1996 328i starting issue ( NO START ) :(

[328bema 18]

I encountered a little issue with a bmw of mine, a 1996 328i coupe.

Cutting a long story short, the car doesn't start, no ignition, even typical dash telemetry doesn't appear, apart from seatbelt light, and illumination of cluster ( speedometer / mileage ) counter. No fuel pump initiation.

Lights work, radio turns on, fog lights don't work, all this started as an intermittent problem where i'd turn the key, and nothing would happen, sometimes for hours or days, out of the blue, you turn the key and Vroom! Lol. First thing i pondered, was the battery? Obvious starting point, but battery is fine with my other bmws? . I have had a look at the fuses and cannot see anything that is blown, checked relays, i see main system relay looks slightly discoloured , along with fuel pump relay. I switched those out with another 1996 328i relay with same relays, but no success. After reading on the net over the past months, it seems that i may have an EWS issue, i haven't got a scan tool to check any codes, but will acquire one soon, any thoughts are much appreciated.

Wondering if i should book the car into BMWorkshop? Or does anyone know of a reputable outfit that is experienced / capable of resolving such a thing.

Thank you, Peter.

[BM WORLD 1283]

dry joints in the ews box

[328bema 18]

dry joints in the ews box

Hi brent, What does that mean? If you could shed some light on it. Is there a way i can overcome this issue without a specialist attending to it?

[BM WORLD 1283]

open the ews box and check for dry joints and resolder them

[328bema 18]

open the ews box and check for dry joints and resolder them

Thank you for the help brent, i will attempt this repair, shall update the post in a day or so if i am successful, much appreciated!

[danbullock 15]

I've think I've got a EWS problem too. What's been happening every so often is that I'll go and start the car and it will crank over but not fire up. If I leave the key in the ignition and keep trying, it won't start. But if I remove the key out of the ignition and insert it back in, crank it, it will start. This says to me that the key antenna is faulting but if it is, would it not crank over too? Can anyone shed some light on this? My car is a 96 328i as well.

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[qube 3570]

why dont u think its just simply a faulty fuel pump?

[danbullock 15]

Yeah I've just been thinking about that. I've come to realise that it happens more when its getting low on fuel. But once it fires up, there's no indication of the pump failing, and runs fine.

Probably just jinxed myself now.

I guess I'll pull the back seat up for now and see if it's making any noise next time it fails to start.

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[qube 3570]

when i had the problem with my mercedes not started i checked battery and fuses relays everything and even crankshaft sensors camshaft position sensors etc and turned out to be a faulty fuel pump. definitely check it out, it is a part that does fail and requires replacing at some stage.