You could say this weekend was quite "shocking" li

[318TOM]

So, Hi everyone.

I'm a 18 year old panel beater who has recently bought a BMW E30 318i 1990. And I've got some good questions for you lovely knowledgeable lot on what to do with her, because I'm a bit stuck on some things.

So, first problem is getting the Engine to crank over with the starter. I've replaced the battery (correct one) and had the starter re-conditioned, and now spins when voltage is applied. So in theory, is should start right? Well this is unfortunately not the case, I've tried everything and it seems to boil down to either the wires to the starter not getting enough voltage to the motor itself OR that the ignition barrel is faulty OR that there is a fault further back in the wiring somewhere, like a relay or something. We have put a multi-meter on and attempted to crank the starter and the main 12v wire is not getting any voltage through. Any suggestions on this?

Second problem! I will post a link somewhere here ---> to the corrosion on the car, and I'm particularly stumped on what panels to replace and what to save. I'm aware that I will need two rear inner arch skins, and a rear boot floor panel but what should I do with the front Valence, keep it or repair it? (All photos are on that imgur link)

Thanks guys, and enjoy your weekend.

[Speedtouch]

See the Zone troubleshooting guide:

http://www.e30zone.net/e30zonewiki/inde ... oubleshoot

I suppose that front valence could be repaired if you were prepared to put a lot of hours into it (I work at a bodyshop, so have reasonable experience of what's involved), or perhaps buy a new panel and cut out the sections you really need rather than replace the whole thing, which will be a mission involving having to drill out all the spot welds (hoping the chassis legs don't spring apart!), fit and align the new panel then try and replicate the original welds...

Anyway, good luck with the project.

[Sanchez]

Front valance is bolt on part, easy repair.

[318TOM]

@speedtouch I also work at a body shop, and I'm just tied between a repair or replacement part. Especially when its the front of the car so if I was to repair it, I would need it to look perfect. I guess life is full of difficult decisions

[318TOM]

@sanchez I noticed 2 8mm bolts on the side of the valence, is there more underneath or in the wing area?

[magpie]

are you sure the engine hasn't seized ?

[Brianmoooore]

Find the diagnostic socket (on the engine bulkhead, inboard of the fusebox, unscrew its cover, and identify pins 11 and 14. Short these two pins together with a short piece of wire, and the starter motor should engage and crank the engine.
This bypasses all the car body loom starter wiring, so will determine whether your problem is with the car or engine wiring.
If the engine does crank, turn the ignition on, and see if the engine starts and runs.

[318TOM]

I had the engine running from a bump start, so the engine is not seized. Actually runs smooth as a kitten with 48k on the clock.

[318TOM]

@brianmoooore I tried that and its completely dead, nothing happens anywhere. Should I upload a youtube video showing what happens when I try your steps

[318TOM]

Here's a link to a video on what's currently happening when I turn the key. Battery is sufficiently charged, even had it running yesterday from a push start. There's just nothing when I turn the key. Even tried to bypass the starter loom, still nothing. I'm stumped folks.

[magpie]

is the engine earthed ? should be an earth strap from drivers side engine mount to chassis leg .

[jmc330i]

Earth on the starter ok?
I recently fitted a recon starter that didn't spin when first fitted. The guys had sprayed the starter black to make it look pretty but turns out the numpties had also sprayed the earth terminal with black paint!

[318TOM]

engine is earthed, and I shall try and look next weekend @JMC330i if the earth terminal and live terminal are able to get voltage through

[Brianmoooore]

Earth on the starter ok?
I recently fitted a recon starter that didn't spin when first fitted. The guys had sprayed the starter black to make it look pretty but turns out the numpties had also sprayed the earth terminal with black paint!

Seen that on more than one occasion! You an also get electrolytic corrosion between alloy and iron which does the same thing.

[Brianmoooore]

engine is earthed, and I shall try and look next weekend @JMC330i if the earth terminal and live terminal are able to get voltage through

Connect a meter or a 12 volt bulb between a rocker cover nut/stud and a rear bonnet bracket or the earth terminal on the RH suspension turret, and try to crank the engine. If you read any voltage or the bulb lights, then the engine to body earth is the problem.

[318TOM]

I shall try all of these suggestions at the weekend and will inform you all about any advancements/problems. Thanks a lot for all your help chaps!

[Speedtouch]

Try whacking the starter motor body with a club hammer or similar...

[dave525]

I think best bet for panels is good used where possible.

[318TOM]

@dave525, yeah I think thats the plan mate. And also to everyone else, the engine is still not cranking over when I hook the battery directly to the starter. I'm going to have to call an auto electrician and some repair work done to the wiring loom on the engine

[ChrisHC]

On another car I had a very elusive starter problem and after a lot of messing about and bump starting it all across Europe, it turned out to be that the terminal crimped on the end of the starter cable had come loose.

[318TOM]

Tried everything, checked everything. To my knowledge why it isn't starting is an absolute mystery, having a electrical mechanic come out and check that everything is how it should be. Super disappointing with myself that I couldn't get her running by herself. Hopefully will be cranking next weekend.

[Speedtouch]

You could try running a thick cable direct from battery positive (+) to the main terminal on the starter motor, just to verify that the actual motor turns.

If it does, the problem will be either a duff ignition switch or starter solenoid, or wiring between the ignition switch and the solenoid.

[318TOM]

Nothing happens when I run the cable directly from the live to the live on the starter. @Speedtouch

[Brianmoooore]

Nothing happens when I run the cable directly from the live to the live on the starter. @Speedtouch

How about when you add the negative to negative as well?

[318TOM]

Still nothing dude, its so weird because the battery has plenty of charge, and the place that I got the starter sorted out had tested it to see if it works. @brianmoooore

[Brianmoooore]

Where, exactly, did you connect the live from the battery at the starter motor end?

[318TOM]

Good news everyone! The starter now cranks the engine and everything seems to work as it left the factory! Ticks over like butter. Just a few little problems with the idle control valve and possible air leaks.

[magpie]

what was the problem ?

[318TOM]

Engine earth xD Something so simple and stupid which I checked turned out to be the problem. There was no braided cable left in the middle so nothing was getting though for the starter.

[magpie]

Engine earth xD Something so simple and stupid which I checked turned out to be the problem. There was no braided cable left in the middle so nothing was getting though for the starter.

i did say say engine earth

[Brianmoooore]

Engine earth xD Something so simple and stupid which I checked turned out to be the problem. There was no braided cable left in the middle so nothing was getting though for the starter.

i did say say engine earth

engine is earthed, and I shall try and look next weekend @JMC330i if the earth terminal and live terminal are able to get voltage through

Connect a meter or a 12 volt bulb between a rocker cover nut/stud and a rear bonnet bracket or the earth terminal on the RH suspension turret, and try to crank the engine. If you read any voltage or the bulb lights, then the engine to body earth is the problem.

[318TOM]

I know you peeps suggested it, and I'm kicking myself for not checking it properly! Learned my lesson as its cost me 70 quid in labour Check before you spend!

[318TOM]

I know you peeps suggested it, and I'm kicking myself for not checking it properly! Learned my lesson as its cost me 70 quid in labour Check before you spend!

[Speedtouch]

Good to hear you finally got it up and running.

[BackinBlack]

Thank you for updating what the issue was. I have been experiencing a similar issue with mine - when I checked my strap i checked: it was there and it was connected at each end. I'll be checking it more thoroughly at the weekend.