1999 M Roadster

[Dick&Cheryl]

Thank You for the approval.
In way of introduction, allow me to explain what brings me to this site. Apparently in 1999 my brother-in-law who was very successful in business, newly divorced, and experiencing some sort of mid-life crisis, bought a new BMW M Roadster. He has treated that car like his own baby ever since. In 2008 he and my sister-in-law were married and he has continued to baby this car. One month ago, he passed. His wife asked me to help get the car going and cleaned up so she can do something with it or sell it. I've been a bit of a gearhead my whole life, but never was fortunate enough to play with a BMW, especially one this new or nice. The first thing I found was that the 5 year old battery was bad and it wouldn't even turn over. I installed a new battery and it turns over great BUT it doesn't fire. I cycled the key off and on and I think I hear the fuel pump run for a second or two each time. So was the trouble fuel or spark? I tried a squirt of starting fluid and it popped right off until the fluid burned off and it died. Apparently I'm not getting fuel. Can anyone who has lived with these cars help me discover what the trouble might be? There is fuel in the tank, even added some to be sure. Can the factory security system cause this? Can a dead battery in the key cause this? Any advice from those of you who have experienced trouble like this will be MUCH appreciated.
Thank You.

 

[Nodzed]

I had the same issue with mine and after much chasing the issue turned out to be the fuel pump, replaced it and it was sorted. That said get a code reader on it and see if there are other issues. It could the isolator, fuel pump relay or something else.

 

[Shelly]

 

[Delk]

It can happen that the security system goes out of sync and this prevents the injectors from firing. Google up EWS sync issue and you will find alot of information on it. Its rare but it does happen and stopped my car dead in the tracks.

If it has happened you have at realign the security chip in the key with the security system and realign the rolling codes to the ECU.

 

[bertiejaffa]

Welcome - once its running youll love it

 

[elevensies]

howdee from lincolnshire

any pics of said car.. we like pics

 

[ExMX5owner]

Welcome aboard,

 

[Stevo7682]

Hi and welcome from me in Scotland

 

[Gatsoburner]

Welcome welcome..Great site for advice here for sure

 

[Dick&Cheryl]

Thank You all so much for you're responses! I can see that this issue is rapidly exceeding my technical ability and tools. However, I DO know a guy. I will refer this information to him and let him know about this site. I'll be sure and report back once we get things figured out! I'll even try to include a picture. Thank You.

 

[Pingu]

Hi.

I've got two M Roadsters (even though one doesn't look like it ) , so I know a bit about them.

It's no bad thing that the car didn't start. To bring it back to life from a long sleep, you should remove fuses 13 and 18, and turn the engine over to confirm good oil pressure, and to get oil to the top of the engine, and into the VANOS.

You are chasing your tail without using a diagnosis tool. The only one I would recommend is INPA, but it's not easy to get hold of. It's BMW's own diagnosis tool from around the year 2000 and works on XP.

If the battery is 5 years without use, I'm assuming the fuel is also 5 years old. If that's the case, I'd drain all the old fuel and put in at least 5 litres of new Shell V-Power.

The best way to drain the tank is to get the car in the air, disconnect the hose in front of the fuel filter, and run the fuel pump for 10-15 seconds at a time. You can't do this with the key, as the car senses there is a leak and will stop the pump. This as a chance to blast some fuel through the filter and see if the filter is blocked. If necessary, replace the filter. They are around £50 from BMW (13321405092), or around £25 from eBay for a reputable brand.

You can get access to the fuel pump via the flap behind the driver's seat if RHD, or passenger seat if LHD. It's better to run the fuel pump from here, as you can power the pump without having to power the rest of the car.

Connect everything up with clean fuel and filter. Prime the fuel pump turning the ignition key to position 2 (lights on dash). It sounds like it's working, because you mentioned the sound stopping after a few seconds - this is good, it shows the pump is working as it should. Turn the ignition off and remove the key. Prime the fuel pump again, wait for it to stop, then start the car.

Do not rev the car for at least a minute. Don't be tempted to use the throttle to encourage the car to start.

Don't panic if it sounds like a bag of spanners for the first ten to fifteen seconds. This is because the VANOS has no oil pressure. After fifteen to twenty seconds, the VANOS will regain oil pressure and the car will start to run properly.

Good luck.

 

[Mint]

Hi Dick and to the forum from me too in Stafford, England.

 

[Dick&Cheryl]

Thank You all.