OBD1 S52 in '91 318is, no crank, no start

[TheRealE30kidd]

OBD1 S52 with E36 manual harness and 413 red label DME. Car is a 1991 318is. Using an AKG adapter. G260 trans with single mass flywheel and M20 starter.

Plugged everything in, turned key and heard it go "click." S52 does not crank.

Ground for harness is secured to battery tray and engine arm ground is secured to frame rail. All other connections are secured, too.

Stumped. Help!!!

[Farbin Kaiber]

DME ground?

[e30austin]

Does the DME ground itself when it's screwed into the bracket?

[ZekeTheSneak]

give the starter a few taps? The starter itself may be at fault, check power to it and at solenoid when key is turned.

[e30s50dan]

^^^ that's where I'd start..see if you are getting power to the starter

[FredK]

I agree with Zeke. If the car does not crank at all, you need to start with the basics.

Does the engine turn freely? Because some people have run into issues with flywheel to oil pan clearance issues. You can use a 22mm socket and breaker bar to confirm the engine rotates (there will, of course, be the resistance from building compression).

[dashboardmonkey]

I would start with the starter. Did you get that m20 wheel modified to clear oil pan?

[TheRealE30kidd]

I would start with the starter. Did you get that m20 wheel modified to clear oil pan?

It had been shaved before I bought it. I did not notice an issue with it at the time of install.

[Danny]

Is your battery dead?

[e30austin]

Battery is good. Starter was stuck. Does not sound like it is engaging the flywheel.

[cormier]

Test your relays against ETMs

[e30austin]

To elaborate a little more to the last post- tried cranking it and cranking it and kept hearing a *click*, but it started getting slightly more prominent. Finally, after the fifth or so try, the starter got unstuck and finally went *whiiiiiiiiiiirrrr.* Definitely sounded like it wasn't engaging.

Went and got a reman Bosch starter this evening. Hoping this fixes it.

[cormier]

Just to clarify -- you said cranking but that's just key position? You're not getting crank right?

[e30austin]

Just to clarify -- you said cranking but that's just key position? You're not getting crank right?

Correct. My bad.

[TheRealE30kidd]

Installed new started and same problem!!!!! WTF