Hi I have a 1996 e36 bow it cranks over its getting petrol has spark won't start it does for a split second hoping anyone can help

It could be a few things if it's petrol need to check if u got a spark if no spark could be a crank sensor if no fuel could be fuel pump could be a broken wire or immobiliser fault . If fuel low it could also be the pick up in the tank might be split or broke so can't pick up fuel. Hope this helps

Check compression and timing. Then check sensors(MAF, oil pressure sensor). Don't crank engine too long. Cranking engine may pour a lot of petrol into your engine oil.

ok, turning over and cranking are the same thing, what your saying is it won't fire, so , 2 things make a motor fire, electric and fuel, so starting with the easiest remedy , remove the distributor cap, and inspect the rotor and connection points that are inside the cap, check for any debris built up , sometimes you can clean them good enough to get the car to fire up, if it does , normally you would replace them , ( not that expensive) remove the number one cylinder spark plug, and once out put the spark plug wire back on it, ( your going to need help with this step) with insulated pliers , hold the plug and place the bottom of the plug against a grounding point (any bolt on the motor will do,, but try and keep it away from the carb as its Hopefully going to spark) have someone try and turn the car over as if to start it, look for spark at the end of the plug, if you have spark,, replace the plug and try and start the car , if it won't,, move onto the fuel problem, you need to make sure that the car is getting fuel, remove the fuel line to the carb turn the key for a second, you should see fuel splashing out, if yes ,, you should be able to start the car , if no,, check the fuel filter first , then the fuel pump,

Fuel pressure test , is there spark ? Videos on youtube showing how to check .

Hello and welcome to FixYa!

Looks like that there's no current flowing that's why it won't fire up. I strongly suggest that you check and replace the coil pack if necessary. If the coil pack is faulty there will be no current to the plugs. One good reason why it won't fire up.

Hope this helps and thank you for using FixYa! Have a good one!

I had same problem on 1996 gmc. It would start great and run great if you primed it with gas. The fuel pressure was at 55lb. It turned out itwas the fuel pump. The injectors on my truck needed more pressure to start but after starting this was enough pressure to run. I ran my truck for 4 months before the fuel pump quit alltogether. Once I changed the pump it started perfectly. Hope this is helpful. Sudbury, Ontario, Canada

most likely the sender in the gas tank is bad.

petrol or diesel. get back to me and what year

either your fuel pump relay or the safety shut off switch

hello, it sounds like the tension straps for the top are stretched. when the straps get like that, they allow collision between the storage lid and the rear bow. I would recommend having the straps inspected to see if they can be pulled tighter, or if they need to be replaced.