'87 260e no start..help!
 

This morning I tried to start my '87 260e and it wouldn't start. It will turn over fine but won't start. After trying to start it and I let go of the key, it kind of "bumps over" just one more time by itself (like "dieseling" except not as bad, if that makes any sense). Also, when I opened the hood, I noticed a faint bit of smoke coming from the big air filter housing.

It was running flawlessly two days ago when I drove it, and showed no signs of anything going wrong, so I'm absolutely stumped.

I'm at work right now, so can't really do any hands on until later, but does anyone have any idea as to what could be the problem?

Thanks in advance for any advice

Check the distributor cap & rotor...
 

I had an 89 that did the same thing...ran great one day and the next day...nothing. It turned out to be the cap and rotor.

Just my 2¢ worth....

The Tenor Man

The coil is a possibility. Check for spark.

Thanks for the replies. I'm thinking it has something to do with the cap/rotor or coil. It's been rainy and VERY humid here the past few days and the car is parked outside, so something may have gotten to moist. I had an '86 Audi that would do this.

It has spark...also put new spark plugs in, they looked terrible. Still no start though.
Would a failing/bad OVP relay make it do this?

How about this...
 

Try cranking it over a bit and if it doesn't start, pull a sparkplug and see if it is wet...if not, no fuel.

You should be able to hear the fuel pump(s) whizz a bit when you turn on the ignition...if not, check the wiring under the rear seat where the fuel pump harness connects to the main harness. The connector on my '89 had a lot of corrosion inside the connector...mostly from moisture. It may be the fuel pump(s)...mine had two pumps to alleviate problems of vapor-lock.

If that doesn't seem to help, replace the fuel pump relay with a "known" good one and try that. I got a used relay from Potomac German Auto.

It is possible that the fuel filter is clogged, but unless it is completely plugged, one would think it would idle.

Goof Luck...

The Tenor Man

One other thing...
 

At your own risk...you could disconnect the wiring from the fuel pump(s) under the car and connect 12 volts directly to the pump...if the pumps run, then you may consider the fuel pump relay or the wiring to be faulty...

Just my 2¢ worth...

The Tenor Man

Oops!
 

My post should have read "Good Luck"...sorry about that!

The Tenor Man

One other thing....
 

Check the hoses that go to and from the fast idle stabilizer...it's under the air cleaner cleaner unit and looks about the size of a small spray can...aluminum...2 hoses and an electrical connector.

If one of the hoses and a crack or split or has become disconnected, the engine can be a real bear to start...

The Tenor Man

take out the ovp and shake.... any slight rattle means its shot..

this happened on our CE... i always keep a spare ovp, fuel relay, and a/c relay around in addition to a fan belt.

sort of my run pack.

Just tried again and I hear the fuel pump buzz, so that's ok. I pulled the #1 spark plug, and I am getting fire to it but I'm unsure how strong the fire is or if that even matters.

Swapped out the OVP, didn't help. Took the air cleaner off, sprayed starting fluid down the plenum, still didn't start.

probably the next thing i would do is swap out a coil wire..

i am trying to think of the inexpensive things to do first..

What color is the spark? A weak yellow, or a nice strong blue?