Now the starter

[ECM]

So I just installed a new starter because when I put the engine back in the car it took a few tries to get it started and for some reason the starter stayed engaged when the engine started. After a few minutes I realized the humming noise I was trying to find was coming from the starter. After that the car would turn over with a god aweful squeeling sound. So I figured a toasted the stater.

So I get a new starter and put it in and now it only clicks. No turn over or anything. Sitting here shaking my head.

Any ideas?

[Matt-B]

4 post starter? you probably have the 2 small wires backwards...

[ECM]

3 post, well 3 + 1 ground. I am sure I have the small wires right. I even looked to swap them and the Black/Yellow that is tied to thick Red Power wire is the only one that will reach the bottom post. The Black/Green small wire isn't long enough to reach the lower post and was on top when I removed the old starter.

I am stumped.

[Matt-B]

when I helped CorvallisbBMW run his harness on the m30, after he hook everything up and i routed everything, this happened, and the wire were backwards

[HellzMindPlaya]

If you removed your cables from your battery when you were changing out your starter as you were supposed to, and then put them on but didn't get them good-n-tight, you could get just a clicking sound because the starter can't draw enough power to turn through loose connections.

[ECM]

So I have now tried 2 new starters, one Napa brand and one Bosche. Same issue just rapid fire clicking. So I put in the old starter that worked but sounded horrible as I believe the bearings are toast. What do you know it works. What could be different between my old starter and these new ones? Obviously I wired them all the same.