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Please help, car refuses to crank....

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    Please help, car refuses to crank....

    I am stuck and i can't figure it out, please read and help.

    Background:

    I am building an 87' 325i. I Built a 2.7L stroker using the eta bottom end and everything else from the "i" motor. ]Car was an auto and i am swapping in a getrag 260 5spd also. The 5 speed came from a 325i, so the motor has an "i" flywheel and "i" starter, i figured they should match up versus using the "e" starter.....

    I bypassed the neutral safety switch at the relay connecting the black/yellow wire with the black wire. I tried the other way with the wires at the neutral safety switch but had the same results.

    The Problem:

    I turn the key, and the starter solenoid clicks, the gear moves forward, and nothing happens but the lights dim. i've tried it with a good battery, booster cables, a booster box, u name it. I release the key and i hear the gear retract into the starter. Motor turns fine by hand, no hang ups or anything unusual...thinking i should pull the plugs and try to see if it spins with the starter. I removed the starter and took it to advance and had them test it. It worked perfectly. It spun and was pulling the correct amount of amperage. So i reinstalled it and removed the engine ground cable. cleaned all contacts, cable is in good condition, no cracks in casing or anything. Reinstall and the same issue, i do not have the drive shaft in or connected, i don't know if that has something to do with it, is there a ground on the rear? it seems as if there is a bad ground somewhere, but where could it be? if the solenoid is working then the power is working, right? I'm at a loss and have no clue where to start, i went over the etk and i went over the entire starting system, if anyone has any ideas please let me know, i am desperate to get this going.

    Thanks.

    #2
    I would still suspect the starter motor
    1989 cirrisblau-metallic 325i

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      #3
      is your crankshaft and cam shaft position sensors hooked up ?? is the motor turning over just not running ??

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        #4
        everything is hooked up, the car is not turning over. Any ideas? I;m thinking just replace the starter too, but don;t want to drop the coin if i don;t have to.

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          #5
          bump! Anyone!!!!

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            #6
            I'm with SpecM, sounds like your starter. IIRC, when they check it at the store, its got no load on it, so it spins like it should. But in the car, its got the pressure of the engine to overcome, so if the motor windings are weak, it wont turn

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              #7
              are all the wires tight? with clean connections also make sure that the ground cables are nice and clean and not overly corroded check the really simple stuff first before swapping expensive parts

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                #8
                If the engine turns over by hand, replace the starter.

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                  #9
                  Use a meter to check the voltage at the starter main lug when you try to crank the engine. It should be within a tenth of battery voltage. Also check the voltage between the starter body and battery ground post. That should within a tenth or so of zero.

                  If the voltage between the starter body and battery ground is large. There is a problem in the ground circuit.

                  If the voltage at the starter main lug drops significantly, either there is a poor connection in the primary power circuit or the battery is bad. A check of voltage across the battery will tell which problem you have.

                  If the voltages are normal and the battery is charged at least 75% (12.4v), the starter is bad.
                  The car makes it possible, but the driver makes it happen.
                  Jim Levie, Huntsville, AL

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                    #10
                    bad ground?
                    I'd rather bag your mom than my car :D

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