No Crank, No Fuel Pump "Buzz", No Start.

[SkorcherX]

1987 325 with 1992 M50NV (E36 Auto harness).

Car has been running for over a month now. I drove it on the highway for about 45 minutes and then pulled over to let my dog take a shit. After he does his business we packed up and the car no longer starts.

It doesn't crank, I can no longer hear the fuel pump prime. At first you could hear the starter *click* it was very feint though. After trying a few more times the starter no longer made any noises.

I got a "jump" from a local. Still no noises from the starter, and no buzzing from the fuel pump. The battery reads 14.6v so I feel confident that this is not a dead battery scenario.

I have attempted to search around to find a solution. Sounds like I need to check my relays, fuses and grounds today after work. Can anyone offer anything else I need to check or provide a sound method of troubleshooting this issue?

Thanks!

[FLG]

Make sure your battery cables are tight and corrosion free. Corrosion or loose cables can cause funny issues.

Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using Tapatalk 2

[eurosport22]

what about your interior electronics. do the windows work. does it seem like your getting power to the dash and such?

[SkorcherX]

what about your interior electronics. do the windows work. does it seem like your getting power to the dash and such?

Windows roll up and down, and roof lights come on when I open the doors. Instrument cluster lights up with ignition set to ON.

[eurosport22]

I know when I was getting my car running. If I just slapped the bat terminal on carelessly it would t start. That thing needs a nice clean cOnnection. Check your engine grounds too

[e30rapidic]

got any spare relays to swap in?

[SkorcherX]

got any spare relays to swap in?

Tested all the relays. Jumped 12v to them and each one clicked and beeped in the multimeter. They all work. It is not the relays.

I stuck a socket extension on the solenoid and tapped on it with a mallet while my buddy turned the key. If hey kept the key in start and I kept hammering on it, you could hear the starter attempt to turn and engage the flywheel. I do believe that my issue lies in the starter.

I still find it kind of strange that I no longer hear my fuel pump prime, but perhaps it doesn't buzz since It has "primed" it several times and the car has not started...

So perhaps Friday or Saturday I will get dirty and pull the starter and bench test it... See what is happening.

If anyone has any tips to getting the starter out without pulling the intake manifold I am all ears.

[eurosport22]

my fuel pump will prime every now and then when i turn the key on in my s50. but most of the time it doesnt start the relay til it sees engine rpm. Definitely sounds like a starter. as for the starter coming out with the intake on... have fun with that. i gotta re adjust my heater core line a little cuz its still touching just a little and im just gonna bite the bullet and take off the intake.

[SkorcherX]

Confirmed. It is the starter, or at least the solenoid in the starter. Vids posted below.

Old Starter, bench tested.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r9N2lltXK0o

New Starter, bench tested.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BoO3p9YyfxI

Hope perhaps this helps someone down the road.