Stranded. Please help.

Ok. Well I'm going to listen for the buzz and check the fuel filter first. Will update afterwards.

Originally Posted by jpbutler1983

Ok. Well I'm going to listen for the buzz and check the fuel filter first. Will update afterwards.

It'll be very faint, but you can hear it if it is there. Also, remember that you need to wait five seconds in between each time you turn the key. Sure fire way to tell if your pump is dead.

remove the rear seat, you will hear the fuel pump a lot better, just lift it up and it will pop up... slide it out a little, and then you can lift one side at a time. the fuel pump is very loud so with the car off, windows up, and rear seat raised, you will easily hear it.

secondly... it could be an issue with your starter as well. mine is acting up a little when the car is warm. it will start to turn over, but then just die out. takes a couple times to have it start when the car is warm.

good luck

I will try that then... So I don't need to take off the plate?

Originally Posted by jpbutler1983

I will try that then... So I don't need to take off the plate?

It's really not necessary to remove the seat. If you don't hear it on the outside, that is a good enough indicator.. the pump is indeed loud.. loud enough to be heard from the outside.

Ok. So I unplugged and replugged the relays in the ebox. And I took the seat out with my son cranking up the car I put my ear against the plate on the passenger side. I'm pretty sure I didn't hear anything.

Now under the understanding that its loud, then its not working...

But someone said its faint... So. I may need to take the plate off and use some sort of medium to help me hear it...

Originally Posted by jpbutler1983

Ok. So I unplugged and replugged the relays in the ebox. And I took the seat out with my son cranking up the car I put my ear against the plate on the passenger side. I'm pretty sure I didn't hear anything.

Now under the understanding that its loud, then its not working...

But someone said its faint... So. I may need to take the plate off and use some sort of medium to help me hear it...

no need to take the plate off, if you can't hear it with the seat popped up, it isn't working. check the fuel pump fuse, if it doesn't work, order it off ebay. i got a brand new OEM one, part number checked out on realoem.com too.


http://www.ebay.com/itm/BMW-E46-OEM-...339910&vxp=mtr

not sure if that is for your model, but double check

takes 30 min to install, make sure you do it on a flat surface. my car had between 3/4 and a full tank and i was literally at the rim with fuel, any more and it would have spilled over.

careful..

Originally Posted by jpbutler1983

Ok. So I unplugged and replugged the relays in the ebox. And I took the seat out with my son cranking up the car I put my ear against the plate on the passenger side. I'm pretty sure I didn't hear anything.

Now under the understanding that its loud, then its not working...

But someone said its faint... So. I may need to take the plate off and use some sort of medium to help me hear it...

Mine isn't loud, OP, but then again, I'm deaf in one ear!

Key to position 2 for FP to turn, right? You could use a little section of hose or even a glass to amplify the sound if you wanted to.

You say you have gas...are you sure, as in, if you don't trust the gauge?

Did you check the kalim fuse that I think I mentioned? The 20 amp fuse in the fuse pack?

FP is very easy to do, though...all you need is the 10 mm wrench you have in the trunk, two chisels, two hammers, and a friend (for 1 minute)...to get the clamping ring off (if yours is like mine).

The batteries in our cars don't show signs of going bad or getting weak. They just die on the spot. One second car starts, 5 minutes later, it dead as a door nail. Bet battery.

If you suspect fuel, go to Harbor Freight, get a fuel pressure gauge, hook it up, crank the car, check the readings. If you suspect battery, try push starting the car if it's a manual.

After reading everyone's input (thank you all by the way), I am leaning more towards the FP. My car sounds exactly like the one in the video that was posted above. I have a voltmeter. tomorrow I will undo the plate and check for 12VDC at the plug. That will remove all doubt about the fuses and what have you.

I didn't find the kalim fuse in the Ebox, all I saw were wires and relays... either way, if I get 12vdc at the plug, then it will confirm continuity of the electrical system... it will also tell me how many volts my battery is sending to the pump. So it seems like a good check regardless.

I don't think that it's that battery. I used the correct rating of battery when I tried to jump it, and I even let it sit for a few minutes, and the symptoms remained the same. I don't have the best of hearing so that is why I am going to take the plate off and double check... just to be sure.

I think the part number that was given to me in the Ebay search is in fact correct. 140 bucks is better than paying out the wahzoo for mechanic shop parts and labor... especially for this easy of a job.

To answer the questions that were asked earlier, I don't know how old the battery is. the mileage is at 167000 miles. If the pump has never been changed, I suppose even if it doesn't fix the problem, it might be good just to do it anyway as a preventative maintenance effort. Whilst I am dealing with the fuel system anyway, I might as well change out the filter too, I guess.

Thank you guys for all the input. You all are the best. I will update when I know fo sho!

As said, if you can't hear it with the seat up it's gone, never to return. This can be a lot less inexpensive and extremely easy to DIY if you're resourceful.

Originally Posted by sfcjetjr

The batteries in our cars don't show signs of going bad or getting weak. They just die on the spot. One second car starts, 5 minutes later, it dead as a door nail. Bet battery.

I am getting the necessary crank voltage because the starter sounds strong... no slowing or dying sound... just won't complete the crank job.

Originally Posted by blarf

If you suspect fuel, go to Harbor Freight, get a fuel pressure gauge, hook it up, crank the car, check the readings. If you suspect battery, try push starting the car if it's a manual.

I have done a push start before on a different car, so I am familiar with that method.

I wouldn't even know where to begin to know where to hook the pressure gauge up.

I had her towed home, so now i have my tools and will do some investigating tomorrow. If I don't hear the hum or whirl of the pump then it won't be necessary to purchase a pressure gauge.

this part is cheaper and from the same company as the link that was given to me above... any reason it's cheaper? is this compatible?

http://www.ebay.com/itm/BMW-E46-OEM-...4685ce&vxp=mtr

and this one is only 80

http://www.ebay.com/itm/BMW-E46-ELEC...7b2a29&vxp=mtr

Originally Posted by jpbutler1983

and this one is only 80

http://www.ebay.com/itm/BMW-E46-ELEC...7b2a29&vxp=mtr

nevermind... this one doesn't say OEM.

Originally Posted by Blueandwhite85

As said, if you can't hear it with the seat up it's gone, never to return. This can be a lot less inexpensive and extremely easy to DIY if you're resourceful.

Oh, I am going to Do It Myself! Just to say that I did! I just wish I could get the part local tomorrow (probably not because it's Sunday), so that I don't have to change my work schedule... but I don't think I will get OEM for as cheap as it is online here locally.

Suggest you read the 2nd link in my signature below.

Not sure you picked up on the fact the fuel pump relay is behind the glovebox??

Did not read the entire thread.

Voltmeter on the fuel pump wiring will likely confuse you, you would not be the first one.

$3 can of starting fluid will answer the question.

BMA Parts is good, they ship from many warehouses across the country.

I have a new pump here in stock for my 2006 or anyone else that ends up needing one!

Good luck.

Originally Posted by jfoj

Suggest you read the 2nd link in my signature below.

Not sure you picked up on the fact the fuel pump relay is behind the glovebox??

Did not read the entire thread.

Voltmeter on the fuel pump wiring will likely confuse you, you would not be the first one.

$3 can of starting fluid will answer the question.

BMA Parts is good, they ship from many warehouses across the country.

I have a new pump here in stock for my 2006 or anyone else that ends up needing one!

Good luck.

I got lost somewhere... what question will the starting fluid answer??

yeah, I must have missed the "behind the glovebox" reference while scrolling through the mobile app in the parking lot. My bad.

As far as the voltmeter is concerned, I am an electronics technician by trade and pretty much use that all the time. I think I will be able to manage my way around the wiring.

Thanks for the BMA confirmation, I will most likely use them then. This forum is a great resource. I don't know where I would be (besides stranded on the side of the road) without you guys... and gals.