so my car wont start.. but wait!

[AL GReeNeRy]

noooo not another one of those damn threads!

i know theres a bunch of nostart threads on here, but mines unique..

car: 1991 318is
swap: 92' m50 nv w/ getrag 240 and m20 machined flywheel/clutch

so heres the deal, it works. the swap was successful and i can drive my car just about anywhere. BUT it seems like theres a ghost haunting me. when my car sits for a few minutes, it wont start up. the starter clicks but it wont crank. if i push start the car itll start right up. once it starts and i shut it down, itll start up as many times as i want after that; EXCEPT if it sits for a while. then ill have to push start it to get it started again. i have a red top optima battery with 800cca. ive charged it and have even tried jump starting the car, but the only thing that gets it running is a push start. im soo frustrated.. wtf!!!!!!

[E30SPDFRK]

Does the starter engage the engine when it isn't starting?

[AL GReeNeRy]

no. when it wont start, it clicks but it wont crank! after the car is driven, i can start it 5 times in a row if i want but after a few minutes, it wont crank!

[dpgrand]

sounds like a bum battery to me... but you say you've checked that....

[Mako18]

deff check the battery and connections after that...........

I had a similar issue with a friends Mr2 and my Supra after alot of searching for electrical issues/bugs we both solved the problem with a new starter the soleniod was buggin. Your push start confirms the soleniod is on its way out thats my guess.


If it makes a "cccc-click noise" (kinda like when you have a dead batt) this doesn't meen the soleniod is strong enough to kick the starter so don't let someone tell you "if it clicks its good".

my

[AL GReeNeRy]

oh yea neglected to mention, brand new oem m20 bosch starter straight from bma. still could be a bum starter but i think its something else..

i was thinkin the battery as well, but i charged it.. ill buy a new one tomorrow and see what happens.

[jakeb]

Flat spot in the starter? I had an 02 that would do that once and awhile, rock the car when it happens in gear and then it would start. Who knows why but... maybe it got the starter to move just a bit and get it off the flat spot.

[Mako18]

There are only so many things it could be...hmmmmm are there any other symptoms?

[SpecM]

Flat spot in the starter? I had an 02 that would do that once and awhile, rock the car when it happens in gear and then it would start. Who knows why but... maybe it got the starter to move just a bit and get it off the flat spot.

I agree, a "burnt" or "flat" spot on the starter windings could cause it to have an intermittant cranking issue.

[golde30]

optima batterys are crap. super crap. uber crap. also they cannot be charged like normal batteries without being damaged. i went through 3 redtops in the course of 2yrs in my e30. my interstate battery however, sat for 6 months, then started rite up, no problems in 2yrs.

[dpgrand]

you try a new battery yet?

[92 mtechnic cabrio]

optima batterys are crap. super crap. uber crap. also they cannot be charged like normal batteries without being damaged. i went through 3 redtops in the course of 2yrs in my e30. my interstate battery however, sat for 6 months, then started rite up, no problems in 2yrs.

shrug, I've had my optima for two years now, no problems at all

[SpecM]

Get is started and drive it to an Advance Auto... they will test the battery for free.

[hoveringuy]

My money is on the starter bendix. It's getting hot and expanding which keeps the solenoid from engaging it.

[Farbin Kaiber]

My money is on the starter bendix. It's getting hot and expanding which keeps the solenoid from engaging it.

It will not start when cold. Not a hot start issue.