m52 how to wire up e30 starter motor

[jimmyspeed]

Struggling through a clutch change on my 328 and am wondering whether i can use my e30 starter. (fitting all e30 clutch,flywheel)

The current problem is my starter e30 (prefacelift) has 3 connections, instead of the 4 on the current e36 loom. Pictures are below

Am crap at electrics so hope someone can tell me what to do ?


the e30 one


e36 one with lower small wire visible


e36 with the upper small wire visible


any help much appreciated

[Brianmoooore]

Connect the black/green small wire to the inner 8mm terminal - the one that has the braid going to the actual motor.
If you examine the four terminal solenoid carefully, you will see that there is (on most) a metal link running from the 8mm stud to the fourth terminal.

[jimmyspeed]

thanks Brian - just to confirm you mean the smooth small wire not the ducted one.

[Brianmoooore]

The one that's black/green, which is probably the smooth one. Check under the black outer sheath to confirm.
The ducted one is probably black/yellow.

[jimmyspeed]

nice one - will hopefully get its all out tomorrow and have a look !