Will Not Start....Aaaaarghhh.

[das boots]

A double dose of bad news. The stars are not aligned. Bad Karma...etc. Not only is the articlle not published, but the ZHP will not start after the club meeting. The engine was cranking but will not fire. Gary emntioned that this is one of the weakness of the E46. The Fuel Pump. But before I tackle this, where is the fuel pump relay located? I would like to check this out first. Also to my understanding, if the F/P is bad, then there would not be a humming sound coming from the fuel tank. I have to ask this since I still do not have a Bentley's. Are all E46 F/Ps the same? Meaning interchangeable? Or there is only one specific F/P for the ZHP? Any DIYs related to this will be appreciated. How to check a good F/P if purchased used? More Q's to came later. Thanks.

[danewilson77]

Fuel pump relay is in glove box. Swap it for the horn relay.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aqVGpkan0rE&feature=youtube_gdata_player

Actually....the video above tests for power to fuel pump, easier(imo), than getting into glove box relays.


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[das boots]

Thanks. Time to order a F/P. BTW, what is the correct P/N for the whole unit? RealOEM had the unit divided into separate parts. Thanks.

[billschusteriv]

Grab rear seat on either side of the "hump". Lift up until rear seat pops free. Fuel pump should be on the passenger side of the tank, on the top (under the seat). You may need to pull back the underlayment/sound deadening material. The fuel pump will have hoses and wiring connectors attached. The other side of the tank should be the fuel tank level sender.

When you turn the key to "On", you should hear the fuel pump motor running.

If not, you can attempt to "smack" the top of the pump while you turn the key to start. This may get the fuel pump to start one more time so you can get home. This may not work if the pump is seized or may fail again while you are driving.

Just be careful not to damage the wires or hoses. Oh - protect your hand. You can use something to hit the pump - like a quart of oil. And it doesn't take a hard hit.

Blackberry. Tapatalk.

[kpro]

^ lol. I wouldn't waste your time with replacing the relay...9.9 times out of 10 its a bad pump. I tried the relay when mine went bad and it was a fluke that it started once more with a new relay but then went back to being dead.

[echo46]

I just replaced my pump and sender unit, which both turned out to be perfectly fine. I replaced it with the VDO pump and a BMW sender unit. The fuel pump is under the rear passenger side seat and the sender is under the rear driver's side. The whole job took about 35 to 45 minutes, very easy. Make sure you get new seals. I think the seal came with the sender but I had to order one for the fuel pump. Don't forget to disconnect your battery and seat the seals before you try to put the new pump/sender in. The hardest part of the whole job is banging off the retaining ring. Not sure if you interested in my replaced fuel pump and sender-cheap. Up to you and it might be better to just replace everything new. I think I paid about $150 for the pump, $80 for the sender and $15 for the pump seal. If you have any issues let me know.

[llll1l1ll]

Fuel pump is an easy job. Make sure to keep towels handy or at least disconnect the lines really slowly because some fuel is going to spew/leak. Also, you will smell like fuel for a while. I hope you like smelling fuel.

[das boots]

Just ordered the whole unit of VDO F/P from AutoPartsWarehouse. Free shipping. But I have to pay taxes to Uncle Brown. The best price available. ECS was charging me a whole lot more. Oh yeah...I love the smell of Napalm in the morning.....breakfast of champions. Another point...why didn't BMW use the F/P from the E39? So much more dependable and for the same engine? On the other hand, I sometimes hate the bean counters. In the meantime, I'm stuck for a few days. And I was to have the ZHP replace all suspensions this Friday. Cancel that appointment.

[danewilson77]

Thanks. Time to order a F/P. BTW, what is the correct P/N for the whole unit? RealOEM had the unit divided into separate parts. Thanks.

The whole unit p/n is listed on realoem.

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[Ryans323i]

Sorry Lawrence to hear about the bad FP. I hope that's problem and it gets fixed quickly. Sucks even worse to have to cancel that suspension appointment.
BTW, I love the smell of gasoline.

Good news, get that M3 out and drive her around!

[llll1l1ll]

Fuel does smell great!

I'd just like to make a point to mention keeping over a quarter tank of fuel helps ensure the fuel pump is properly lubricated thus helping to prevent premature failure.

[das boots]

Very big possibility is that PO's probly ran down the fuel to empty......

[llll1l1ll]

Well a little bit here and there is okay, but constantly running your car with the fuel light on or below 1/4 tank is a good way to shorten the life of your fuel pump.

[Ryans323i]

I had no idea running the tank low hurts the fuel pump. Makes sense. I'll be more cautious from now on.

[danewilson77]

I had no idea running the tank low hurts the fuel pump. Makes sense. I'll be more cautious from now on.

Yeah...you would pretty much have to get the light..a lot....to hurt the pump....imho.

[llll1l1ll]

Yeah like I was saying a little bit won't hurt but if you just fill up 5-10 bucks at a time and constantly drive around like that (like my girlfriend) with the needle makin' friends with the E, it will eventually begin harming the fuel pump.

[das boots]

New fuel pump arrived when I got home from work. Installed and test run. It's all good.

[GSEN820]

Nice Job

[danewilson77]

New fuel pump arrived when I got home from work. Installed and test run. It's all good.

Nice. Pay around $200?

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[das boots]

Nice. Pay around $200?

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VDO F/P was $149 +tax. Free ship. I was surprised it got here like in a day. Now, I got my ride for the BMW of Murrrieta grand opening this Saturday. If it will be a dry day, which I doubt, then I will take the M3.

[GSEN820]

Hermes and I were thinking of going. I will give you a call if I go. I have not sigened up at this point, but I will let you know.

[das boots]

No need to sign up. Will meet at Bad Ass Coffee at 10:30. We all then caravan. Lots of folks will still show up without the RSVP.