Starter not working, loud whine when battery is connected

[plusnone]

Yesterday I started my 1987 325 up, and after starting there was a loud whine coming from the engine. I immediately shut it off, but the whine continued. I traced it to the driver's side rear of the engine compartment, where the starter is located (correct?). I was running late, so I disconnected the battery cable and used a different car. When I connected the cable later, the noise continued, and I was unable to start the car.

I'm new to BMWs, and to working on cars in general, so I would appreciate some help. First of all, is it indeed (as my mechanic said) the solenoid which is making that noise? If so, how do I remove the solenoid/starter in order to have it repaired or to replace it? I have ordered the Bentley manual, but if possible I would like to fix this problem as soon as possible, because my family is now short one car.

Thank you
-plusnone

[Jon325i]

From how you describe things, I would suggest checking out the starter first. Was the starter giving you any early warnings of impending failure? If turns out to be the starter and it needs to be replaced, its located on top of the bellhousing, driver's side.....attached by two bolts. All the wires connected to it point towards the front of the car. Getting to this hardware isn't easy, but with your dad being a mechanic, I'm sure he has some trick tools to make the job go by without too much drama.

Definately buy yourself a Bentleys manual. Good reference guide.

Jon

[plusnone]

Thanks for your reply. Could you be a bit more specific in explaining how to get the starter out? I would greatly appreciate it. As to early warning signs, I have had some small problems with the starter. Usually it starts right, up, with perhaps a few seconds of churning before the engine turns over. However, when I go to start it up after school every day, it almost always takes a while longer before the engine turns over, up to ~15-20 seconds. Nonetheless, I've never had the car not start before the other day.

Unfortunately, my dad is not a mechanic. He, however, is paying for the repairs, and would rather that I spend the least amount of money possible. I'm sure that the Bentley manual will answer many of my questions, but until it arrives, I would appreciate any help I can get from this community.

Am I correct in thinking that the starter is the black disk-like piece, located on the top of the engine compartment, in the rear, driver's side? As to the two bolts which you mentioned, I saw two bolts mounting the abovementioned black cylinder to a bracket, located directly beneath the brake fluid resivoir. They seem difficult to remove, because of the resivoir in the way. Is that what you're talking about, or is there something else that I'm missing?

[chrisd]

Am I correct in thinking that the starter is the black disk-like piece, located on the top of the engine compartment, in the rear, driver's side? As to the two bolts which you mentioned, I saw two bolts mounting the abovementioned black cylinder to a bracket, located directly beneath the brake fluid resivoir. They seem difficult to remove, because of the resivoir in the way. Is that what you're talking about, or is there something else that I'm missing?

That is actually the brake booster. The starter is down even lower and is, as you think, at the rear of the motor. I believe that you get to it easier from under the car.

Let me say this loud and clear:

IF YOU ASK QUESTIONS THAT ARE CLEARLY COVERED BY THE BENTLEY BOOK, YOU WILL GET FLAMED. AND YOU WILL DESERVE IT. GO BUY ONE.

It'll be the best $40 you ever spent. Mine has saved me at least $1500 so far. I have done a shitload of work to the car, and even though I have no garage, I can get a lot done in the driveway. go here: eap4parts.com/en-us/dept_9.html

[plusnone]

OK, thank you for explaining what that is, I'm glad I didn't remove it. I apologize for asking questions which are covered in the Bentley manual; I have ordered a copy, but need my car running soon, and the shipping is taking a while.

Would you recommend that I simply have a mechanic remove the starter, seeing as I don't know where it is even located? Or, alternatively, could you direct me to a website which would explain how to remove it?

Thanks for your help. I'll refrain from asking questions which would be covered by Bentley.

-Reed

[DaN]

Yes, if you don't know where the starter is located and don't see how to remove it, have a professional do it.
One of the bolts is easy to get out, but the other is kind of a pain, it may take some long extentsions and a swivel socket.

[chrisd]

OK, thank you for explaining what that is, I'm glad I didn't remove it. I apologize for asking questions which are covered in the Bentley manual; I have ordered a copy, but need my car running soon, and the shipping is taking a while.
Would you recommend that I simply have a mechanic remove the starter, seeing as I don't know where it is even located? Or, alternatively, could you direct me to a website which would explain how to remove it?
Thanks for your help. I'll refrain from asking questions which would be covered by Bentley.
-Reed

Good job on getting a bentley. I will forevermore refrain from hassling you about questions. :)
For right now, I would take the sucker to a shop while it still drives.

[Giorgio]

if you desperatly need a car to drive you could keep a long pole in your trunk, and everytime you start up the car (takes two people) have someone bang the starter until it catches (you really have to give it a hard bang sometimes), you will have a running car until you turn it off.