Not My Starter Motor Solenoid.... SO.. what is it then??????

[blueshadow]

Hi,
a few weeks back I put up a message asking for help with a slight E30 starting problem.
The problem being that when my car gets warm, after about 20 mins of driving... when I turn it off, and then try to start again, the starter motor will not turn over. NOTHING at all. Display on dash lights up but when key is turned...nothing.
Then, leave it for about 2 hours until cool again...all is fine again. This is becoming a pain, as I have to find things to do for 2 hours when I go anywhere !
So, Most suggestions before were that it is likely to be a problem with the starter motor solenoid... so I spent the lat 2 days changing the whole starter motor (including solenoid).... went for a drive today.........
But . SAME PROBLEM...AHHHHHH

So, any ideas what I can try next?
I can still get it started by connecting the terminals on the solenoid and shorting it, so there is power down there.... Can it be something between the key and the solenoid? All other electrics work just fine..

??

Regards
Lee

[Dante]

I have exactly the same problem with my 318is. When the engine is cold it turns on with the first time. When it's warm and i turn it off it's really a pain to get it back on.
It needs about ten tries to get it! A friend of mine told me that it's possibly the air flow meter with hot and cold air getting it confused.

Any suggestions? And if it's really the air flow meter then how do i get it fixed?

[stonesie]

it could be the ignition switch, if not then i dunno what else to try

[Brianmoooore]

.... Can it be something between the key and the solenoid?
Lee

Only thing between the ignition switch and the solenoid is a fairly thick black/yellow wire.
This wire has plug and socket joints clipped to the side of the steering column, above the glovebox, and as part of the C101 engine loom connector.
Next time it fails, link together pins 11 and 14 of the diagnostic socket, and see if that works the starter motor.