I was driving my 1990 325 from Boston to N.J. when I stopped in a rest area on I-95. When I tried to re-start the car I discovered that it would not start. Ack!

Here are the symptoms:

1. Battery seems okay, the engine cranks but doesn't start.

2. I was able to start it (once) with difficulty, but engine wouldn't stay running.

3. When it was running it sounded terrible, as if it was misfiring or not firing on all cylinders.

After that I couldn't get it to start at all. :(

4. While this was happening the check engine light was on.

The spark plugs are pretty new, just a couple months old. I also replaced the gas filter and air filter recently.

At first I thought it could be the fuel pump. The AAA guy thought it could be a fuel problem or ignition problem, possibly the coil.

I had the car towed 100 miles under AAA plus -- the first time this membership has really paid off in the 7 years I've had it.

So now my car is at my brother's place in Bloomfield, NJ (next to Montclair, NJ.

I don't live in that area so I have no idea what shop to go to.

If it's something I can repair myself I would try to do it, other wise I would take it somewhere to have it repaired. I do have the Bentley manual on hand.

Anyone have any advice for trouble shooting, or for finding an independent BMW-repair place in the Montclair, NJ area?

Thanks for your help.

I had a similar problem with my E36 320 not starting in low temperatures!

After changing almost everything!!!...I found that the problem is with the gas pressure valve (or the timing sensor)!

Check the gas pressure (should be 3.5 bar for a M50 B25 engine)!!And it should vary by +-0.2

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I just thought I'd follow up and tell what the problem was. I followed the Bentley manual for troubleshooting and determined that the engine was getting a spark. I decided to concentrate on a fuel problem first. I checked the fuel pump fuse -- it was okay. Tested the fuel pump relay by switching it with the O2 sensor heater relay. Still no reaction from the fuel pump. I removed a hose from the fuel pump to see if it was actually pumping anythng. Nope. Finally I removed the fuel pump and connected it momentarily on the battery. Still no reaction. I decided the pump was dead, went to a nearby salvage place and bought a 'new' one. Installed it (checking carefully for leaks) and the car started up right away!