Starter problem

[lukasbmw]

I'm currently running an m50 engine with an m20 flywheel and clutch and a ZF E36 M3 tranny.

My starter (stock 88 325is) was starting to go out so I figured I would have it replaced.

Problem 1: The wholesale company sent me the wrong starter.

Problem 2: The starter the shop ordered did not work

Problem 3: The second starter the shop ordered also does not work.

The shop did order the correct starters as they are identical to the one removed. However, for some reason the new starters will not engage the flywheel. Neither I or the shop can figure out why.

We had a concern that because I was using the m20 flywheel and clutch on an m50 engine and E36 M3 tranny, the teeth were not matching up, but this should not be an issue considering my old starter worked fine (except for the fact it was slowly going bad) and the new starters are exactly the same starter.

Any ideas? Both I and the shop are stumped.

[NickP]

I'm running almost the same setup - 1987 325is flywheel / starter...
I would suggest grounding the starter to see if it helps things.

[rs4pro3]

My friend had a problem with starters like this he got them from autozone the third start finally worked, they did the same thing the starter would not but the gear would not slide foward and engage the flywheel. This was on a Golf and not an e30.