starter problems, just to confirm

[twistednut]

My son's car starter won't engage and spin from time to time. It will start every time first thing in the morning but if he drives it any distance, he might have to wait an hour or so before it will restart. He just moved to Tempe to attend ASU and I believe the heat of AZ. has made it a consistent problem. He had the problem a couple of times here in OR., on hot days just before he left for AZ., which didn't leave me any time to fix it myself.
If the consensus is that the starter is the problem, is there anyone in the Phoenix area willing to change it out for him? I don't want to dick around with a used starter. I would just buy a reman unit from Autohaus.

[KenC]

Check the K5 and K7 relays. Might be a quick fix.


What engine is it?

[twistednut]

It's a m20 in an 88' 325is

[KenC]

So the starter just spins w/o engaging sometimes? Or does it lose power altogether?

[twistednut]

Acts like it has a completely dead battery. Doesn't even click like a low battery. And of course the battery is in great shape.

[KenC]

I had a similar issue. Have him swap K5 and K7 relays. The e30 ones are purely mechanical and are probably wearing out after 22 years. Cheap posibility to rule out the starter.

[jlevie]

K5 and K7 are the unloader relays, which are controlled by an 88+ starter. They have nothing to do with whether the starter operates.

It the battery is known, by test, to be good and fully charged but doesn't even click when you turn the key to start the cause could be a bad primary power or ground connection, a bad ignition switch, or a bad starter.

[twistednut]

Thanks jlevie. I half ass checked all his connections before he left and as for the ignition switch, I thought that was a possibility but a long shot. The problem just reminded me of driving VW Rabbits back in the mid 80's and having to change out a starter about every six months.
Anybody in Phoenix wanting to help the kid out?