Unsure about problem (no start, unique)

[Kenshai]

So I was driving down a highway doing about 80 then all of a sudden popped out of fifth gear and made a bunch of sounds almost like grinding without clutching while coming out. Pushed the clutch in tried to put it back in gear, ground as soon as I tried to put it in. Slowed down a little bit tried it once more this time into 4th, went in I let off clutch and then all the lights came on and the car stalled. Now it won't start. The starter turns once and then stops. I'm getting the car towed in the morning, I'm just looking for a couple options to check tomorrow.

1989 325is.

[StereoInstaller1]

First guess? Timing belt.

I know, you hope I am wrong. I don't blame you.

Good luck!

Luke

[Kenshai]

I know it's been done in the past 10-15,000 miles. Would the timing belt cause it to kick it out of gear? The motor went to idle no problem after putting it in neutral as I started pulling off the road. I was probably going about 20 or so when the car shut off.

Anything else I should check for?

[jlevie]

The kick out of gear, refusal to go back into 5th, and what happened when you got it in 4th rather sounds a major failure inside of the transmission. That could also explain why the starter won't turn over the engine.

A blown engine could explain the starter issue, but that leaves the transmission issues begging for an explanation.

[StereoInstaller1]

Yeah, I didn't catch that the motor was still running after the crunch/pop thingie.

Clutch self destruct? Flywheel bolts?

[eyagel]

check fluid lately in the tranny?
grinding coming from tranny?

[Kenshai]

I didn't have any grinding previous to this, and checked gear oil a bit ago. What would cause it not to start after this though? Even without clutch safety switch car would still start? That's the part that's throwing me off. I can't start it, haven't had the car too long so I don't know all the quirks about when stuff goes wrong.

Clutch wasn't slipping at all, no grinds, only sometimes going into second or fourth would it grind a bit. Usually that would just startle me I put it back into neutral position then back into gear and no issues. No clunking or anything that I've ever heard.

[StereoInstaller1]

Put it in neutral and push it, see if it rolls.

[Kenshai]

Rolls in neutral as that's what I had it in when coming to a stop, also I pushed it back in fifth to see if I could wind the starter up to see if it would turn more than once.

[StereoInstaller1]

What the hell then...flywheel bolts?

Good luck on it, man.