Nd Help W/a 91 525i, I almost give up!

[Artsoap]

Hi guys! I post rarely so here is my amended story. I have a 91 525i I bought off of ebay (yeah, I know, dumb move), has 215,000. lots of replaced suspension parts (i have records) etc. I bought the car months ago but have not driven it and gotten the chance to 'know' it (been at a friends house getting cleaned up etc). Anyway, I go pick the car up, its wonderful, drives so well..... only two things that seem to be an issue are a slight (starter?) grinding noise upon starting (of course) and the door open dinger on the drivers side keeps going off even tho the door is certainly closed, latched etc. Anyway, I stop at a friends house, turn the car off. When I go to leave it won't start, just clicks at me. So I get cables and jump it, nope, no dice. All the lights, radio etc still work, just no starting. My ex thinks its the starter selenoid. Anyone have any ideas? It has a 60 month interstate battery in it that is four years old. I am at a loss as to what to do with it. I live in this tiny little town, if I even asked around about fixing a bmw the car guys would probably freak out. I also noticed when I start the car the ignition itself if very stiff, hard to turn even after I get the steering wheel out of the lock position. I am at such a loss, tempted to just say give me whatever you think its worth to whoever will have it. But I like the car and need it. Sorry for rambling, the car thing has just been the icing on a bad week. Thanks for any help-

[DaveVoorhis]

Check the simple, easy things first: Make sure the battery is fully charged, in good condition, and that the connectors are clean and securely fastened. Make sure the starter leads are in good condition, the connections not corroded, and securely fastened to the terminals on the solenoid. Unfortunately, the starter is rather difficult to access under the intake manifold. If that doesn't fix it, you might wish to have an auto-electric specialist take a look at the starter. That it's a BMW shouldn't be a problem; the starter is conventional in every respect.

That sticky ignition switch should be examined too.

[Omega]

Hi. Hope that this helps you:

1> Starter grinding and sticking.
The starter is on it's way out. This sounds like heat soak in a knackared starter. Quick fix, get a long bar and thump the starter solenoid then turn the ignition over. 99% of the time it will start.

The solenoid is on top of the starter motor and can be accessed through the 1st and 2nd "holes" in the inlet manifold plastic casting (counting 1st from the bulkhead). I used to use a thin trolley jack handle.

The starter can be removed without unbolting the inlet manifold, Winfred gave a good description of this method ages ago. Search the archive.

2> Door open warning
Wrap some electrical tape around the door pin on the B pillar. It's wear in the locking mechanism causing the microswitch to stay open. The tape takes up the slack. This "temporary" fix lasted over two years.

3> Stiff ignition
Another typical fault. It will only get worse!

The ignition can be removed using a thick paper clip. Turn the key in the barrel to about 60degrees and use the clip to spring the barrel.

Search the bimmer archives for the writeup and method. It's a pain but not as much of a pain as the barrel failing and sticking in position. A new key barrel (keyed to your existing key) is about £40 ($80 ?) from BMW.

4> Wiper arm

You never mentioned it but the passenger side wiper arm has a habit of hitting the bonnet (hood) underside. Again search the archives or bend the hood using a pair of plumbers stilsons when it really p*sses you off. Been there. Done that.

If you also had this issue I would be convinced you had my old e34!.....