Motor wont start, it is clicking

[motorsports_3]

Got it figured out. I was missing the power wire to the starter. Thanks Matt

[Jean]

Ummmm so you tried to start it while still having what looks like disconnected ground and power leads?? lolz

[motorsports_3]

I dont know why that is so funny since most of those wire seem to be unused. So if it started then my theory was correct. If my memory serves me right, the last two that I asked about are to power the e36 fuse box, if that is the case, they are unused. The only one that I really dont know if the first picture, which I think was for the e30 starter, and I would no longer need it. Inatead of connecting them, I would like to make sure what they are. Thanks for your help.

[Adrian_Visser]

Seriously dude? I mean big wires like that aren't really something you want to guess at.

[motorsports_3]

Seriously dude? I mean big wires like that aren't really something you want to guess at.

I know, thats why I dont want to connect them. Some of them are positive but look negative. Most of those I am pretty sure are unused, I just need to clean up the harness since I took it directly out of the donor car. Everything that should be hooked seems to be.

[7pilot]

:ohsnap:Home work. It seems like you're misunderstanding how the wiring in a car works.

You have the E30 chassis loom that needs power.
You have the E36 engine loom which needs power.
The E34/6 loom has 2 large cables. Actually it is one large cable that splits into two. One of the split cables is not needed.
Then to complete a power circuit, you must haz grounds.
Tip....One of the good sized 8-10 ga black cables is NOT a ground.
You may wish to study the ETM for your engine loom before you burn the sucker to the ground....Just saying:)
Good luck.

m

[motorsports_3]

I dont get it, then why is the starter clicking but not turning over? That is my concern.

Could you tell me which of those e36 large ones which are used and not, and where the used one goes?

I will check all of my grounds today.

And that cable which you said is not a ground, it that black one in my first pic, correct? Do you know where that goes?

[motorsports_3]

I looked at an e36 today and the wire in the last picture connects to the power supply box, the large diameter wire with the red heat shrink.

On the pics before that the two wires near the relays, if I am correct, one connects to the e36 fusebox, which is no longer used, and one connects to the starter.

Please lmk if this is right.

[MattM]

your starter is not getting sufficent power, the click you hear is the solinoid opening, but theres not enough juice flowing past it to turn the starter motor.

How many grounds do you have connected and where?

how many positive wires do you have connected to the B post?(that are actually hooked up)

when i did my swap i only had 1 extra wire, and that was the E34 power that would go to the fuse box, and the E30 already had this wire.

the pics dont show us much, we need to see where they come from to tell you where they go... those 2 in the picture of the relay do look like wires that should go to the starter. How many wires are hooked up to the starter?