325i Sport battery drain / starting issues...? Starter off!

[StuB]

Hi All,

I've not posted on here for ages, but need some advice if my E30 is ever to see the road again. It's been stuck in the garage for almost two years now and I really want to get it going again and hope someone can help.

Apologies for the long winded ramble, but please stick with it...

The car always had a tendency to flatten batteries if it was left unused for a long period, which I always assumed was down to the clock in the dash or perhaps the central locking or alarm. So, last summer I bit the bullet and bought it a nice new Bosch battery of the correct spec, 70Ah I think it was. I connected it up and it seemed to crank over for a long time, very quickly though, before starting. I changed the oil, cleaned out the airbox and trunking, checked a few other things over and it seemed to run ok so I put it back in the garage awaiting further attention.

A few days later (still last summer!) I tried to start it again, and it was similar, cranked over for ages before starting (I'd already put fresh petrol in) but fired up and ran relatively smoothly, all electrics functioning ok. I stopped it and tried to restart, and it did, again cranking for longer than usual before firing. Stopped it again and tried once more and it just clicked like the battery was flat. I tested the battery and it was showing just over 12v across it, the windows and wipers worked fine at normal speed (not slow / stopped like when the battery is flat) but it wouldn't attempt to start as if the solenoid was just clicking in but not allowing enough current for cranking.

The question is (sorry to ramble on) - where should I be looking for voltage drops, short circuits etc. that could be causing this? In the starter wiring? Solenoid? Battery cabling (it's in the boot on this model).

I have looked at all the fuses and relays I can find, cleaned up the contacts at the battery, under the bonnet, at the starter and solenoid etc. but it just refuses to do anything when you turn the key, though all the other electrics seem fine. Not sure if the solenoid is even clicking?

I did try the Haynes manual troubleshooting procedure but as it was about six months ago I forget where I got up to, I know it don't work though! I think I got as far as worrying about how to get the starter motor off, if that's even the fault?

So - any advice appreciated. The car has done 155k miles and is all standard. It needs a few other jobs to get it roadworthy, but until I hear the engine running there's not much point getting on with those

Going to have a search around the forum now for related info.

Cheers
Stu

[StuB]

Oh, here's a nice pic of the car from a few years ago when it used to work

[/img]

[StuB]

Just a little update, which may help someone more knowledgable than I diagnose the fault hopefully?

After some reading on here earlier I've just been out to the garage, connected the battery up (tested it first with a multimeter and it's fine) and tried shorting pins 11 and 14 in the diagnostic socket. This has the same effect as turning the key in that you hear a relay click and something under the bonnet (idle valve or similar?) start buzzing, but the engine doesn't attempt to crank over.

Any ideas?

[daimlerman]

Starter motor is either jammed into the flywheel(try rocking the car in gear to free it)or the starter is buggered.

Lots and lots of swearing are required to extract the starter motor,and lots more to re-fit it.

[StuB]

Starter motor is either jammed into the flywheel(try rocking the car in gear to free it)or the starter is buggered.

Lots and lots of swearing are required to extract the starter motor,and lots more to re-fit it.

Hi,

Thanks for the reply, much appreciated. I did try rocking it in gear a while back to see if that'd help, but it didn't unfortunately. I think you have confirmed what I expected, the starter needs to come out. Nothing else to check first just in case...?

It does look difficult to access the starter, and from what I read the top bolt is a real pain. Any tips? I have an engine crane, would lifting or lowering the engine help access at all?

[daimlerman]

Air box,throttle bellows out will help,a little,getting the thing as high as possible into the air will help as well.A helper to guide the correct socket onto the correct bellhousing bolts will also help.The good news is that there are 'only' two bolts to remove,along with the wiring.Either take great care with the wiring connections,or dis-connect the battery,as your spanner and pinkies will get very warm when/if you short a connection to earth.

Lowering the gearbox will give more room,but is a further mission requiring the exhaust,heatshields and propshaft dis-connecting....

As you will gather,this is not as easy as fitting new spark plugs!

[StuB]

As you will gather,this is not as easy as fitting new spark plugs!

Ah yes, I'm picking up on that, hence why the car has been sat in the garage with this being on my 'to do' list for about a year and I've been driving my E36 instead...

I'm a decent DIY mechanic and have done plenty of tinkering around with VW's, swapping engines, clutches and all that stuff... but they were all FWD and more straightforward it seems.

I'll hopefully get started on it this aft and report back on the skinned knuckles vs. progress later in the weekend. Thanks again for the replies, much appreciated

[StuB]

Today's update, the starter is now off. It took around two hours this morning following the tips mentioned above to remove the air-box etc. first. I was unable to recruit and assistant so had to go it alone, my skinned knuckles aren't thanking me for that but at least it's off.

It may be the original starter, I'm not sure? It's a Bosch one.

Here's an action pic




So, next question. How do I test what's wrong with my starter / solenoid? I assume I could briefly hook it up to a battery on the floor (with it well supported as I know if it did work it'd fly across the floor)? Obviously I could replace it, or get it reconditioned, but I'd like to know it's definitely knackered first.

I do have a spare one that my brother in law had left-over when we put a 328i engine into his E36 compact a while ago, but I can't remember if it was from the 1.8 or 2.8 engine, and in any case if it'd be any use on my older engine? Any way to tell, aside from fit it and try?

See pic below. My original is on the right here, and the E36 one on the left which appears to be more or less the same size, though a little shorter and has a dowel that mine doesn't.




Here's another pic, E30 one on the left from this angle, E36 on the right. You can see the dowel here.



Any thoughts much appreciated, cheers

[pnd]

if you want an e30 325 starter motor for a facelift car i have a brand new bosch one here for £20 plus post pm me if interested.

[StuB]

if you want an e30 325 starter motor for a facelift car i have a brand new bosch one here for £20 plus post pm me if interested.

PM'd

[StuB]

Just to update this, I fitted the replacement starter today that Roger (pnd) sent me and the car started first time and runs great - even though it's just been gathering dust in the garage for months. Couldn't believe it!

Thanks again for all the advice, and particular to Roger for sending me the starter - I really appreciate it, he's great chap to deal with and even posted it off without waiting for my cheque to clear

The old E30 may see the road again soon after all