Z3 1.9L engine now installed but won't start.....

[Barry Gadd]

Finally I've got a replacement engine fitted to my Z3. It's taken 2-3 weeks (call me Captain Slow!!!)
I filled it up with oil and water and tried to start but nothing......
When I had a Mazda MX-3 I used to short out a couple of pins in the diagnostic socket and put an LED between 2 other pins. It was then possible to count the long flashes (10's) and short flashes (units) and read the error codes. I don't have the pukka diagnostic reader for a Z3,is it possible to improvise like I could with the Mazda???
I bought the car with 1 BMW key (the fob shows a yellow light when pressed) I've no idea if the immobiliser is working or if is preventing the engine from starting.
Is there any systematic check list on the ZRoadster club website I can follow?
Any help would be much appreciated.

 

[deano1712]

Was the previous engine running ok with the same ecu? If so there is no reason the ews would stop it firing. Is it turning on the starter?

 

[vintage42]

What happens when you turn the key? Does the starter work. Do the plugs get a spark. Do the injectors get fuel. If the engine does not run at all, I wonder what a code reader can read. But I think you will need a real code reader to get the codes.
The yellow LED in the key is only to illuminate the key hole. I don't think the key knows that a new engine was fitted, as long as none of the electronics were changed.

 

[Barry Gadd]

Hi,
Thanks for the speedy replies.
I bought the car as a non-runner. The oil was a milky white and the previous owner and I both thought the headgasket had blown.I removed the head and the gasket was fine but the cylinder head had corroded between the bore and adjacent water channel. It then turned out cheaper to buy a replacement engine than get the head skimmed/pressure tested.
The car hadn't been used for several months by the previous owner due to the water in oil problem.
The M44 B19 engine I bought was a runner and only sold as the owner wanted to put in a 2.8L engine. It came with full harness starter/alternator ECU etc.
I tried replacing my ECU with the one that came with the engine but same results.
How can I check if the immobiliser is preventing the car from starting?

 

[Barry Gadd]

Oops. Sorry I forgot to add the starter motor is turning the engine over as it should.

 

[zedonist]

The key needs to match the EWS system and then send the signal to the ECU, ie coded to the ECU, if these are a matching set then the immobiliser will turn off when the key is placed in the barrel. If the signal is not sent or accepted then the car will not start, and I believe that includes the starter motor, so if I am correct it may not be the immobiliser, hopefully someone else can concur?

If it is the EWS system, then this normally needs dealer assistance.

If not the immobiliser and the car was running when you bought it,then it is possibly something simple,

Have you connected all harnesses correctly and ensured all earths are good? Do you have a good battery is it giving greater than 12 v? Are the plugs connected in the right order? Is the coil pack plugged in? Does the fuel pump energise?

Other than the above you need to ensure you are getting fuel and spark, and perhaps engine codes, the cheapest option is a wifi elm device obd2 to OBD cable and an iPhone with the app EOBD-Facile.

It is hard to provide help without being there to see what is going on.

 

[deano1712]

If its cranking on both ecu's then Im surprised. Only one will be matched to the ews. I too thought it wouldnt crank with immobiliser active. If you cant find anything obvious wrong with it (fuel supply?) then i would do ews delete to take that out of the equation. Google search ews2 delete for details.

 

[t-tony]

You could also try a quick spray of easy start into the induction whilst cranking, if it then fires you have a fuel issue. Did you connect the crankshaft position sensor, easily overlooked.

 

[Barry Gadd]

I've checked a few more things:-
1) I am getting a spark
2) When the ignition light is on I can't hear any sounds of a pump clicking or whirring.....
3) The spark plugs are not wet or smelling of petrol....

I guess my next move is to check the pump relay (I've checked the fuses and they are fine). The Haynes 3 series manual shows the pump relay as being in the big fuse box under the bonnet in front of the passenger side of the bulkhead but this is obviously different for the Z3. Is the relay under the passenger side of the dashboard behind the glove box?? If so what's the best way of getting to it? (or are there a couple of easier to get to contacts where I can apply 12v to see if the pump will work?)
Lastly what's the best way to access the pump assuming it is duff?

Thanks for the above replies. Hopefully I'm nearly there...

 

[oldcarman]

My Bentley book says 96 relay rear of engine comp. 97-up above drivers side kick panel
To run fuel pump remove relay and connect socket for relay terminal 30 to the socket for relay terminal 87 with a fused jumper wire. After completing test remove jumper wire.
Caution: the fuel pump relay is a four pin relay and has a 1.5mm2 red wire at terminal 30 in the relay socket. Terminal 87 has a 1.5mm2 green/violet wire.
Note: jumper should be 1.5mm2 (14 gauge) and include an in line fuse with a 15 amp fuse. Also include a toggle switch or buy BMW tool no 61 3 050.
Hope this helps, JIM

 

[Barry Gadd]

Thanks for speedy reply Jim.
Weather permitting I'll have a play tomorrow...

 

[oldcarman]

My best buy ever!! Got the manual a month ago and go through a section at a time hoping by the time my car arrives from the UK I should have a pretty good grasp on what's making it tick. My 9 year old granddaughter has started reading it too! It was she that picked the Z3 to buy. About a year ago she saw a Z4 and started checking the computer and came and said" grampa let's get a Z3 or a ford F150, but I like the BMW" so went shopping with a budget and ended up in UK with a 97 m44. Some guy's going to get a good one some day. Good luck, hopefully it's just the relay. JIM

 

[Barry Gadd]

Hi Jim,
Lucky guy having a grandchild.... I'm an old codger of 73 still waiting for mine.....Neither of my sons seem to be in any hurry but they are both settled,happy and very fit.
I've had lots of cars and thoroughly enjoy playing with them. I bought the Z3 thinking I would just have to replace the headgasket but I was very wrong.....thanks to eBay I've got another engine and lots of spares as a result. Being retired I can take my time but the Z3 club has many more knowledgeable than me so it's great to get help when they tell you how.
Regards
Barry

 

[oldcarman]

Wow! 73, Barry I thought I was probably the oldest at going on 67. My oldest son is in Santiago, Chile for the past 10 yrs and he and his partner presented me with my second grandchild, a boy, Jan 4 at age 38. So don't count the kids out quite yet. Hope the Zed turns out to be a relay but let me know if you need the info from the manual regarding the fuel pump or anything else. Keep me in the loop, I'm sure that car will live again, baby steps work best! JIM

 

[t-tony]

Barry , did you try a quick sniff of easy start?

 

[oldcarman]

Barry, check your fuel filter also, it could be plugged. JIM