Starter only works when car is cold?

Need technical Q/A then you're in the right place

Moderator: martauto

Post Reply
User avatar
van31
E30 Zone Newbie
E30 Zone Newbie
Posts: 11
Joined: Tue Jan 20, 2015 11:00 pm

Fri Aug 14, 2015 1:36 pm

I've had some issues with my car cranking after it's been parked for more than around 10-15 minutes. Car is an Australian delivered 1985 323i manual 4 door.

After pulling the starter apart around 6 months ago and testing the motor and solenoid were working I put the thing back in and it worked well for a few months.

If i've parked the car overnight, i'll switch the ignition on, fuel pump primes, turn the key further and the lights on the dash just dim, no crank or anything. It's been really consisent with the non- start. Car will roll/clutch start just fine.

But here's the odd part: After the car has been running for more than a minute or so (maybe less) you can switch it off and when attempting to crank it then, the car will start instantly.

Initially I thought that the wire used to trigger the motor had fallen off, but it seems to be attached.

Does anyone have any ideas? My Haynes wiring diagram really isnt giving me much help.


Thank you Zoners!
User avatar
gromgsxr
E30 Zone Regular
E30 Zone Regular
Posts: 451
Joined: Tue Dec 06, 2011 11:00 pm

Fri Aug 14, 2015 1:39 pm

battery?
markus_74
E30 Zone Camper
E30 Zone Camper
Posts: 1078
Joined: Fri Jan 26, 2007 11:00 pm
Location: Kudus city, Indonesia
Contact:

Sat Aug 15, 2015 12:06 pm

I got the same symptom but cure after replace the ignition starter key circuit.
Post Reply