my E30 suddenly won't start! I'm stranded!

[2.5-12]

I'm writing this on my iPhone sitting in my 1987 325ic, I drove this car 30 miles today over 4 engine starts, the first was leaving home - she started right up, no problem, second was starting after sitting for about 40 minutes, long crank but started. 3rd, hot engine, short trip back to where I was. 4, no start. nothing, I turn the key, nothing. I have 12 volts on the big red wire on the starter, tried neutral and park, neither worked, tried whacking the starter with a pole, nothing.

one thing I can't remember is if I have the car in 'on' it won't show temp or anything. even my brake ligning light doesn't come on. just antilock and battery lights come on, along with the overhead lights.

any thoughts while I wait for the tow truck? lol

I'll be refreshing often :)

[StereoInstaller1]

Pull the cover off the relays on the drivers shock tower...whack the front one with a screwdriver or something

[2.5-12]

swapped and whacked all the under hood relays, ugh. in the tow truck now - my e30 looks so sad

[txtorquemade]

Ah dude. It will be alright. You will sort it out.

[sticksdaman]

Did you check for fuel and spark?

[RickSloan]

sounds like no ground, try jumpers from the oil pan plug to the shock tower

[2.5-12]

sounds like no ground, try jumpers from the oil pan plug to the shock tower

specifically that part? can I just jump shock tower to Intake Manifold?

thanks guys, this happened right after I signed the bill of sale on my newest purchase (89 325iC) lol!

[2.5-12]

Did you check for fuel and spark?

fuel pump relay kicks on, no way to check for spark when the motor doesnt crank

[2.5-12]

Ah dude. It will be alright. You will sort it out.

yeah, just disheartening - first time any car has let me down.

luckily this tow bill is on my insurance company!

[RickSloan]

hook one black cable to the drain plug and the other end of that cable to a shock tower nut. Its grounding the block

but if you have the fuel pump but no spark it sounds like something else. try this tho

[2.5-12]

tried grouding the oil drain plug to the shock tower, nothing.

I listened to the fuel pump and unless its suuuuuper quiet, its not running in key 'on' position

I also tried to take the starter off today, top nut I could get off, the bottom one turns slowly with a torque wrench (with 6 extensions and 2 u-joints) but it never gets any looser -- any ideas?

could it just be an ignition switch? if so -- how do I get to it and how do I test it?

Thanks,
-Erik

[2.5-12]

the bottom nut on the starter is stuck on the bolt pretty well, when I try to loosen the nut, the bolt turns with it and I can not reach the other end of the bolt to attach a socket or a wrench

how do you all switch a starter on an automatic M20 powered E30?

Thanks,
-Erik

[2.5-12]

there are 3 poles on the starter assy. which ones do I give +12 to and which ones do I ground to test the starter?

also, for reference, here is my bottom starter bolt, the nut sticks to the bolt too well and they spin as a unit, not loosening like they should. Can't get it out like this without taking off my transmission which is not an option.

[metalix1021]

Yes, you can. You can take off the intake manifold to get easier access, but I know of others who didnt.

[E30SPDFRK]

Get it from underneath the car. Stick a wrench on it then go back to the top and loosen the nut.