Home | Contact Us | FAQ | Search & Site Map | Link to Us
Sign In | Join | Other 45 Sites in Network
HomeAnnouncements
Discussion Groups
By Brand
BMWChevroletDodgeFordGMHondaLexusMercedes-BenzNissanPeugeotToyotaVolkswagenOther Brands
By Topic
4x4 CarsRVsDrivingMaintenance & RepairCar AudioCollectible Cars
Country Specific
Australian ForumsUK Forums
ArticlesAuto InsuranceBuyingCars & TechnologyMaintenanceMiscellaneousSafety
DMV Resources
Related Topics
MotorcyclesBoatsMore Topics ...

Car Forum / Driving, Maintenance, Tuning / Maintenance and Repair / May 2007

Tip: Looking for answers? Try searching our database.

1993 BMW 325is Starting problem

Thread view: 
Enable EMail Alerts  Start New Thread
Thread rating: 
blach_luminari@yahoo.com - 13 May 2007 03:16 GMT
Hi,

I hope someone can help. I recently replaced my starter after it
started to grind. Apparently I was given the wrong one the last time I
replaced it a few weeks ago. After I installed the new starter, I went
to start the vehicle and although the engine was turning, the car
failed to start. I tried a few more times and the car started right up
without a problem. I turned it off and on a few times and noticed that
it seemed like the battery was weak. All the lights were working but
it felt sluggish to start. There was no grinding coming from the
starter, in fact it sounded great. I let the car sit for a few minutes
in idle. Suddenly the alternator began to screetch in a loud manner,
something which the car had never done before. I turned off the car
and then tried to turn it on again...after that I got nothing. I get
power all throughout the car mirrors, windows, lights, but the engine
won't turn. When I turn the key I don't even get a click, there is no
sound whatsoever. I hear the fuel pump but the engine won't turn. I
checked the fuses and they all seem fine. I didn't test the relays
though? The battery was bought new only 3 months ago. The strange
thing is that when I turn the key to start the car the lights remain
the same, it's as though turning the key to start the car has no
effect. I checked the cables and everything is tight. Has anyone else
had this problem? Any help anyone can provide would be great.

Thanks in advance.

D
Jackson - 13 May 2007 07:31 GMT
>Hi,
>
[quoted text clipped - 23 lines]
>
>D

Have you load tested the battery? If it passes you should be checking
your alternator's voltage and current.

--
Jackson
Scott Dorsey - 13 May 2007 16:56 GMT
>I hope someone can help. I recently replaced my starter after it
>started to grind. Apparently I was given the wrong one the last time I
>replaced it a few weeks ago. After I installed the new starter, I went
>to start the vehicle and although the engine was turning, the car
>failed to start.

Was the engine turning, or was the starter spinning without actually
engaging the engine?   Did you notice the tach?

>I tried a few more times and the car started right up
>without a problem. I turned it off and on a few times and noticed that
>it seemed like the battery was weak. All the lights were working but
>it felt sluggish to start.

Well, sure the battery was weak, after you spent all that time running
the starter.  What you describe is the typical symptom of a starter with
a bad Bendix which is not engaging (or a flywheel with a bad spot in it).

>There was no grinding coming from the
>starter, in fact it sounded great. I let the car sit for a few minutes
>in idle. Suddenly the alternator began to screetch in a loud manner,
>something which the car had never done before. I turned off the car
>and then tried to turn it on again...after that I got nothing.

That wasn't the alternator screeching.  That was the starter.   This time
the starter didn't DISENGAGE, and it was continuing to stay engaged as
the engine was idling.  It's not designed to turn so fast, and after a
short while, it blew up.

>I get
>power all throughout the car mirrors, windows, lights, but the engine
[quoted text clipped - 6 lines]
>effect. I checked the cables and everything is tight. Has anyone else
>had this problem? Any help anyone can provide would be great.

Was this a cheap chain store rebuild, or was this an original Bosch part
from the dealer?  Pull the starter off, check the flywheel to make sure
you didn't wreck it in the process, then push-start the car and take it
to wherever you bought the starter from and demand your money back.  If
you wrecked the flywheel in the process, don't expect they'll pay for it,
though.
--scott
Signature

"C'est un Nagra.  C'est suisse, et tres, tres precis."

 
Sign In
Join
My Latest Posts
My Monitored Threads
My Blog
My Photo Gallery
My Profile
My Homepage

Start New Thread
Enable EMail Alerts
Rate this Thread



©2008 Advenet LLC   Privacy Policy - Terms of Use
This website includes both content owned or controlled by Advenet as well as content owned or controlled by third parties.