Starter question

[Joey_e30]

On my 325e there’s a positive and a negative wire and there’s one more that I’m not sure of. The tip of that wire broke off. The picture won’t upload. It can be attached but It comes out of the screw easily. What is this peice called?

Also would not having starter bolts prevent the starter from working properly thus not allowing the car to start? I’m waiting on them to come in but I just want to know if that’s a potential reason why? When I try to start it the starter spins only and does attach to anything. Does the starter bolt connect the starter to the crank or does it there just to attach to the car?

[tomstin]

"On my 325e there’s a positive and a negative wire and there’s one more that I’m not sure of" I'll take a shot. You are talking about the wires going to the starter?

There is a heavy cable, typically black, that goes to the big lug (Positive) on the starter. Then there is one, maybe two wires that go together on the solenoid. These activate when you turn the key. They engage the starter drive gear and spin the starter.

The starter will need to be grounded, in order to work. The bolts provide that ground assuming the engine block ground is in place.

[Joey_e30]

"On my 325e there’s a positive and a negative wire and there’s one more that I’m not sure of" I'll take a shot. You are talking about the wires going to the starter?

There is a heavy cable, typically black, that goes to the big lug (Positive) on the starter. Then there is one, maybe two wires that go together on the solenoid. These activate when you turn the key. They engage the starter drive gear and spin the starter.

The starter will need to be grounded, in order to work. The bolts provide that ground assuming the engine block ground is in place.

So by grounded you mean bolted in?

[cscracker]

Correct, the starter is grounded through its body, through the engine block.