Hello Scott, big fan of your YouTube channel. I am restoring an 85 BMW 325e for my 17 year-old son, his dream car. Bought one, and it ran when I first bought it but then it died. Full disclosure, I know nothing about engines. When I bought the car the engine was covered in oil. So, I got the brilliant idea to wash the engine with water and soap. Stopped working after that. That's what began my journey. I became a youtube mechanic. I replaced the fuel pump. Didn't start. Got a new battery, and in my ignorance, I reversed the polarity, because for some reason the red wire was the ground and the black was the positive. I noticed a burning smell coming from the engine. I noticed I burned the alternator out. So I replaced it but still no start. So that began my journey to a full on restoration, this is what i have replaced, new alternator, new fuel pump, new water pump, new tubes, hoses, new fuel injectors, and the head machined and new gaskets, new head bolts, new valves, new cam shaft position sensors, new reference sensors, new timing belt, new tensioner, all new fuel filters, new fuel pressure regulator, new starter, all new sensors, new fuel injectors, front and rear main seals replaced, new spark plug and wires, new distributor, new thermostat, new radiator, new ignition coil, new torque converter, new transmission filter, serviced all the fluids, New ECU, I even bought another wire harness and replaced injector connections, and re-wrapped the harness. . But I just can't get to it start. I have fuel, just no spark. I have a friend test the ignition coil and it did not have the Oems it was supposed have. I don't know what else to do. I have been all over YouTube to find answers, but I just can't get the car started. My kid loves this car and I feel so failed as a father cause I can't get it to start. I have spent countless hours on the car. I have completely cleaned the engine bay, the car itself and there is no oil anywhere, all the seals are good. I need help! Any insights? Here is a link to my page with video of me trying to start the engine. https://www.youtube.com/shorts/bJgR8Yprdt0
I reversed the polarity,
That's pretty much guarantee to fry vehicle electronics. You're already replaced quite a bit, loading up the parts cannon. Since it seems to be an ignition problem you need to obtain a schematic diagram and trace where the fault is. (If it's anything like the mid-1980s Saabs I've owned it would have a Bosch distributor with a Hall Effect sensor feeding into an ignition module separate from the ECU.) You need to obtain a shop manual for the car if you don't have one, or maybe subscribe to ALLDATAdiy.
