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Thread: 540i Won't Start

  1. #1
    Join Date
    Jan 2004
    Location
    Tampa Bay, Florida, USA
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    900

    Default 540i Won't Start

    I get in my car yesterday and fire it up...cranks hard but won't catch. Battery reads 12.5 V; Half a tank of 93.

    I grab the Peake reader and it reads a 1A: Control Unit Supply

    Control Unit = DME?

    I'm off to check fuses and relay contacts.

    Thanks

    Ramon
    Ramon
    1994 540iA Nikasil EAT Chip
    Tampa Bay, Florida USA

  2. #2
    Join Date
    Dec 2003
    Location
    Dunlap Illinois
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    1,198

    Default

    Check fuse #23 it's a 15amp blue fuse in the box on the driver's side under the hood. It's the fuse to the fuel pump. Mine did the same thing day before yesterday. Replaced the fuse, all is good so far. I do hope it's not the pump on it's way out. It was however, the original fuse, so after 14 years maybe it just gave up.

    It's worth a quick check anyway. Hope it's something simple like that.

    JR

  3. #3
    Join Date
    Feb 2004
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    4,894

    Default

    If not the fuse, then CPS.

  4. #4
    Join Date
    Jan 2004
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    Tampa Bay, Florida, USA
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    Default

    Pulled all the fuses and relays, checked with a good continuity tester, NO bad ones, cleaned and sprayed them with contact cleaner.

    Checking the CPS next.
    Ramon
    1994 540iA Nikasil EAT Chip
    Tampa Bay, Florida USA

  5. #5
    Join Date
    Dec 2003
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    Eastern Tennessee USi
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    Default

    after CPS next stop is fuel pressure
    95 E34 530I V2.37
    ===========
    Those who make peaceful revolution impossible will make violent revolution inevitable.

    John F. Kennedy

  6. #6
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    Jan 2004
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    Default

    Going to borrow up a fuel pressure gauge tonight.
    I can access the fuel line on the return (driver's) side easily. Will that show a good reading of the pressure?
    Ramon
    1994 540iA Nikasil EAT Chip
    Tampa Bay, Florida USA

  7. #7
    Join Date
    Jan 2004
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    Tampa Bay, Florida, USA
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    Default

    Anyone know the manufacturer of the OEM BMW Crank Position Sensor?
    Ramon
    1994 540iA Nikasil EAT Chip
    Tampa Bay, Florida USA

  8. #8
    Join Date
    May 2004
    Location
    Japan
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    9,250

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    do NOT buy after market in this case, read much about probs especially with the M60 engine, such as FACET or other after market brands
    http://www.7er.com/forum/4/engine-st...lem-98274.html

  9. #9
    Join Date
    Jan 2004
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    Tampa Bay, Florida, USA
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    Default

    Thanks for the heads up, Erich.
    I found another reference with pics too:
    http://www.bimmerboard.com/forums/posts/477424
    Ramon
    1994 540iA Nikasil EAT Chip
    Tampa Bay, Florida USA

  10. #10
    Join Date
    Jan 2004
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    Tampa Bay, Florida, USA
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    Default

    CPS replaced and all is well.

    The only aftermarket I found was from Carquest ($68), as suggested by e34jef on bimmerboard.
    It was a Delphi unit. It did not look like the OEM unit, but it was the only thing I could get on short notice other than paying thru the nose at the stealer.

    I suspect that the newer sensors use a neo magnet, while the OEM sensors use ferrite or alnico.

    For the M60, remove the ductwork from the ICV and throttle body through to the air filter. (3 clamps, 4 air filter clips); then you can reach in and guide the hex wrench with an 18 inch extension to remove the sensor.

    Wiring was no problem; No dissection of the wiring harness needed. One lead winds up along the dipstick and plugs in on top of the wiring harness on the passenger side.

    The engine started right up. Idle is good; no codes.
    Ramon
    1994 540iA Nikasil EAT Chip
    Tampa Bay, Florida USA

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