325i will not turn off engine

[Morten]

It just keeps running when I remove the ignition key.

The only way I found to turn it off without the use of tools, is to (please forgive me) turn the key so that the starter motor engages shortly (the sound is not good...), and then remove the key immediatly afterwards. Then engine turns off.

It also has another problem: If I forget to turn off the lights before turning off the engine, then the rear light will remain on. I then need to restart the engine, turn on & off the light and then turn the engine off (following the above procedure...) Does this point towards a circuitboard somewhere ???

I just bought this car Monday. I drove 400KM to pick it up in Germany, I think I turned the engine on & off 20 times while checking the car and test driving it, and the problems started 10 Km after leaving the dealership. Am I lucky or what ?

I'm still hapy with the deal, love the Car, do not doubt I will get this fixed, I just need some tips getting started diagnosing this on a car I know practically nothing about. Thanks in advance.

Morten.

[Morten]

Forgot to mention it's an E30 - 1989 325i Touring, loaded with extras, AC, Cruise controll, On-board fuel computer, etc.

[Skycity_BMW]

Have you tried to talk to the dealer. If not get a code reader. I wish I knew more about the E30's awesome cars . . . I love them ! ! !

workin on get a E30 cabby for the summer ! !

[Morten]

Yes, I talked to the dealer. It was sold as a private car for one of the people working there. I gave the previus owner a call, explaining that I am quite happy with the deal in any case and was not trying to get my money back (which I would not have any chance of anyways). He claimed the car has never done this before, and since ha e has no reason to be untruthful I might as well take his word for it.

Car has been standing still for 3 months, things can happen.

I forgot to mention the car has an extra keyhole in the drivers door for an alarm or imobilizer. A friend of mine told me that is original BMW. Could something be wrong with this imobilizer or whatever ?

What's a code reader ???

[Skycity_BMW]

A coder reader or Fault code tool is a devise that reads codes from the computer when something is wrong with the car . not running right . .

Check this out . . .
http://www.bimmerzone.com/resettool.htm

[Morten]

I took it apart and was saddened to see the amount of unauthorized wiring :-(

One wire was connectod from ignition key harness to - get this - The fresh air blower switch/knob.

So, the blower needs to be off in order to stop the engine. Doh!

I'll see if I can convince my Friend to share a code reader. Price seens a bit steep for what it is...

Morten.

[Skycity_BMW]

yeah . . it's alittle high . . but . . it's always there for you . . . .