Fuel Pump Relay!!!!!
 

I have a 96 318ti that is not getting any fuel. I tested the power, and there was none. I'm pretty sure that it's the Fuel pump relay. The problem is that I cant figure out which relay is the Fuel pump relay.:confused: In a repair manual I bought it says it's the #1 realy, but where the diagham says it is there is a black space in my fuse box. Im am desprate to get my car back on the road!!!
Thanks

did you check the fuse? mine blew the fuse when the fuel pump went out

Yes
 

Yea I checked that first and it was fine.

let me counsult Mr. Chilton and 'll get back with you

Attachment 3747
The relay to the right of the pointing finger.

ok so your relay should be the one directly to the right of fuse #10

Yea thats wat the manual sais, but in my car that is just an empty space. There are prongs there but no wires or the relay. It is very weird!

Any blue ones?

I have a different setup from the one pictured as well.

I have same problem; can't identify the relay, and where told to look there is nothing present (1998 M44 model, UK spec, so may be different to 1996 M42 engine).

Picture of my fuse box attached to see if that helps anyone...

Yes, the diagram above is more like mine, Outside of the fuse box there are 2 relays instead of three(same colors). Does anyone Know which is the fuel pump relay!?

After a couple of hours of searching on the internet, I'm still unsure which is which. I found one site which suggests the LH relay is the fuel pump (middle socket of the three).

I'll be back at my local garage tomorrow to see what he says (he was baffled earlier today), and if that fails will try the BMW main agent to identify parts. If I get an answer, will post it back here.

If all else fails, I am tempted to just replace both of the relays; the parts are quite cheap.

Any definitive information still required !

OK thanks, I too have been looking and cant find it anywhere!

OK, back from the BMW dealer's part desk. One of the dealer mechanics took a look, then went and found the printed diagrams for the car to work out which was which.

According to them, the two relays towards the centre line, under the smaller cover, are Fuel Pump (centre slot) and DME (engine mangement, right slot). They are identical relays (and I think pretty common over the BMW range from comments of parts desk man).

The space to the left would house a relay for the O2 sensors if needed by the car (not sure which markets that would be, possibly California??. My car would need such sensors for the catalyst and EU emission regulations, but I guess a different system).



They are only 5 pounds each (=~US$10) and held in stock by the local dealer's parts desk, so to save further hassle, I plan to swap both.

As my problem is intermittant, I can't be certain the swap fixes the problem. All I can do is wait to see if it recurs.

Reminder - my car is a 1998 UK/EU, M44 engine, manual.

- Nige

I just had my fuel pump relay die today. The car cranked and cranked but would not fire. I checked the fuses and all were good. I then checked the power at the fuel pump electrical plug. I could not get 12v. After more investigating I randomly got the car to start. I immediately checked the fuel pump plug again and got the 12v (immediately after turning the ignition to ON), but it was inconsistant. Sometimes I'd get 12v, sometimes not.

Got the relay at the local dealer (which is always a rip-off) for $20.46 after the BMWCCA discount.

Also, my car did not have the three relays under the little black cover (like Nige_UK's car) as the diagrams show. My forward one is blank. The 318ti electrical guide I had saved on my computer confirmed, as Nige_UK mentioned; the rearward relay is the main DME and the "middle" one is the fuel pump relay. Both identical mint green.

Thanks!
 

All the manuals have 3 relays as everyone else mentioned so thank you for the confirmation!