Crank no-start: 1995 BMW 525i

[@spelunkerd]

Man, I like the way you present the problem in sequence, and explain how you think it through. I find myself pausing and asking myself what I would do next.

[@PineHollowAutoDiagnostics]

The thought process is key! Make a hypothesis, design experiment, gather data, draw conclusions :)

[@amerutoyot2481]

BMW+old school technique=extremely fun Thanks for your hard work You are like candle ivan you made KZbin shine

[@OneAuto]

I’ve had similar Ivan when the hydraulic valves stick after the car has been started, moved (say off the driveway) and switched off. Next time they don’t start and sound like a low compression/timing issue. The fix is crank with wide open throttle and they fire up eventually. I think that’s what you had there 👍

[@PleaseExplainMe]

I once fixed a Volvo 850, wouldn't start. Checked everything, got spark, fuel (no idea of the timing, just testing at the street without tools). Pulled the dipstick, it was rusty, completely NO OIL. Filled up the oil, cranked the hell out of it (lifters filled up again), and the car started firing on 1 cylinder at first, 2nd 3rd 4th an 5th followed soon after.... some people just do not deserve a car......

[@PineHollowAutoDiagnostics]

That is a great tip, Rob! I have started many engines by holding the throttle wide open. Never would have thought about the valves sticking though...so many variables :)

[@juanrodriguez-ry6yt]

common in old ohv 318 dodge rev engine up turn key of no start lifters pump up let it sit 10 min. cranks up

[@adamking6419]

Would have been cool to have seen a relative compression test after the restart. To see how the duff pots were contributing. I second rob on the hydraulic lifters. Seen a few (opel/GM's ecotec's do it. Lovin your vids.

[@stume57]

These old M50 are known for sticking valves if cold started for short time (under 10s) then shut off in colder climate, fix is as described above

[@mobileautomotiveservices5461]

As some.of the lads have said, cylinder wash seems to cause low compression. I was so close to pulling a engine sort over this only that I couldn't understand how it would happen to all 6 cylinders at once after driving perfect the night before. Once I did a WOT start and she was running, I asked customer the circumstances. He said he had it out running, turned off then wouldn't restart after a hot soak. Turns out he had been using a really thin viscosity oil on a big mileage 2000 525. Changed up to a 10W40 and no more problems. Definitely an experience!

[@konstantintomilin1826]

These old BMW engines sound soo good

[@mikeoneill7360]

Nice to be back in PA, from the hustle and bustle of the Island.

[@aliasgertayabali5260]

Thanks for your great videos I own 2000 Elantra and had it since 05 just passed 300k no major issues . My daily driver.

[@baxrok2.]

Diagnosed a crank no start on one of these once. The owner did an engine swap and had the crank pulley/timing wheel off by several teeth. Thanks Ivan!

[@ProjectFairmont]

Your high. BMWs still last, your “junk” term says it all about your ignorance.

[@robjeeves1486]

First video I saw of yours was the Ford explorer nightmare. I've been addicted ever since.

[@daveogarf]

(LOVE the wind chimes!)

[@karmatose]

My first E34 would do this too. There's two vent lines on the right side of the car at the fuel tank that had rusty pinholes around it. The car would bleed off fuel pressure when it sat and would make for a rough start the next time around. Ghetto fixed it by glopping some JB Weld around the outlets and it was fine until I parted the car out.

[@carslover3509]

Hey friend nice to see you work with the BMW cars so sweet

[@jg7041]

A Brit friend of mine told me about the ol “one-two PUNCH” on the pedal for getting those old spring loaded autos to kick it up a notch when you need MORRIS power!

[@GhettoWagon]

That's old school . Ivan was what Probably like 9-10 years old when that thing was built. :D I used to get a kick out of driving the fancy cars from back in the day when I was looking at them new as a kid,. Its more fun working on them. Those were when a BMW would run 250K + Now? JUNK!. Give it some seafoam and the old "Italian tuneup"

[@jeffkester3370]

Thanks Ivan for the link to BBB industries .

[@tam1381]

I do a few of these BMWs Ivan and on the 528i model they are bad for crank sensors also if the thermostat leaks it leaks right onto the crank sensor.

[@ColinFisher]

3:45 - ***takes a big whiff of ignition coil* “sweet”

[@josephwash109]

Roman numerals on the ignition coils--sooo fancy. I was thinking along the same lines about shutting the engine off in drive. I don't think the ECM liked that. In Europe, most vehicles have manual transmissions, so it doesn't surprise me that this car has quirks like that.

[@ericcorse]

You young guys tickle me "old school" on a 95 to me it would be 68.

[@arielatom03]

Eric Corse settle down, methuselah

[@jamesfenton7338]

Hey, I drive a 95, and to me old school is a Hercules or Continental from the WWII era. anything from the 60's onward is from the modern era. This new full authority fly by wire crap is just that, Crap. I won't own one, speed density injection is the one for me, it's not a carb, and I don't have to fiddle with it to make it go, nor do I need thousands of dollars worth of equipment to figure it out. I figure if someone is stupid enough to drive something that has no throttle cable, they can certainly afford my hourly rate. Failing that, they have feet, and should be able to walk.

[@ericcorse]

James I agree about old school American cars. I'm old enough to remember Studebaker's, Hudson's Nashes etc. on the road.I guess old to me is pre WWII stuff.

[@bborkzilla]

Nothing with a CPU running the engine is "Old School" to me.

[@martinfernandonhs93]

1995 was 22 years ago, and this BMW is running on the hybrid OBD 1.5. Can't really check for codes unless you have the BMW to OBD1 connector

[@Saaketti]

Sticking hydraulic valve lifters are sooo common. Sometimes you have to pre heat the engine before even the first cylinder starts to have an compression. Usually full throttle when starting is the key but sometimes you have to fiddle with it.

[@andrewgallagher2396]

I am a mechanic in the UK and that's how we start a in line 6 pull number 1 and it will 9/10 times start!

[@PineHollowAutoDiagnostics]

Wow no way!

[@andrewgallagher2396]

Pine Hollow Auto Diagnostics. Yea buddy I've found out that with these old in line 6 engines that they will sound like you had mentioned either down a cylinder or jumped a tooth. It maybe useful to no pal. Hope it helps in the future.

[@ronaldderooij1774]

I had it once in a brand new Mitsubishi Mirage. I had to switch parking places with the neighbour for they wanted to pack up for the holidays. So I drove 10 meters and shut it off again. After that, no start. Flooded. I know now that I have to let it run for a few minutes before switching it off. Never had any problems again.

[@gouveiaclassicos]

I Ivan Working for the AA here in the uk in the inter this was quite common to find this problem if the owner started the engine cold move the car of the garage and switch of next time will try to start this cars have a tendency to food sometimes the only way was to tow to a harm workshop to get the fuel do dry on the cylinders

[@snoopdogie187]

Computerized cars, at least in the 90s can do some weird stuff when they aren't 100% properly used. I replaced intake manifolds on a Chrysler 3.5 engine. The car didn't want to start after. It was running fine before, but had the manifold leak, and just absolutely refused to start after that. Playing with the gas pedal for 5 to 10 minutes eventually worked, didn't sound good at first, but it has not failed after that. I'm attributing this to the ecm not knowing how to work properly anymore until it got enough data from running. Its good for a good scare when the car doesn't start because I just messed with the whole top of the engine, touching the spark plug wires, fuel rail, throttle body, vacuum lines, sensors etc.

[@arielatom03]

snoopdogie187 you had to reset fuel trim since it was probably very positive.

[@snoopdogie187]

arielaton03 Probably, but I figured it would reset to default with the battery being unplugged for so long. It wasn't a simple change since coolant also leaked around the manifold causing just a mess. Also someone else was working in there and replaced a bolt with one that was slightly too short. In the end, it took a lot longer than I anticipated.

[@andrewwilson8317]

Car at the age when changed over obd standards. It right where it could of been obd1 with all the old school obd diagnostic techniques. Maybe make some videos on the old obd1 vehicles? The happy days of test lights and counting long and short flashes, don't miss it too much!

[@dendkmac]

nice job... will send tow truck for salvage to junkyard :) as always great job!

[@DaveSender66]

Back from Staten Island University . Right you are "always start with the basics". Can;t fix what you can't reproduce. How about some "live" episodes like Mr. O ????? Nice work Ivan!!!

[@jahrain1693]

Nice video and good steps

[@tempelhof4234]

To me it sounded like a faulty (i.e. stuck) starter. We had that same issue on a e39 523i after sitting still for several months. A few hits with a hammer on the starter motor and it started just fine.

[@paullenzen2562]

Maybe try and recreate the event. Shut it off in D, let it sit for a minute or so, try and crank, put it in park and crank again and see what happens. ????

[@jahseehardin1178]

Plz do more bmw I have 1997 528i won’t start but cranks

[@SmittySmithsonite]

I was 99% certain when you first cranked that thing that you'd be doing a timing belt (or chain)! Sounded like it had 2 dead or low cylinders! I need to take Eric O's advice there - "Gotta slow down to go fast!" :) When I first saw those coil packs under that plastic, I thought it was a V12 ... until I saw the relative compression waveform. I didn't see the throttle body in the first part of the vid. Just a 6 cylinder ... well that was disappointing, LOL! :D I don't see ANY BMW's where I'm at. Only Volvo as far as Euro cars go. I've looked under the hood of ONE beemer in my entire life! Pretty advanced systems for a '95! Impressive.

[@thewedge8823]

Same problem here... Car was in storage for 6 years... changed the battery, and it started right up.. drove to the gas station which was 800 feet away, and it died there.. I've been troubleshooting 2 days straight.. checked fuses, relays, CPS sensor (513 Ohms on the volt meter), .. I'm getting no gas, no spark, not starting... I even uninstalled my immobilization kill switch, and alarm system, I was thinking maybe it was somehow tripping up the ignition. and still nothing... could it be the DME relay? I have the 535i btw.

[@upallnight888]

I had a 95 BMW 525i Touring (Don't call it a station wagon or other BMW owners will disown you). One winter after shopping we went to Culver for dinner, ate dinner and got back out. The BM Trouble U would crank but wouldn't start. Had the entire family with me so I gave AAA a call and had them flat bed the BMW back to my house. The next day I decided to see what was wrong with the car. Went downstair and started the car. The car started right away. Great I can do a little grocery shopping so I drove to the grocery store. Came out and tried starting the BMW but like last night all it did was crank. Called AAA again and they flat bedded the car back to my house. Figure the car wasn't getting any gas so I shot some starting fluid into the airbox. The engine started immediately and quickly died. Ah hah moment, must be a dead fuel pump. Order a new fuel pump and when it arrived I put it in. Turn the key and she started immediate. Tested the old fuel pump and 1 time out of 20 tries the pump would fail to come on.

[@upallnight888]

Also BMW engines don't like to run and turn off immediately. Normally you need to run them for at least 5 minutes when you start them or you can flood them out. People who start them and back out of the garage to wash them sometime would experience a crank but no start condition because the engine is flooded. You need to depress the accelerator pedal all the way to the floor to get it in clear flood mode.

[@upallnight888]

Here's a link to a BMW forum in which I tried to help another BMW owner fix his BM Trouble U. www.bimmerforums.com/forum/showthread.php?1936076-Sputtering-Acceleration-rough-idle-now-no-start!-Please-help!&p=25749391#post25749391

[@PineHollowAutoDiagnostics]

Thanks for sharing your experience! An intermittent fault like a dying fuel pump can be difficult to diagnose or recreate for sure. An oscilloscope can greatly help in cases like that :)

[@StacheCam]

I recently sold my wagon :(

[@bobjuarez9284]

I would check the dip stick first, and check fuel pressure. You don' t know how many fuel pumps I've replaced. On old BMW.

[@thebobbyc82]

I’ve had this, intermittent fault turned out to be the crank position sensor which had oil dripping onto it and interfering with the signal.

[@rgrainger91]

I think this is also my prob how do I fix

[@rgrainger91]

I think I’m having crank shaft position sensor problems I changed fuel pump and still won’t start

[@rgrainger91]

Hopefully I haven’t flooded mine how do you know if you have flooded the car what sound will it make my car is. Making a ticking sound now when I turn the key

[@Eastahtata]

This sounds like an Infiniti j30 3.0 I looked at that was started in the cold, moved, shut off and wouldn't start again. After doing a clear flood start it ran fine!

[@room101935]

It sounds like the VANOs had a problem perhaps sticking, i would find out when it last had a oil change.

[@richardnilsen8950]

The owner was pumping The gas pedal like it had A carburetor on it 😁

[@PineHollowAutoDiagnostics]

He's old school 😅

[@jaredheitz9011]

Great diag videos! Just watched this video and when you had the scan tool hooked up looking at live data and you hit the throttle it didn't look like I was seeing the numbers change much if any for the throttle position sensor reading?

[@halleffect1]

Ivan, did you hold throttle open during that compression check? would it have made a difference?

[@JD-iu3vi]

I have seen this happen with a weak battery. Sometimes it will finally crank and while running charge the battery enough to crank good. It may happen again if the battery gets drained a little.

[@DIETRYING001]

Coolant temp sensor not fuelling right from cold?

[@cagmito76]

what is ment or your meaning of heat soak ? thanks for vids .

[@jofmaster]

i got the same engine in an 325i convertible 94 with almost 200000m but euro produktion. Had a problem with the crank pos sensor. first sign the VANOS did not work and you cant rev it over 4000rpm but car runs fine a time long, than the car start stalling out when its hot but restarts and run after cooling down. changed the sensor oem and all probelms go away. But very interesting that you get a live datalist on an OBD1 system. in europa you only can read codes and there is no check engine light on the dash, only BMW shops can read live data. I always enjoy your vids Ivan

[@TheCowgirlNiamh]

Great to see a BMW lol it's language I can understand haha

[@markphillips437]

Hi Ivan, absolutely love your channel. Just wondering how I could purchase a couple sweet PHAD tee shirts to show my support. Keep up the good work and thanks for putting in the time to put out great videos👍. There is no weak sauce here.

[@PineHollowAutoDiagnostics]

Thank you for the kind words, Mark. I still have T-shirts available, currently only S and L sizes. Let me know if those sizes would work, or if not what zize you would like. I'll get another batch of shirts ordered soon :)

[@markphillips437]

That's great, I am a size large.

[@Photostudioww]

How much did that scanner cost?

[@187WCB]

I wonder how accurate the old analog MPG gauge is. Never heard of such a thing.

[@watermanone7567]

Were the plugs ever changed? Cylinder wash could also thin the oil.

[@jamesfenton7338]

Got one right now awaiting a crank sensor. Crank no start no spark. Some folks like Beemers, but some folks are crazy. I prefer cars that are easy to diagnose, easy to work with, and Beemers are troublesome creatures. Next BMW my hourly rate will increase 300%.

[@davidwood7170]

Sometimes it can be a wiring harness issue.. Loose or bad connection or frayed wire.. Those kind of problems can drive one nuts

[@LakeNipissing]

11:34 . . . The TPS voltage didn't change when you opened the throttle.

[@CapBamBam]

Does anybody know what computer he used? I have the same BMW 525I with no OBD hookup..

[@karelvvv]

The crankshaft position sensor? I had it with my VR5, no tach....

[@TrakSpock1]

"255,000 miles, some cars can only dream of achieving that". Every Chevrolet I've owned has gotten at least that many miles.

[@PineHollowAutoDiagnostics]

Let me guess, they were built in the 1990s? And did they rust out at all?

[@TrakSpock1]

Pine Hollow Auto Diagnostics - Here is the recipe: Stay away from economy vehicles. Buy a V8 or a quality V6 model. Change your oil every 3K miles, not the manufacturer recommended 5K or 6K. It doesnt have to be a synthetic oil so long as it is a quality name brand such as Valvoline. Consumer Reports is your friend. Know the reliability of a given model before you buy. I live in the rust belt so all vehicles rust regardless of brand. Since the early 90's I have soaked the underside of my vehicles with WD-40 just prior to winter and right after. I also spray WD-40 up into the doors via the drain holes.

[@eastpantherbenz]

The valve guides seep a little on these too. Then they get a little too much oil in cylinders and fouls them out a some.

[@willlyons9823]

Oddly satisfying :-)

[@makethemfly7660]

Noticed fuel tank was full. May have pumped a little water with the last fill up. This time of year empty fuel tanks will condensate water. Bottle of Dry Gas maybe?

[@estrelladelnorte1308]

true!

[@mph5896]

I would have a visual of the plugs to make sure they are not really worn out causing a flood.

[@abbeyrham4220]

hey Ivan great video. But you forgot to redo a cranking waveform after the engine was warmed up

[@Gagik5779]

Ivan I think that your scanner cant read codes you must use ADS serial port adapter

[@PineHollowAutoDiagnostics]

Well it could read live data...why not codes?

[@ellobo8593]

So early the video wouldn't load.

[@christopherkassner8894]

When ever I get a tow in diag. I keep in the back of my mind cylinder wash down. 9 out of ten times,someone, including the tow truck driver, cranked the vehicle for extended periods of time.

[@staceycourtenay3634]

why does my spark plugs keep on getting wet with gas on my 2004 Kia Sorrento 3.5

[@wyattoneable]

That was an interesting turn of events. I wonder if the issue started with the last tank of gas? I noticed the tank was indicating full. We may never know but thanks for the video. It's making me think.

[@edburns1801]

I see you put the special diagnostic driving gloves on for the test drive.

[@HUBBABUBBADOOPYDOOP]

Ivan- what was that wildly sweeping needle gauge under the tach? Why was the O2 sensor so lazy? Strange coincidence- the camera abruptly "shut off" and then the engine starts fine? EMP? (Electromagnetic Pulse)

[@PineHollowAutoDiagnostics]

Needle is "MPG meter", "Lazy" O2 was just slow data transfer. Camera shut off because the screen accidentally closed lol

[@davenay1645]

BMW stands for BRING ME WORK

[@robinsonsmotorcycleandauto3929]

Good Job Ivan was working on a video myself but lost it on a 94 Mercedes S500 though I do still have the scope captures. Gotta love the Euros and your 100 percent accurate on basics first. Happy to see another video so soon. Ivan hopefully see a Hummer soon lol. Did that get fixed

[@PineHollowAutoDiagnostics]

The Hummer....oh boy.

[@robinsonsmotorcycleandauto3929]

Pine Hollow Auto Diagnostics I'm dying to know lol

[@100ega8]

I have a 2009 bmw 325i 3.0L I've replace the ECM because a coil driver, now no spark, no injector pulse, crank and cam sensor signals ok to the computer, only cranks but no start with the new computer either with the old computer. do you think it will be the immobilizer?? or is there another input to the ecm to make it start??

[@PineHollowAutoDiagnostics]

When you say "replaced ECM", did you PROGRAM it and CODE it? Can't just plug-and-play modules anymore, especially on newer BMWs!

[@100ega8]

@@PineHollowAutoDiagnostics oh yes program and code it The thing is that now no start even with the old ecm, only cranks.

[@PineHollowAutoDiagnostics]

Well diagnose it from scratch. Gotta be missing something! Do an all-module scan with a bidirectional scanner.

[@100ega8]

@@PineHollowAutoDiagnostics thank you for your info. Mr Maestro. what I did is syncronized the new PCM with the vehicle Imobilizer, and started right up.

[@billmck12345]

so it appears that the vehicle had injector operation while trying to start and fail, washing out a few cyls. it also looked like you had ign while cranking, and the customer said he shut off in gear..it sure looks like you didn't capture a failing ign...I wonder what might be going on with the p/n switch (it was shut off in gear and moved to park....maybe the signal was showing it wasn't in park or neutral with the active no start.....i'v seen a few ground problems that show up when heat cycled the stud was lifting off the body and causing a bad ground... found that by trying to remove the 10mm nut and stud snaped off with ease....just trying to throw a few things at ya caz I know you have unanswered questions about this....

[@joshgaertig6294]

After he shut it off in drive did he shift it to park or neutral to start it? If he kept it in drive it won't start

[@PineHollowAutoDiagnostics]

lol yeah he did...it shouldn't even crank in gear!

[@juliuscaesar1728]

What is the gauge below the tach? it was acting weird; cycling from 0 to full scale.

[@davecaselli1957]

I thought it said MPG.

[@bryanlatimer-davies1222]

It is a mpg readout only works properly when you are cruising though

[@awd42]

Fuel economy (mpg), although I think it's actually reading engine vacuum (which corresponds to load) rather than injection quantity.

[@bborkzilla]

It's a vacuum gauge. It indicates MPG since vacuum tracks throttle position and airflow. More air == lower mileage. You used to be able to buy them from J.C. Whitney back in the day.

[@upallnight888]

It used vacuum but it also uses the wheel sensor signal to determine how fast the car is moving. It's not just a J.C. Whitney mpg gauge.

[@galaxysector9718]

Do you ever check your instagram messages for questions?

[@tinkerwest]

I just love it when a vehicle fixes itself....

[@amerutoyot2481]

As mechanic when i start working on car and the car fix it's self it will be great 😂

[@chavezcustomdetailing9540]

Try doing an EPR treatment from BG.

[@steveo782812]

Did you put the rear windows down and use the door locks?

[@PineHollowAutoDiagnostics]

LMAO of course!!!

[@johnkaplanian]

It might be an ignition switch or a leaking fuel injection when cold.

[@nomanjones4803]

Try checking the spark plugs.

[@richardcranium5839]

@8;20 theres your problem lit up right under the tach. something didnt get its little blue pill lmao

[@Pr0ph3cy-k5z]

My 98 ford f150 done the same thing once before. Long story short, the fuel pump died. I sprayed starting fluid into the intake many of times trying to get it to run. Replaced the fuel pump. Still had a crank no start. Sprayed more starting fluid. Finally after a week of cranking on it, a small explosion occurred thru the air duct. With each crank, it smelt strong for starting fluid. Pulled the plugs, cleaned them off and bam, it fired up. Flooded it with starting fluid. I wiped out the Mosquito population in my area when it started. The fuel pump would prime, but was too weak. I didn't have my tools on me to properly check fuel pressure as this happened far from my house. I ended up having it towed home.

[@DLexEdition]

Those RPMs are going up a bit high. Also, take it out of E aka Economy, put it in S aka Sports.

[@mohammedbierey]

Did you use low amp clamp for starter current? Is it okay?

[@PineHollowAutoDiagnostics]

yup can read up to 250A no problem :)

[@fieldsofomagh]

I suppose the lesson of this fix is take the time in jumping to conclusions.

[@rrmech11]

BMW = BRING MONEY WITH. I would of checked the plugs and condition of the oil. Nevertheless I always enjoy your vids Ivan

[@opl500]

256k? This must have been before they moved production to Mexico

[@stuartcookie133]

Ivan I shut my BMW off in gear the other day and it wouldnt start either! You are right...it was confused, so I sat down and had a long talk with it {birds n bee's,communism,same sex marriages} and it promises to never do that again! Yup starts every time now!

[@Boodieman72]

So there wasn't an issue with the car.

[@PineHollowAutoDiagnostics]

There was....it wouldn't start lmao!

[@Boodieman72]

I watched the video and you didn't do anything to fix it, yet it started and ran fine.

[@juergenscholl2843]

Just divide kg/h by 3.6 to convert into g/sec. That easy. ...😊

[@sebsbae9149]

Give the car back to the customer... gets stranded with kids far from home with no help...

[@throttlebottle5906]

probably had spark plugs put in 176K ago :))

[@motocrosseyed]

it gets new plugs every 12k miles...no worries there.

[@aymenmohamed1134]

👍👍👍👍

[@kroatoaneight-four]

Would you replace an internal combustion engine with an electric motor? If so, can you put up a video on yhat. Thanks!

[@dcomputers]

old spark plugs causing hard start when cold carbon tip....

[@embreesmith7613]

using a Virus on BMW ..??

[@zuaedzuead1559]

I HAVE BMW525I MODEL 1994 AUTO GEAR SOME TIMES SAW IN THE COMPUTER ...TRANS PROGRAM.....WHAT IS THAT MIEN AND THA ....D IN COMPUTER LOST ANTEL OFF AND ASTARTS THE CAR AGEN

[@StacheCam]

Transimisson is on its way out :(

[@PineHollowAutoDiagnostics]

Ah it hasn't even hit 300k miles yet!

[@raymilligan9556]

crank sensor !

[@twodogsify]

It needs new spark plugs.