e30 m20 does not start even with a full battery.

[reallyloudsandwich]

Hey guys so i want your opinions/advice. About half a year ago, my starter went and decided to tuck it away for the winter time. Now that's spring, it's time to bring it out again. Tried cranking the car with the original starter on a fully charged battery, just a click. Headlights, as well as all the other electronics, don't dim at all. Changed the starter last night and this time, when i turn the key, i hear multiple clicks as if the battery is dead. Tried a different battery as well as hooked the jumper cables up to the car via my daily... same thing happens. My friend that has had a good amount of experience with e30's told me it's the engine harness because it seems like all of the electronics work perfectly fine except the starter isn't getting enough power. What do you guys think? Thanks!

[IRON-E]

Check your crank sensor or just replace it.

[e30davie]

16,253 posts and its pretty obvious you didn't read the post.

Clicking starter motor to me suggest that its not wired properly or a loose connection. jsut as your friend suggests. I would be checking to make sure your engine grounds are all in good order. Check your battery terminals are in good condition and are tight. and the cables to your starter are in good shape. A quick scuff up on terminals with a wire brush can work wonders.

[tomstin]

First, verify the battery connections are good. Next, the battery cable connection on the firewall above the battery tray (check voltage there). Then the thick ground cable below the alternator near the base of the oil level check tube. Make sure all those are good. Are the connections to the starter correct?

If you're still stuck, take the starter out and bench test it. Won't be the first time a new defective made it out of the plant.

"decided to tuck it away" Any signs of rodents that may have chewed on some wires?

[IRON-E]

16,253 posts and its pretty obvious you didn't read the post.

caught tldr; and CPS broeh.... it's been a running joke on r3v.

[dnguyen1963]

caught tldr; and CPS broeh.... it's been a running joke on r3v.

So true and I am guilty of this too.

[nrubenstein]

A starter click means inadequate power to the starter. So grounds and 12V supply are what you need to look at first. I’d probably start with the engine ground strap.