my 2001 330xi turns over but wont start

blackybmw · 10-24-2010, 10:00 AM

my sons 2001 330xi was running fine other than a whistle under acceleration, he stopped at taco bell to eat came out now wont start, what should i look for is it the fuel pump and if it is where is it located he is 60 miles away and im going to have to work on it there. help me! thanks

Kubica · 10-24-2010, 10:37 AM

Fuel pump is in the fuel tank, which is accessible under the rear seat.

http://www.pelicanparts.com/bmw/tech...-Fuel-Pump.htm

Hopefully it's not the starter, which is a tough DIY on an xi. If you don't think it's fuel related- try pop starting it.

TiAgXi · 10-24-2010, 10:42 AM

Dead batter is normally the culprit for this kind of thread. Not always but many times. If the car's battery is the original, it's lived a nice long life for a battery and needs to be replaced.

blackybmw · 10-24-2010, 10:59 AM

has new battery only 4 months old, is there any way to see if fuel pump is working, thanks for the thread very helpful, glad to see dont have to crawl under car.

TiAgXi · 10-24-2010, 11:07 AM

When you turn your key to position two (one stop before starting the car) you can hear the fuel pump prime itself. If you can't hear it prime, the fuel pump may be shot.

Is this a california car, by any chance? If so, it's a Super Ultra Low Emissions Vehicle (SULEV) and the fuel pump is different than in other cars. I believe the fuel pump on a SULEV car is inside the gas tank and is a PITA to replace.

Kubica · 10-24-2010, 02:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TiAgXi

When you turn your key to position two (one stop before starting the car) you can hear the fuel pump prime itself. If you can't hear it prime, the fuel pump may be shot.

Is this a california car, by any chance? If so, it's a Super Ultra Low Emissions Vehicle (SULEV) and the fuel pump is different than in other cars. I believe the fuel pump on a SULEV car is inside the gas tank and is a PITA to replace.

330's aren't SULEV's. Only 325's. Also I don't think they made xi's with SULVEV, but I may be mixing that up with auto tranny's.

If the battery light came on at all while the car was running previously, it's most likely the alternator.

one thumb juan · 10-24-2010, 02:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TiAgXi

When you turn your key to position two (one stop before starting the car) you can hear the fuel pump prime itself. If you can't hear it prime, the fuel pump may be shot.

Is this a california car, by any chance? If so, it's a Super Ultra Low Emissions Vehicle (SULEV) and the fuel pump is different than in other cars. I believe the fuel pump on a SULEV car is inside the gas tank and is a PITA to replace.

+1
Your son can do this test before you get there. Get in close the doors and listen for the pump under the back seat.

blackybmw · 10-24-2010, 09:03 PM

no noise but pump still works when hooked up to battery now what?

TX_Bullet · 10-24-2010, 09:24 PM

well 2 things make a car run fuel and igntition. Check for fuel at the valve on the fuel rail after that pull a igntition coil stick a screws driver in there and try to start it if you got a spark to the block your good.

blackybmw · 10-24-2010, 11:05 PM

how about spraying starting fluid in intake to see if fuel or ignition

TiAgXi · 10-25-2010, 09:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by blackybmw

how about spraying starting fluid in intake to see if fuel or ignition

Your MAF is not going to like that at all. Plan on replacing it after you attempt to start the car with starting fluid.

one thumb juan · 10-25-2010, 03:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by blackybmw

no noise but pump still works when hooked up to battery now what?

I assume you mean it does make noise when hooked to a battery. Follow the path of electricity. Check for power at the fuel pump relay socket.

TX_Bullet · 10-25-2010, 07:58 PM

yea steer away from starter fluid with that previous maf.
Like the other member said check for power at pump connection.
By the way you can pull that maf off spray that starter fluid in the boot slap it together and crank it

one thumb juan · 10-25-2010, 08:10 PM

I'll also add that i have never ever ever seen a BMW start up using anything sprayed into the intake. Not one made after 85' at least.

TX_Bullet · 10-25-2010, 09:32 PM

It was worth a shot. If you hearing the pump connected direct to battery but not when normally connected you need to check fuses and relays

10-24-2010, 10:00 AM	#1
blackybmw Registered User Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: maple plain Posts: 11 My Ride: maple plain View My Garage	my 2001 330xi turns over but wont start my sons 2001 330xi was running fine other than a whistle under acceleration, he stopped at taco bell to eat came out now wont start, what should i look for is it the fuel pump and if it is where is it located he is 60 miles away and im going to have to work on it there. help me! thanks

10-24-2010, 11:07 AM	#5
TiAgXi Registered User Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: CO Posts: 864 My Ride: 3.0 e46/16 View My Garage	When you turn your key to position two (one stop before starting the car) you can hear the fuel pump prime itself. If you can't hear it prime, the fuel pump may be shot. Is this a california car, by any chance? If so, it's a Super Ultra Low Emissions Vehicle (SULEV) and the fuel pump is different than in other cars. I believe the fuel pump on a SULEV car is inside the gas tank and is a PITA to replace. Last edited by TiAgXi; 10-24-2010 at 11:09 AM.

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10-24-2010, 10:37 AM	#2
Kubica Registered User Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Boston Posts: 3,908 My Ride: 2003 325xi View My Garage	Fuel pump is in the fuel tank, which is accessible under the rear seat. http://www.pelicanparts.com/bmw/tech...-Fuel-Pump.htm Hopefully it's not the starter, which is a tough DIY on an xi. If you don't think it's fuel related- try pop starting it.

10-24-2010, 10:42 AM	#3
TiAgXi Registered User Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: CO Posts: 864 My Ride: 3.0 e46/16 View My Garage	Dead batter is normally the culprit for this kind of thread. Not always but many times. If the car's battery is the original, it's lived a nice long life for a battery and needs to be replaced.

10-24-2010, 10:59 AM	#4
blackybmw Registered User Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: maple plain Posts: 11 My Ride: maple plain View My Garage	has new battery only 4 months old, is there any way to see if fuel pump is working, thanks for the thread very helpful, glad to see dont have to crawl under car.

10-24-2010, 09:03 PM	#8
blackybmw Registered User Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: maple plain Posts: 11 My Ride: maple plain View My Garage	no noise but pump still works when hooked up to battery now what?

10-24-2010, 11:05 PM	#10
blackybmw Registered User Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: maple plain Posts: 11 My Ride: maple plain View My Garage	how about spraying starting fluid in intake to see if fuel or ignition

10-25-2010, 08:10 PM	#14
one thumb juan Registered User Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: new york Posts: 113 My Ride: E30, E36, E46 View My Garage	I'll also add that i have never ever ever seen a BMW start up using anything sprayed into the intake. Not one made after 85' at least.