danutt 4 Report post Posted December 24, 2010 my e36 325i m50 vanos has developed a strange starting issue sometimes you turn the key and sweet az other times absolutely nothing happens and the lights go dim on the dash battery is new now it has also developed a small rattle sounds like a stone in an exhasut cover but its by the back of the engine starter motor gone or nearly gone? starter motor solenoid not coming back so its touching or running with the engine?(could explain rattle) cheers for any input have a great xmas Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Michael. 2313 Report post Posted December 24, 2010 Hmm could be a stuffed starter Could also be a starter motor relay... check those first. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
danutt 4 Report post Posted December 24, 2010 Hmm could be a stuffed starter Could also be a starter motor relay... check those first. hey mate where would i find the starter relay ? good idea to check it first looking for a write up on starter motor removal....they are a bugger on the 36 but there must be sum tricks to it Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
danutt 4 Report post Posted December 25, 2010 had another look at her taday and placing a pipe on the starter while its running and i can here a ticking could the solenoid be staying engaged ? cant find relay to check it removed(one by one) the relays in the engine box and none stopped the engine from starting except of course the fuel one does it even have a relay? checked behind glovebox and theres a relay there just one and its not for the starter and did my fail proof test haha and it still starts please help out cheers Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
BM WORLD 1283 Report post Posted December 25, 2010 (edited) sorry . no relay i think , starter wire (black with yellow strip) goes from ignition switch all the way to the starter motor. your ring gear could be damaged (have seen it before) requires new starter and ring gear (trans will need to be removed) Edited December 25, 2010 by Brent HARTGE535i Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
danutt 4 Report post Posted December 25, 2010 if ring gear is buggered, hopefully unlikely, then what could happen if i just leave it probably starter motor and solenoid at fault then had another look and sound is more intense so to speak from the bottom of bellhousing but when you stand on drivers side you can hear it more than on the starter side man its frustrating got a trip planned for 29th need the ka dammit haha Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
BM WORLD 1283 Report post Posted December 25, 2010 if ring gear is buggered, hopefully unlikely, then what could happen if i just leave it probably starter motor and solenoid at fault then had another look and sound is more intense so to speak from the bottom of bellhousing but when you stand on drivers side you can hear it more than on the starter side man its frustrating got a trip planned for 29th need the ka dammit haha if it is the ring gear , eventually you wont be able to start it as all the teeth will be damaged Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
danutt 4 Report post Posted December 26, 2010 cheers for the starter its all in now the old starters dome shaped insert into the gearbox was broken off and rattling around against the flywheel hahah definitly the most bizarre thing on the e36 so far haha now onto the next thing while im there with intake off i cleaned icv and checked pipes etc knock sensors dont look like they working lol generally bad condition haha how to test these? how much to replace? will start a new topic cheers for the help Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
