Dick&Cheryl
Newbie
- Joined
- Mar 19, 2026
- Points
- 1
Thank You for the approval.
In way of introduction, allow me to explain what brings me to this site. Apparently in 1999 my brother-in-law who was very successful in business, newly divorced, and experiencing some sort of mid-life crisis, bought a new BMW M Roadster. He has treated that car like his own baby ever since. In 2008 he and my sister-in-law were married and he has continued to baby this car. One month ago, he passed. His wife asked me to help get the car going and cleaned up so she can do something with it or sell it. I've been a bit of a gearhead my whole life, but never was fortunate enough to play with a BMW, especially one this new or nice. The first thing I found was that the 5 year old battery was bad and it wouldn't even turn over. I installed a new battery and it turns over great BUT it doesn't fire. I cycled the key off and on and I think I hear the fuel pump run for a second or two each time. So was the trouble fuel or spark? I tried a squirt of starting fluid and it popped right off until the fluid burned off and it died. Apparently I'm not getting fuel. Can anyone who has lived with these cars help me discover what the trouble might be? There is fuel in the tank, even added some to be sure. Can the factory security system cause this? Can a dead battery in the key cause this? Any advice from those of you who have experienced trouble like this will be MUCH appreciated.
Thank You.
In way of introduction, allow me to explain what brings me to this site. Apparently in 1999 my brother-in-law who was very successful in business, newly divorced, and experiencing some sort of mid-life crisis, bought a new BMW M Roadster. He has treated that car like his own baby ever since. In 2008 he and my sister-in-law were married and he has continued to baby this car. One month ago, he passed. His wife asked me to help get the car going and cleaned up so she can do something with it or sell it. I've been a bit of a gearhead my whole life, but never was fortunate enough to play with a BMW, especially one this new or nice. The first thing I found was that the 5 year old battery was bad and it wouldn't even turn over. I installed a new battery and it turns over great BUT it doesn't fire. I cycled the key off and on and I think I hear the fuel pump run for a second or two each time. So was the trouble fuel or spark? I tried a squirt of starting fluid and it popped right off until the fluid burned off and it died. Apparently I'm not getting fuel. Can anyone who has lived with these cars help me discover what the trouble might be? There is fuel in the tank, even added some to be sure. Can the factory security system cause this? Can a dead battery in the key cause this? Any advice from those of you who have experienced trouble like this will be MUCH appreciated.
Thank You.
I had the same issue with mine and after much chasing the issue turned out to be the fuel pump, replaced it and it was sorted. That said get a code reader on it and see if there are other issues. It could the isolator, fuel pump relay or something else.
