uh oh.. weird noise leading to car not starting

[volta06]

Sorry for the foreboding, vague title, but here is my story:

I get in my car today nd start it up to go to my girlfriend's place. Right when I start it, I notice this somewhat loud rattling, whining noise. It almost sounded as if a fan was going and something was rattling around in an electric motor. Probably not the case, but that is what it sounded like.

Anyways, the engine worked fine, didn't run any hotter than normal, but the fan/heat in my car would not work. Then, I notice that the windows won't role down. So, I start to think that something went wrong electrically. However, the radio/cd player and displays still worked fine. This noise continued the entire 10 minutes of driving.

Once I shut the car down, I tried to start it up again, but to no avail. I turned the key but absolutely nothing happened. The starter motor didn't even try to turn the engine over. Definitely something electrical, but I have no clue what it could be. Any suggestions? Am I screwed?

[volta06]

Sorry, forgot to state that its a 87 325is! Thanks

[DaveSmed]

My condolences on the departure of your starter.

[volta06]

ugh... really? Would that lead to all of the other strange 'power-outs' (i.e. windows and fan not working)? How much does a new starter run for? Thanks for the help

[kowalski]

does your radio still turn on?

[volta06]

Ya, radio and cd player still worked. The antenna even retracted and extended. Fuse maybe?

[mrsleeve]

My condolences on the departure of your starter.

x2

Your stater never disengaged after the engined fired, the motor may have stopped when so it was free wheeling but the stater gear never retracted and stayed engaged on the fly wheel. Have fun changing it the top bolts are a pain in the ass. If its a 5spd car just park on a hill all the time or get help to push start it every time.

[volta06]

haha.. that could be interesting. That's two for the starter, and it definitely sounded like that. But would that effect the other selective electronics, like I mentioned?

[E30_fiend]

just a thought,

if your alternator goes out it can lead to some really weird electronic problems. Since your only back up source after the alternator is the battery, it decides what it wants to run and what it doesnt want to run. So this could be the problem that started it all. Alternator takes a shit and the battery decides not to disengage the starter, then all shit goes down hill. Also, your car not starting is a good indicator that your battery was powering your car for a while, thus sucking it dry and no start.

check the alternator out and see if the battery is keeping charge.


hope that helps.


E30Fiend

[volta06]

Hmm, I will definitely check that as well. It makes more sense to me since I had other electrical gremlins as well. With a dead starter, I know that I can drive it safely, but with a dead alternator.. is attempting to drive a no go? My shop I usually go to is about an hour or so away and would hate to have to tow it.

[E30_fiend]

I'd say its definitely a no go on driving. I mean all it will do is die on you if it is the alternator because the battery will eventually give in and you will be stuck. There is no bump starting with a dead battery and dead alternator.

Just find somebody with a battery voltage tester and see if your battery can hold voltage under load. If you do get it bump started, then you can test the alternator. Hook the voltage tester up again and if the battery drains or fall below like 10 volts or keeps falling, trash the alternator and the battery.


E30Fiend

[volta06]

Ok, I guess I will have to do that. Thanks for the help. Hopefully it's nothing too serious. Are alternators difficult to replace, if it comes to that?

[E30_fiend]

Ok, I guess I will have to do that. Thanks for the help. Hopefully it's nothing too serious. Are alternators difficult to replace, if it comes to that?

not at all. To make it easy on yourself, cut the belt to the alternator before so you dont have to work around it, then just buy a new one.

have fun and good lick.


E30Fiend

[DaveSmed]

Uhm, its prob not his alternator, given all of the problems he mentioned are in fact tied into the starter.


The HVAC, power windows, and power sunroof (maybe rear defogger too, I forget) are powered through two unloader relays which want to see a ground through the starter solenoid windings. They ARE in fact related failures oddly enough.


Given your description, the starter sounds really broken too. You should be fine push-starting however, as I would not suspect the alternator.

If you push start the car and it still makes that whining noise, I wouldn't drive it without first whacking the starter with a hammer while running to try and retract the bendix. It isn't really meant to turn that fast.....

[volta06]

Ok, so if it was the starter. I should be able to push start it (good thing I am parked going downhill) The power windows and sunroof did not work, and I did hear a whining noise. So, maybe the started didn't engage.

But... if I can't jump start it, it's most likely the alternator? That's the two theories as of now. Unfortunately, I am not very well versed in car diagnosis, but I am grateful for all the advice.

Quick question on bump starting: How do I do it? Haha.. sounds simple enough, but I want to get it right the first time before I run out of hill :) Do I start to roll it and give it gas? Do I turn the ignition, or would that be pointless with a seemingly dead starter? Thanks again!