engine and drivetrain Help needed!!

[Guest Anonymous]

Hey 2002faq,

I'm still experiencing problems starting my car. Originally I thought it was my negative battery cable but i've replaced that with an OEM one and it still isn't starting. When I turn the ignition there is a click sound - the engine does not try to start up at all, just a click. The click sound is coming from the engine, closest to the dash (if that makes any sense). What is the common fix here? I'm thinking starter but before buying a new one i'd like a second opinion.

Included is a picture of my old battery cable just for kicks.

Thanks for any advice/comments.

[bingbong]

sounds like your starter motor.

[c.d.iesel]

it's your starter

[Guest Anonymous]

Ok great thanks for the replies. Just needed some peace of mind.

Love this forum!!!

[devo1]

With the battery lead still connected to the starter, disconnect the ignition wires from the solenoid spade connections and run a ground wire from the second bolt stud that has a heavy copper cable to the starter. In other words hot wire the starter.

If it spins it's not your starter. Start looking at every wire and every connection on the ignition circuit from the ignition switch to the solenoid.

[bill.in.mt]

low battery causes the same problem.

[Guest Anonymous]

low battery causes the same problem.

I had the battery tested and it held a charge but it will need replacing soon.

[Pancake]

How clean is the ground cable connection? Make sure you have a good connection between the ground cable and the chassis/engine. I'll bet it's your starter, but once had a vehicle that couldn't draw enough juice to crank the starter due to a very nasty ground on the block.

[bmw_jeff]

Sounds just like a bad solinoid to me, unless the battery has a bad cell and drops to 9V or something while you are cranking the ignition.

[Guest Anonymous]

How clean is the ground cable connection? Make sure you have a good connection between the ground cable and the chassis/engine. I'll bet it's your starter, but once had a vehicle that couldn't draw enough juice to crank the starter due to a very nasty ground on the block.

The ground was extremely frayed. The first thing I did was replace it so it's brand new.

Another thing that is pointing to my starter: when the car was running, when I turned the ignition it would take a couple revs to get the car started.

[Guest Anonymous]

I'm ordering a new starter, does it matter if its a Bosch or Autolite? Autolite is much cheaper and I can pick it up locally, bavauto is selling bosch...

[bmw_jeff]

The Bosch is the "factory" brand (German) and will probably outlast the auto-store version by several years. However if the price difference is like 50%, then you may justify simply buying another Autolite later when that one dies. The swap is a 1/2 hour job, pretty easy, so that's not a big deal to buy the cheapie and then have to change it in a few years. If its just a "driver" 02 and not a fully correct car, then the Autolite may be the best deal. Otherwise go Bosch IMHO.

[Guest Anonymous]

The Bosch is the "factory" brand (German) and will probably outlast the auto-store version by several years. However if the price difference is like 50%, then you may justify simply buying another Autolite later when that one dies. The swap is a 1/2 hour job, pretty easy, so that's not a big deal to buy the cheapie and then have to change it in a few years. If its just a "driver" 02 and not a fully correct car, then the Autolite may be the best deal. Otherwise go Bosch IMHO.

Great, just making sure the Autolite wasn't a piece of crud. I just found out it comes with a lifetime warranty so I really can't go wrong...

Are there any diagrams or write-ups for replacing the starter or is it pretty straight forward? I'm still learning as I go...i'm a car newbie

[bmw_jeff]

It's very straighforward, just a couple of bolts. Just be sure to note which wires go to which contact point on the starter before removing them. I put masking tape on them as labels. Disconnect the battery and remove the carb inkate filter assembly. The R&R is easy even for newbies.

[Guest Anonymous]

It's very straighforward, just a couple of bolts. Just be sure to note which wires go to which contact point on the starter before removing them. I put masking tape on them as labels. Disconnect the battery and remove the carb inkate filter assembly. The R&R is easy even for newbies.

I couldn't see the starter with a naked eye, is it on top or on bottom of the engine? I'm assuming on top if I need to remove the filter carb intake?