Pelican Parts
Parts Catalog Accessories Catalog How To Articles Tech Forums
Call Pelican Parts at 888-280-7799
Shopping Cart Cart | Project List | Order Status | Help



Go Back   Pelican Parts Forums > Miscellaneous and Off Topic Forums > Off Topic Discussions


Reply
 
LinkBack Thread Tools Rate Thread
Author
Thread Post New Thread    Reply
G50 G50 is offline
Registered
 
Join Date: Sep 2009
Posts: 625
BMW E30 starter issue

Lots of random knowledge here, I’ll give this a shot.
‘88 BMW E30 (but I think all mid to late 80’s BMWs, and probably most Euro Bosch DME cara are the same).
When the car gets to full operating temp, esp when it’s hot outside or after a long drive, it won’t start. Turn the key but it won’t crank.
If it cools 20-30 minutes it’ll start right up.
But here’s a twist.
These cars have a diagnostic connector in the engine bay:
https://www.e30zone.net/e30wiki/index.php/Diagnostic_Plug
See picture.
One thing that connector can do is be used to bump the starter. You just connect a jumper wire to the appropriate spots and the starter motor will turn.
So when my car is hot and won’t crank with the key, I can simply leave the key in the “run” position, go under the hood, activate the starter with a jumper wire and it fires right up.
So, obviously doing that is bypassing something that is heat soak sensitive.
Anyone know what that might be?

Old 07-15-2020, 10:20 AM
  Pelican Parts Catalog | Tech Articles | Promos & Specials    Reply With Quote #1 (permalink)
G50 G50 is offline
Registered
 
Join Date: Sep 2009
Posts: 625


Pic of the diagnostic port. Looks like someone has the same issue as me and has put white paint on the 2 spots that need to be jumped to operate the starter.
Old 07-15-2020, 10:22 AM
  Pelican Parts Catalog | Tech Articles | Promos & Specials    Reply With Quote #2 (permalink)
Still Doin Time
 
asphaltgambler's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: Nokesville, Va.
Posts: 8,225
It may be starter relay has high resistance at the contacts. It's near the engine fuse box. I would recommend some basic testing to drill down the hot soak issue.
__________________
'15 Dodge - 'Dango R/T Hauls groceries and Kinda Hauls *ss
'07 Jeep SRT-8 - Hauls groceries and Hauls *ss Sold
'85 Guards Red Targa - Almost finished after 17 years
'95 Road King w/117ci - No time to ride, see above
'77 Sportster Pro-Street Drag Bike w/93ci - Sold
Old 07-15-2020, 10:50 AM
  Pelican Parts Catalog | Tech Articles | Promos & Specials    Reply With Quote #3 (permalink)
G50 G50 is offline
Registered
 
Join Date: Sep 2009
Posts: 625

Old 07-15-2020, 10:50 AM
  Pelican Parts Catalog | Tech Articles | Promos & Specials    Reply With Quote #4 (permalink)
Reply


 


All times are GMT -8. The time now is 03:24 PM.


 
Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.7
Copyright ©2000 - 2025, vBulletin Solutions, Inc.
Search Engine Optimization by vBSEO 3.6.0
Copyright 2025 Pelican Parts, LLC - Posts may be archived for display on the Pelican Parts Website -    DMCA Registered Agent Contact Page
 

DTO Garage Plus vBulletin Plugins by Drive Thru Online, Inc.