1995 BMW 325 Hard to start!

MAGEWULF

MEMBER
1995 BMW 325
6 CYL
2WD
MANUAL
182,000 MILES

My car has developed a starting problem. In the mornings it will start after about 10 seconds of cranking. As soon as I shut it off, I cannot get it to start unless I wait 6-8 hours. Once started the car runs fine. There is not a Check engine light on either. I purchased a scantool, and it gave me the codes for knock sensor 1-3, knock sensor 4-6, DWA/DWS input, and speed signal. Is it possible that both knock sensors are bad? Or do I have other issues?

Thursday, June 10th, 2010 AT 10:06 PM

3 Replies

DOCHAGERTY

MECHANIC
9,603 POSTS

This is most likely a combination of items conspiring together to bring this grief. The intake manifold may have vacuum leaks, the knock sensors are probably not a factor. To find the root issue, the basics need to be inspected, the fuel pressure and delivery, the overall state of tune, the possibility of an intake leak. There may also be other factors that could be contributing to this hard start, but lets start with what we have here.

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Friday, June 11th, 2010 AT 8:21 AM

MAGEWULF

MEMBER
7 POSTS

What is the easiest/cheapest way to check these?

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Friday, June 11th, 2010 AT 10:34 AM

DOCHAGERTY

MECHANIC
9,603 POSTS

Fuel pressure/delivery can be done with a gauge/graduated container to find if it is holding pressure. I usually use a smoke producing machine to pinpoint leaks in the intake system.

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Friday, June 11th, 2010 AT 11:14 PM