My 1993 325i wont start! It will start up, sputter and die immediatly. I checked the engine code and it shows a failure in the MAF.
Is anyone available soon to swap MAF with me, just so I know if that is the problem and I can get a new one before the weekend? I would really appreciate it! I live in Campbell. If you can help, please call me at 408-876-8826. Thanks in advance!!
Toby

I would start with the usual suspects before I targetted the MAF.
- fuel pump (under rear seat)
- fuel filter (under left side motor mount) - how old is it ?
- vacuum lines - did you accidently knock off the ICV hose ?
- coil packs/spark plugs - check the plugs for spark and wear, check coils for burn marks (arc-over)

Where's the ICV hose? Is it one that goes into the throttle body? Thanks in advance.

Where's the ICV hose? Is it one that goes into the throttle body? Thanks in advance.
http://picserv.pixio.nl/~picserver/i.php?/6F216TATXD42GM2U/W37888CL5B95/JPEG/1132388261//zrkb

When you turn the key (without starting the car), do you hear a hum coming from the back of the car (under the rear seats where the fuel pump is)? If not, it's a fuel pump issue. I would first check the fuses and relays to the fuel pump. You can check the relay by pulling out the relay and jumping pins 30 and 87 using a fused jumper wire. If the fuel pump works when you use the jumper, then the relay is bad: replace. If not, your fuel pump is bad. If you haven't changed your fuel filter for awhile (60k+ miles), you should do it now.

If the fuel pump works, check your spark plugs and coils as well as the ICV and vacuum lines.

Well, today we replaced my MAF with my buddies with no luck.
The car will start up and then die immediatly. If I hold the gas down, it will sputter but stay alive. If I hold the gas down too much (1/4-1/2 way), it will sputter and stay alive, but you'll hear somr pretty sparatic and loud "knock"ing sounds or "pop"ing sounds. I'm assuming fuel pump and filter are decent since it actually fires up everytime. I'm assuming spark is good since it's actually starting up. I'm going to assume this is either being caused by the ICV or the TPS sensor choking it out. Any thoughts? Thanks in advance.

but you'll hear some pretty sparatic and loud "knock"ing sounds or "pop"ing sounds.
Err..you might actually have *valve* damage..

I'm assuming fuel pump and filter are decent since it actually fires up everytime.
Big assumption. The fuel filter could be blocking 80% of the flow, but passing enough fuel pressure to allow starting, but not continued running.

I'm assuming spark is good since it's actually starting up.
Again, big assumption.

If it were me, I'd be getting AAA to tow the car to a good mechanic, before more damage is caused

Figured it out. $340 later, it's running again thanks to the Crank Position Sensor. Turns out the oil filter housing was pinching the electrical wire for the sensor and after a light tug, the wire snapped out completely. They also noticed my lower belt tensioner was broken and replaced that too. Cars back to her normal self again. Thanks.