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Thread: E46 318ci (N42B20A) not starting?

  1. #1
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    E46 318ci (N42B20A) not starting?

    Picked up a very clean non-runner E46 318ci last night,
    Engine Code N42B20A.

    It starts after a while, But barely runs like it's just 1 cylinder... No power and won't rev.

    No EML lights etc.. and it's showing no error codes when plugged in.


    Any ideas?

  2. #2
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    Re: E46 318ci (N42B20A) not starting?

    Can you hear the fuel pump running

    Could be a number of things very reliable engine

  3. #3
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    RE: E46 318ci (N42B20A) not starting?

    Quote Originally Posted by Gar
    Can you hear the fuel pump running
    Didn't even think of that TBH!! :smiling:

    No fuel pump priming noise on key position 2.

  4. #4
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    RE: E46 318ci (N42B20A) not starting?

    Still no luck, No power coming to fuel pump in car..... :sad:

    Also tried to start it with fuel pump wired to another battery and it still wouldn't start?

  5. #5
    BMWHaus Contributor
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    RE: E46 318ci (N42B20A) not starting?

    Quote Originally Posted by BMW
    Still no luck, No power coming to fuel pump in car..... :sad:

    Also tried to start it with fuel pump wired to another battery and it still wouldn't start?
    Have you had the car plugged in? I had one that slipped its chain no lights on dash and would not start.

  6. #6
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    RE: E46 318ci (N42B20A) not starting?

    Quote Originally Posted by E46Padge
    Quote Originally Posted by BMW
    Still no luck, No power coming to fuel pump in car..... :sad:

    Also tried to start it with fuel pump wired to another battery and it still wouldn't start?
    Have you had the car plugged in? I had one that slipped its chain no lights on dash and would not start.

    Yes plugged it in, and it showed no error codes.

    I did manage to eventually get it started and move it, But it barely runs... Like it's just running on one cylinder.


    Is there an easyish way to check the chain?

  7. #7
    BMWHaus Contributor
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    RE: E46 318ci (N42B20A) not starting?

    Iam not 100% clued in on n42 timing but this has worked for me in the past on other cars.
    Get the bottom end to top dead centre. I.e take out plug in cylinder 1. Put dipstick/steel bar down into the hole it will rest on top of piston. turn engine over by hand until the dipstick is at its highest point. Wip the rocker off and i think there should be some markings on the ends of the cams closest to the fire wall. Also when the rocker covet is off check the chain to see if it's slack.

  8. #8
    BMWHaus Contributor
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    RE: E46 318ci (N42B20A) not starting?

    There is no marking as such if u do this look at rear of the cams they should have a round edge looking up and also should be 90 degrees to the cam box ..to lock flywheel its located under the starting motor.

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