Starter not spining

[g22]

Okay people I'm attempting to start my car for the first time and can't get past the starter not working... When I turn the key to the first position I can hear the starter making the soft constant clicking. I turn the key to start and i get one loud click as if the battery was dead and nothing. It does not spin.

Details

'89 325i chassis
M50 single vanos
G260 Trans
'89 325i flywheel and starter

Things I've done

1. Double checked the wires are correctly placed on the starter
2. Checked the battery voltage and used another battery from a car that was driven to my house today.
3. Manually rotated the engine from the crank in the front and did not hear any scraping or unusual resistance.
4. When I put the flywheel on made sure that it did not hit the oil pan
5. Wacked the starter with a hammer

What am I doing wrong? What else to check?

[g22]

I got it figured out. Mods you can delete.

[apexhead]

You could at least tell us what it was...

[kevmo707]

I have the same problem!!!! What did you do to fix it!!

[g22]

I have the same problem!!!! What did you do to fix it!!

You have a PM

[m_dudey]

updates? other people might have the same problem!

[Beej '86 325es]

I had a similar issue. I went as far as replacing the starter until I decided to check my chassis ground.

[thereisnoyun]

there is a pin hole on teh solenoid that you can use a pick to push on, sometimes the solenoid is just out of engagement. When I rebuild my started, I put it in and it didnt go... I almost had a heart attack. but it turns out to be just something silly.

[m_dudey]

when people talk about grounding the valve cover

[x] Valve cover grounded at passenger rear corner, using e30 strap

is this the ground strap for the coil to the valve cover? or is there another ground strap that grounds the valve cover to the chasis or block?

[Lof8]

hey g22, give us an update. Posting up your solution might be helpful to others. I'm having intermittent starter problems with my swap.

[7pilot]

hey g22, give us an update. Posting up your solution might be helpful to others. I'm having intermittent starter problems with my swap.

He forgot to hook up the BiiiG red wire....;) :D

m

[g22]

sorry for the delay. Pretty simple, two of the wires in my harness were cut so I didn't have them in the right places.