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Registered
Join Date: Jun 2001
Location: Arlington VA USA
Posts: 14
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Starter problems, please help!
I just picked up a 1987 BMW L7. I thought it was an L7 until Javier told me that they didn't important any to the US via the factory. So it's either a L7 or a very loaded 735i with 89k miles. I have had it a week and really enjoy it.
However, sometimes when you turn the key to start the car all the lights come on, but the starter doesn't engage or even click. You can turn the key off and try again and it may fire or do the same thing. Normally turn it off and on a few times it starts right up. Tonight it wouldn't fire for anything. I left it alone for 15 minutes and tried again, and the damn thing fired right up! I don't think it is the ignition switch since the warning lights and bells come on. I am new to BMW's and don't know where to start. Is there a starter relay or solinoid that goes bad? Do the starters get dead spots? Your advice would be a big help! Respectfully, Matthew McCloskey 
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06-29-2003, 04:17 PM
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Registered
Join Date: Jan 2003
Location: ALMA, ARKANSAS
Posts: 37
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STARTERS ARE NOT EASY TO CHANGE UNLESS YOU HAVE ACCESS TO A GARAGE AND TOOLS.
FIRST THINGS FIRST WHEN THE STARTER WORKS DOES IT SPIN THE MOTOR QUICKLEY OR SLOW? HAVE YOU CHECKED THE WIRING FOR LOOS OR DAMAGED INSULATION? CHECK THE GROUND TO THE ENGINE IT IS VERY IMPORTANT THAT ALL CONNECTION BE AS CLEAN AND TIGHT AS POSSIBLE. HAVE YOU CHECKED THE BATTERY VOLTAGE WHILE TURNING OVER THE ENGINE? |
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06-29-2003, 05:59 PM
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Registered
Join Date: Jun 2001
Location: Arlington VA USA
Posts: 14
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The starter spins at a normal quick speed from the sounds of it. I will look into the grounds to the motor and battery. I have no way of checking the voltage, but all the accesories work without issue even after trying to crank it 5-7 times. I do wish it was something as simple as a battery!
Matthew |
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06-29-2003, 06:14 PM
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Registered
Join Date: Jan 2003
Location: ALMA, ARKANSAS
Posts: 37
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IT SOUNDS LIKE THE SOLENOID IS THE PROBLEM, BUT I WOULD NOT RULE OUT LOW CRANKING AMPS. IF POSSIBLE TAKE THE CAR TO AN AUTO PARTS STORE IN THE AREA AND HAVE A LOAD TEST RAN ON THE BATTERY, WHILE CRANKING THE ENGINE. IT MAY SOUND LIKE THE THE REQUEST I ASK YOU TO DO IN THE FIRST REPLY, BUT STARTER REMOVAL WITHOUT A FEW SPECIAL TOOLS AND A GOOD WORKING KNOWLEDGE IS TOUGH. IF THE VOLTAGE IS GOOD, I WOULD NOT JUST CHANGE THE SOLENOID, I WOULD CHANGE THE ENTIRE UNIT IT WILL BE CHEAPER IN THE LONG RUN. GOOD LUCK.
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06-30-2003, 03:11 PM
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