BMW Repair: BMW 325 doesnt start, fuel pump relay, bmw 325


Question
My 325 1987 suddenly stalled and I pulled it over, after several attempts I was able to start it. After that it ran fine for a couple of weeks then it hapenned again. After several attempts it started and ran fine just enough to get me home, after I parked into the garage it won't start again. I replaced the fuel filter, distributor cap, ignition cables and checked the coil, the coil is ok. Then I checked the fuel pump terminals and there is no voltage. I did that with someone helping me to crank the car. I also got checked the pump relay and it is ok.
Any suggestion to go further?

Thanks

Answer
Mario,
 Great job on sourcing the problem.  This sounds like a fuel pump issue to me (as you already found out).  To make sure, take note of HOW it stalls.  If it just STOPS, like you turned off the key, then it's likely an electrical problem with the ignition.  If it sputters and dies slowly, then it's likely a fuel problem (probably what you experienced).  
 So you have no voltage going to the pump but the relay is good?  Well you need to back-track the voltage problem.  First, make sure that voltage is getting to the relay!  If the relay is getting voltage, then it is likely a problem between the relay and the pump.  Sometimes the wires rub on things and the coating wears off, allowing the wire(s) to ground-out on the frame/body.  If this is happening then you will not see any voltage to the pump.  

 My guess is to double-check the fuel pump relay and make sure that it is not sticking.  Since it works sometimes, it sounds like a wire is loose or a contact in the relay is not making connection 100%.  It would be best to replace the relay (cheap) to be 100% certain.  After this I would double check my voltage to the pump.  Make sure you are getting a good connection with your multi-meter.  If you still find that you are not getting voltage to the pump, start tracing the wire and look for bare spots all the way to the relay.  My guess is that the relay is faulty, and "sometimes" it works, and that may have thrown you off.  Or there is a bad ground on your car somewhere.  This is especially true if you live in the Northern states where Salt is used on the roadways.  It will corrode the connections of any grounds.

 Hope this helps,
 Josh