Starting/cranking issue

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ruduger

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Outside Hamilton, Ont. Canada
Greetings all:
I just wanted to throw my latest problem out to you regarding my coupe. Last thursday eve, I was on a 1/2 hr test drive following a carb(s) overhaul. I parked outside my garage to let the car cool down. Went out 15 min. later to pull it in, and lo and behold, there was absolute silence when the ignition was turned to begin cranking. No lights are dimming during this. Until now, I've had no issues related to starting. At this point, I don't have a proper electrical diagram either.
I'm curious as to whether anyone has had a similar issue with theirs, or would know where to check first? Any advise would be greatly appreciated.

P.s. I see bimmerspecialist sells a starter relay kit for the 72 CS, but I would have to find mine first!

:???
 
ruduger said:
absolute silence when the ignition was turned to begin cranking. No lights are dimming during this.
Click to expand...

What you describe could occur on any car - especially an older one.

Assuming your battery is up to snuff (and it evidently is since it powers the lights) I might consider jumping the starter. This might be easily accomplished if you are lucky enough to have the primitive diagnostic setup that came with the car. Jumping the starter with cables and/or screwdriver is probably available via searching the archives (as is the diagnostic and electric circuitry).

Per above, given your symptoms, and without knowing anything about the car's overall condition, I might suspect a cable or cables to be loose or have some easily overlooked corrosion - so that the starter circuit is compromised. This includes ground straps and the leads directly connecting starter and/or battery.

Equally likely, given previous forum discussions, the electrical end of the ignition switch has a tendency to work or not work. Jiggling the switch and examining it from behind (another easily searched topic) is the first step toward diagnosis. If switch is acting up, you can get a "no starter" situation described.

Check the easiest things first.

Hth.


http://e9coupe.com/forum/showthread.php?t=5242

http://e9coupe.com/forum/showthread.php?t=9407

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First, check all ground connections. The EZ part. The bad.... I suspect you may have an ignition switch issue. What is called the "intermediate" section wears out and will not rotate the switch fully.
Not too hard to pull the switch (small "grub" screw) and rotate with a screwdriver. If you find this is the problem then you would have to pull the full assembly and post down to Carl N. for repair. This is a tough job as the tamper-proof screws need to be removed and the column pried down to clear the steering lock. Drove my car around for a while with the switch loose and starting the car with a screw driver....bush league for sure....while the parts were down in CA for repair. The switch is a cheesy part....stamped steel and is assembled with three small crimps, prone to failure. Best of luck....looks like Mr. Mercury got his post up before me....good advise M
 
As a side note....one trick I learned for the removal of the tamper-proof screws....high quality spring loaded or "automatic" center punch to the screw edge to get the screw started to loose....locksmith trick. I keep a new one on hand just for this. A big time saver.
 
Thank you Pamp and Merc for your valuable insights. Fortunately for me, it was somewhat of a false alarm. Being poised to short the starter, I noticed one of the solenoid connectors was just barely making contact. Cleaned it up reconnected and it appears to be fine. Must have been disturbed when I was tightening those 4 awkward carb mounting nuts directly above the starter.

Thanks again
 
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