Engine back in - now no starter?

[gjmascoli]

Reinstalled engine after replacing air box, refreshing CIS, installed oil fed tensioners, installed SSI and '74 2-in-1-out muffler, triangle of death sealas, etc.

Tried to turn her over (fuel relay still removed) to oil prime the engine per Wayne's new engine run-in procedure, but the starter seems dead.

Starter was fine before the engine drop, although seems original.

The headlights go out when I hold the ignition in the START position. I think that means an internal short in the starter (?).

BUT, I disconnected the starter and the headlights still go out when I hold the key in the start position.

Should I pull the starter and have it tested. Other potential sources of a short? I think I have all the grounds reconnected, like the transmission ground strap and the alternator-to-engine block ground strap. I checked the wiring diagram and I think I had the starter connections correct (Red and Black at terminal 30, Yellow at terminal 50)

Help, we've been in the garage for 12 months :-)

[fanaudical]

Dumb question: Is your battery fully charged with no dead cells?

[mreid]

Not if you disconnect the starter and still have the problem. Did you reconnect your tranny ground strap?

[gjmascoli]

The battery seems OK, and I had the same problem using a jump from another running vehicle.

Yes, the tranny ground strap is commected.

[gjmascoli]

One note on the tranny ground strap........it is the original braided copper type strap and one end was kind of frayed where it connects to the engine block, but I didn't replace it.....

[zedsn]

Have you charged your battery and put a volt meter on it later to see if it has held a charge? Sounds like a battery problem to me even with a jump.

[mreid]

I think you have a battery problem also.

[gjmascoli]

Well.......it is a very old battery and it doesn't hold a charge very well. Last year when I drove her about 300 miles over about a month, I could leave the battery off the trickle charger when I was driving daily, but over the past 12 months, the battery has only been on the trickle.

[gjmascoli]

The battery dies after a couple days if it is off teh trickle charger and car is not driven

[fanaudical]

Hmmm...sounds like you have an internal defect in the battery which doesn't allow full starting current. Do you hear the solenoid go "clunk" when ignition is moved to the 'start' position?

[gjmascoli]

I hear more like a "click" thank a "clunk".

Obviously I can run out and buy a new battery, but at this point I don't know if the problem is
a) battery;
b) starter motor;
c) starter solenoid;
d) ground; or
e) something else.

I hate to just start buying stuff.

Perhaps I should disconnect the old battery, reconnect the starter leads (terminal 30 and 50), and then jump from a running car directly to the "+" and "-" leads, rather than a normal jump with the battery connected. Then the battery in the running car would appear to be the only battery in the circuit and would eliminate question of whther the old battery has defect that is preventing full current?

Thoughts on that?

[allaircooled]

Just take the battery out and have it tested at auto zone or where ever.

[zedsn]

and if the battery checks out good then pull your starter and have it tested as well and din't cost you a dime.

[gjmascoli]

Ah, such wisdom! Will do, thanks!

[mreid]

Your battery's is bad. The starter is fine.

[gjmascoli]

OK, took the battery to parts shop. It failed for CCA at about 350 vs 495 spec.

Bought and installed new battery.....now I get a louder "clunk" when the key is moved to the start position, but starter does not go. Headlights still go out when key is turned to start position.

Removed the starter, will take it into parts shop tomorrow for a check.

Noticed that the starter gear that engages the starter ring slighly snapped back into it's "rest" position after I removed the starter from the transmission housing.

Also, terminal 30 (where the red and black wires connect) has some play back-and-forth. I understand this terminal is potted and perhaps the potting is damaged causing a short?

[mreid]

Can you turn your engine over by hand?

[gjmascoli]

Yes, engine turns by hand no problem

[JJ 911SC]

Originally Posted by gjmascoli

... Headlights still go out when key is turned to start position...

That is normal. Its to ensure that the starter get all the power from the battery (except the clock).

[gjmascoli]

OK, that is good. I thought that was normal, but the Bentley for my BMW 525i says not for the e34.

Taking the start in for a test tonight.