E30 Zone

Thought was starter but had it out and tested it this weekend and it's fine, used to click and turn slow but now nothing, can jump the starter using screwdriver under bonnet but am crap with electrics so dunno where to start.
Help lol

Check the engine-to-body earth strap is clean and securely connected, and also that the battery is fully charged and has good connections.

Think the problem lies in the ignition circuit mate, battery is good and checked earth and is fine. It turns over fine if I bridge the main starter lead and lower starter connection.

It's a black/yellow wire you need to check out, all the way back to the steering column, where it becomes plain black for the last 250mm to the switch.
Start by taking the c101 engine plug and socket apart and check that a lamp connected between the black/yellow on the body side and a good body earth lights when you turn the key to start. Apply 12 volts direct from the battery+ to the black/yellow on the engine loom side of the C101, and the engine should crank.

Thanks brian, thought it was starter at first as sometimes just clicked or was slow. Had smoke come from that area once so wonder if its crap connection or join.
Il check it out this weekend and once again thanks very much

Ok I managed to pop up and have a poke about, no power to the black and yellow when turning the key but does turn when powering it. Gonna have a check of the ignition switch next weekend , had no battery light with ignition on but pump primed and icv buzzing away.

There's a multi pin plug and socket for the ignition switch that should be clipped to the steering column, stacked with another plug and socket, about half way down, but is often not clipped in place.
Check that the starter signal part of the plug ans socket is pushed together properly. The wire is black on the ignition switch side of the connector and black/yellow on the body loom side.
If nothing appears wrong here, you can pull the plug and socket apart and link the red wire in the body loom to the black/yellow with a short piece of wire, which should make the engine turn over. If this happens, the ignition switch is probably faulty.

Thanks brian really appreciate it

Stripped column plastics off and unclipped ign switch, put screwdriver in and turned and fired straight up. One of the clips had snapped so wasnt sitting properly, few cable ties and some swearing and it's all good again. Thanks again for the help Brian