1991 318is engine ground wire issues

[NiteRider11]

So I installed a new m4w engine in my e30 and all was running smooth. Yesterday started having some troubles starting thought it was the battery but charged it and checked it. I messed with the ground wire and saw it was a little loose where it bolts to the engine mounting bracket and got it to start.

When I got home I unhooked the ground and added a washer to get a tight connection but now it won't start at all, lights on but no clicking.

Any ideas? Should I get rid of the washer, could the type of metal it is be a problem? Anyone else have any ideas if it could be something else

[Dj Buttchug]

put it back the way it was. the washer you put in place may be causing the connection to be bad.

Also with m42 its a good idea to make some ground wires and install them in various places around the engine bay. Attach the ground wires some place on the head and the block. this will help with electrolysis. good luck

[Ryann]

Attach the ground wires some place on the head and the block. this will help with electrolysis. good luck

This is GREAT advice. It'll also help with the reliability/performance of any electrical components that use the head and block for their ground, like coolant temp. sensors or spark plugs.

Your issue could also be hidden corrosion between the cable and the cable end causing it to completely loose continuity after you messed with it.

[NiteRider11]

thanks guys, yea i figured it must be the washer but when i tried to take it off the bolt stripped, that is the most pain in the ass spot for a ground wire. i went ahead and added two more in different spots and starts up just fine now.

[Nairb]

I am having this same problem, except I did not add or do anything..

Yesterday I went to the gym.. car started and acted normally. I got back home, parked it.. waited inside the house for about 30 minutes.. had to head back out, car would not start.

All the lights came on, radio on.. it would not "click" to start the car.. I assumed it's the ground wires, but the only 2 I know are on the battery and the one in the engine bay by the m42 engine wires. I also took a look at the ground on the started, and it looked fine (not corroded.)

Any suggestions?

[NiteRider11]

Nairb - there are a few others also. Check and see if they are loose at all. You can also do what I did and make a new ground from the block to somewhere on the frame

[Nairb]

Checked the contacts.. tried to arch the starter and only the motor in the starter engaged.. it did not start the car. I'm thinking it's the starter solenoid.

[fiftytakedowns]

Whats teh part number for the block to subframe ground strap?

[romeomike]

This might be the one, especially if it's about 15 inches in length:

12-42-1-737-755