can't seem to find any ABLs anywhere. Do I have some sort of database issue??

[RVG1982]

Check for a vacuum leaks, car will not start with them. Don’t ask me how I know 🤣

[Miles B]

Thanks... any suggestions on where to check.. or how? I'm used to checking once the engine is running. Smoke test I guess? Otherwise just kinda inspect for bad hoses? I'll start searching, but are there any common suspects?

[RVG1982]

Everything around the intake manifold, hoses for pcv, fuel tank purge etc. flex tube between air box and throttle body.

Was there any recent work done to the vehicle?

[Miles B]

Nothing recent apart from the new battery. I'll get the smoke hooked up as soon as this wind dies down. Fingers crossed.. it kinda fits that it started, struggled and then died. I haven't been able to run a compression test - can't find the procedure in my version of ISTA+ to move the eccentric shaft. Still waiting to get PMs so I can get a newer version. With the coils and injectors firing, my other theory was bad eccentric motor or jumped timing chain, but I'm not sure that fit with it starting and dying. Something falling off the intake would fit.

[Miles B]

OK.. after a faulty smoke tester from Amazon, I had to make my own. I hooked up approx 3psi smoke to the brake booster line. After a while, I noted some smoke coming out the MAF inlet as expected.

But I also noted smoke escaping from the plastic ball looking thing between cylinder 5 and 6 intake runners. There was smoke coming out the top, at what looks like a vent plug, and I think from the front where there's a pipe going into it.

Is that the crankcase ventilation, and is that normal? Is there a way to block it off to test starting? I'm thinking try to pull the hose off and block it off?

Or would I have to pull the intake to get at it?

Does a bad CCV usually prevent starting?

[ptpending]

the n52 engine always starts without valvetronic enabled
it is enabled after engine warmup, this is behavior by design and used by experienced people to understand what to diagnose
right after the start DME uses lambda sensors and hfm and intake flap to control revs
after warmup the intake flap opened permanently and air volume adjustment done by valvetronic

[Miles B]

Just checking if anyone has any thoughts on:

Is it likely the CCV is bad with the smoke result?

If so, is it likely this is what is stopping the car from starting?

How can I test if replacement will let the car start? Remove the intake, disconnect the CCV from the two ports and temporarily block them off? I just want to see if the car will fire up before I order the parts.

[Miles B]

I pulled the intake and blocked the two ports that led to the CCV.

No change.

Car is going to the scrap yard.

Thanks to RVG1982 for contributing.

[1smallparrot5]

Dayum, Well what I would do is first replace those hoses, unplug maf sensor if you haven't already, And when your attempting to start the vehicle does it read out rpm? Better question does it turn over at all?(My apologies if I missed replies that answered my question already its 1:40 am)

(edit I read it does crank See if you get a rpm Readout if you dont then think about getting a crankshaft position sensor from the junkyard)

[Tambohamilton]

I'd focus on A0B2. All this stuff about compression and vacuum leaks etc is irrelevant to the no start issue, IMO.

A0B2 is a CAS fault, so it's one that will probably prevent the engine running entirely.

https://www.b i m m e r f e s t.com/threads/bmw-325i-n52-rough-idle-no-start-a0b2-2f44-cda7-a670.1411080/ (remove spaces)

I'd also clear all those fault codes and scan again.

[ptpending]

i agree
without ELV operating there will be not ignition activation at all
simple job for qualified electrician