m20 no start (no crank, battery good). please help if you can!!

[purpledawg]

Hey ya'll I've got an 87 325i that isn't starting. No crank, I turn the key and nothing. Battery is fine and the terminals are connected good, I replaced the ignition switch and that wasn't it, just replaced the starter (gnarly job) and that unfortunately didn't fix it. Still nothing when I turn the key. Stereo, lights, ICV, electric fan all turn on when I turn they key to ignition2 like normal. Ground wire is solid and attached well and to my knowledge all the relays and fuses are good. Feeling pretty lost at this point and I would really appreciate some knowledge and advice!! I have been determined to do all the work on my car myself but I am regretfully getting to the point of taking it to a shop - would love to conquer it myself though!! Thanks r3v fam

[tomstin]

Let's get back to basics, when did the no start condition begin? Car has been sitting? New project? Engine out?

Do you have 12 volts at the starter main cable? Do you get 12 volts at the smaller cable on the starter when you try to crank it? Is the smaller cable on the correct lug?

On my 85, the main battery cable from the battery has a connector above the under hood battery tray with several connectors. Do you have 12 volts there? Connections clean? And, as I recall, the starter cable connects there.

On the "i" engines, there is a major connector under the intake, above the starter, history of the wires in that connector corroding. It requires separating the connector, inspecting and cleaning the pins and sockets.

[purpledawg]

Let's get back to basics, when did the no start condition begin? Car has been sitting? New project? Engine out?

Do you have 12 volts at the starter main cable? Do you get 12 volts at the smaller cable on the starter when you try to crank it? Is the smaller cable on the correct lug?

On my 85, the main battery cable from the battery has a connector above the under hood battery tray with several connectors. Do you have 12 volts there? Connections clean? And, as I recall, the starter cable connects there.

On the "i" engines, there is a major connector under the intake, above the starter, history of the wires in that connector corroding. It requires separating the connector, inspecting and cleaning the pins and sockets.

So it started happening out of nowhere. Was driving my car and it was running great, parked it in the driveway, came out an hour later to go to the store and nothing. I've had the car for 2 years now, engine hasnt been out but I've done a fair amount of work to the car in my ownership. I've got 12v at the starter cable and everything is where it needs to be as far as I can tell. This connector you mentioned, could you give me a little more info (or point me to somewhere I can find info)? This is new territory for me. Thanks for the response!

[tomstin]

C191 connector:

https://www.google.com/search?q=bmw+e30+c191+connector&rlz=1C1LENP_enUS516US516&ei=0KtlYP72M5u4tQaYjqyQDw&oq=bmw+e30+c191&gs_lcp=Cgdnd3Mtd2l6EAEYADICCAA6BwgAEEcQsANQq7cFWOG5BWCxzgVoAXACeACAAV6IAYMCkgEBM5gBAKABAaoBB2d3cy13aXrIAQjAAQE&sclient=gws-wiz

[ADEN]

Try the old way and get the starter to engage manually put key on ign. jump the hot 12+ nut with start nut using a 12 mm spanner or any metal if car starts dig in the starter wiring for open connection.
Ignition switch is a problem in e30 i changed 3 of them in 6 years they fail and i had to turn harder to start the car.