84 318i no start

[jonnywadster]

So a few weeks ago I traded a clean 87 190e mercedes for this sweet little bmw

http://i1343.photobucket.com/albums/o781/jonnywadster/KIMG0033_2_zpsicpfmitn.jpg

http://i1343.photobucket.com/albums/o781/jonnywadster/KIMG0034_zpsufaggdg9.jpg

It came with a brand new battery and a no start issue, being super clean rust free etc I took on the possible nightmare of a project.

I took the starter out because it didn't crank over, took it to autozone to get tested and it had a clutch issue plus it started smoking/stinking in just a short test time.(looked like the original starter) so I bought a new starter and installed it, the same way the older one was installed.

I might of hooked the starter up wrong I hooked the two larger wires up to one post that already had a loose nut, and I connected the small wire to a connecter that only had 1 possible way to connect it, on the other part of the starter it has 2 possible connection areas.

I hop in the car all the lights work, but the battery light is on and the car doesn't make any noise when I try to crank it over...?
Battery tests at 12.4 etc.

Where would be a good place to start?

[E30SPDFRK]

Check the engine grounds if you're not hearing any noise

[jonnywadster]

Okay thank you I'll check all the grounds tomarrow and clean up the connecting surfaces etc.

[jonnywadster]

Okay so I cleaned up the ground surfaces, replaced one ground still no start...
Also when I jumped the starter/starter solinoid with a screw driver.

it did/made the same exact noise as this starter video, keep in mind this is a brand new starter/battery.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9XfSYXoTd_0

I'm lost, I'm checking all the fuses tomarrow and hoping to hear from one you the e30 guru's on here thanks!!!

[Navarone]

84 318i no start

The starter is not engaging the flywheel in that video. It could be wired backwards and running backwards, (doubtful but I don't know for sure) it could be gummed up and not thrusting out to engage, or the flywheel could be missing teeth in that spot. Find a diagram for the wiring and go from there. A new starter should engage just fine if it's spinning like that. Are you able to dump the clutch on a hill and bump start it? If it's an auto then perhaps crank the engine over with a big wrench to (hopefully) good flywheel teeth and then try the starter again. (And of course take the wench off)

If the old clutch was toast, and this one is engaging the flywheel and spinning on the clutch burning it up then the engine could be seized up.

[jonnywadster]

Okay I've tried all of this, any possibility this could be a problem with the ignition switch?

So as stated above the car still will not crank. Anyone have a picture of how the starter is suppose to wired.

[jonnywadster]

Okay I got it to start, it just won't idle now lol.

[Navarone]

How did you get it to start? What happens when it tries to idle? Can you keep it runnin with a tiny bit of throttle?

[jonnywadster]

I replaced 2 ground wires I can get it to idle now, I believe my idle control valve is a dud so I will be trying the icv delete tomarrow penny trick or whatever.
It idles too high 2-3k but steady I put 40 miles on it today and the car drives really nice other than that.