Car won't crank. Why?

[NotColtonOrr]

Continued from this...

http://www.r3vlimited.com/board/showthread.php?t=226670

Car still wont crank. Thought it was the starter. Got a new one. Still nothing. I don't know where to go from here. If anyone could point me in the right direction as to where I should start troubleshooting that would be greatly appreciated. Car is an 88 325is.

Parts I replaced:

- Starter
- Timing Belt
- Water pump
- All accessory belts
- Spark plugs
- Plenty of gaskets
- Main relay

[DaveSmed]

Is this car an automatic? Does it show evidence of being fitted with an aftermarket alarm at some point?

[jlevie]

The first check at this point is to see if power is present at the solenoid control lead from the ignition switch when the key is turned to start. From memory that is a black wire with a yellow stripe, but check the ETM to verify. If that check (under the steering column) shows power, repeat the check at the starter solenoid. If you have power there, the main power connection to the starter could be bad, the engine to chassis ground could be bad, or the starter could be bad. If you see solenoid control power at starter something between the starter and ignition switch is interrupting the circuit.

[German Audio Specialties]

Hey Colton, drop the panel under the dash and snap a couple pics, post them up here.

Dave as usual is onto something here, you may be fighting a shitty alarm install.

Luke

[NotColtonOrr]

Is this car an automatic? Does it show evidence of being fitted with an aftermarket alarm at some point?

Its manual but it did have an aftermarket alarm when I first bought it.

Hey Colton, drop the panel under the dash and snap a couple pics, post them up here.

I'll go take some pics right now, thanks.

[NotColtonOrr]

This wire wasn't connected to anything under the dash



Neither was this one



And should I be concerned about this? underneath the ashtray.

[NotColtonOrr]

I'm not completely ruling out that an aftermarket alarm that was previously installed is causing these problems but I should note that the car ran fine for a few months after the alarm was removed. One day when putting my interior back together, 2 of the wires underneath the ashtray touched and caused a small spark. It blew a fuse so i replaced it. Then the car just wouldn't start or even crank and thats where i'm at with the situation.

[DaveSmed]

And should I be concerned about this? underneath the ashtray.

Jackpot.

Stick the green/yellow and green/black wires together and give it a shot.

[DaveSmed]

Also if you would like a less ghetto solution...


Under the dash, look for a relay with a large black and black/yellow wire going to it, and smaller green/black and brown wires.

Follow the black/yellow wire back to the connector, and unplug it. Do the same with the black wire, that one will go into a connector with multiple wires.

Take the black/yellow wire that the black wire was connected to, and connect that to the big connector. This takes the relay that prevents your car from starting out of the picture. Pop it out and keep it as a spare.

Now disconnect the green/yellow and green/black wires in the console. Connect the green/yellow back up to that green/white wire, and leave green/black disconnected.

Your cruise control might work again! Also, my crystal ball tells me your VIN starts out WBA1123....

[jeffnhiscars]

....Also, my crystal ball tells me your VIN starts out WBA1123....

Now I am truly impressed

[DaveSmed]

Now I am truly impressed

That "2" is the key digit. ;)

[German Audio Specialties]

Dave FTMFW.

[NotColtonOrr]

Car started! I'm so damn excited. Thanks to everyone that helped and most specifically Dave. I connected those two wires and it started up no problem. Once again, I really appreciate all the help guys.

[DaveSmed]

Car started! I'm so damn excited. Thanks to everyone that helped and most specifically Dave. I connected those two wires and it started up no problem. Once again, I really appreciate all the help guys.

Anytime :up:

Dave FTMFW.

I gotta get my ass out to Washington, met the man, myth and legend and check the new shop out one of these times.

Hmm, two weeks of vacation, one to drive out for the picnic, one to drive back... Could work!