318is Won't Start

[mojogator]

My daughter drove her 93 E36 to school the other day, started up with no problem. When she got ready to leave, nothing. The electrical system seems to bee OK, the battery is 2 months old and was fully charged. The car just won't turn over. I can hear faint clicks from the relays and the area of the starter (which also looks fairly new) We also tried jumping it, but no luck.It just won't crank.

Evrything else is working and the headlamps don't even dimm when trying to crank it. Any ideas?? Thanks for any advice.

[Cruzin 323is]

if u can hear faint "clicks" then its prolly your starter... it'll prolly turn over after a couple times... auto/manual?

[motown3]

Originally posted by mojogator@Dec 4 2004, 06:54 AM
My daughter drove her 93 E36 to school the other day, started up with no problem. When she got ready to leave, nothing. The electrical system seems to bee OK, the battery is 2 months old and was fully charged. The car just won't turn over. I can hear faint clicks from the relays and the area of the starter (which also looks fairly new) We also tried jumping it, but no luck.It just won't crank.

Evrything else is working and the headlamps don't even dimm when trying to crank it. Any ideas?? Thanks for any advice.

[snapback]243234[/snapback]

Usually a defective starter will cause the lights to dim when ignition is turned. Have your Solenoid checked. If you are getting current to the starter it is either the starter or a defective ground. At least the starter is easy to change

[mojogator]

Thanks guys, after checking everything methodically, I rapped on the end of the starter a couple of times with a ratchet extension. Started on the second try after that. I must have a 'dead spot' on the starter. The local parts places say the starter is good and that I have a 'charging system' problem, but I checked battery voltage with all the accessories on and it never dropped below 12.7 volts. I'm thinking it's a defective statrter. Thanks again for the help!

[kearnyme]

How new is your alternator?

[BeemerMan]

ya most likely its your starter. its not making proper contact. anyhow i had the same problem with my car, but now it's fine. I use to just turn the key and bounce real hard on my seat once, and the car would start. ahaha talk about ghetto.