Bad starter?

[rockin1978TA]

I had the starter replced on my wifes 89 535 almost exactly two years ago. The starter they put in was told was a new bosch unit.($249)! When starting this morning, the starter sounded like an electric drill. Not grinding but a winding sound. If you just tap the key it fires right up. I called the shop who replcaced it, and he said he only warranties for 1 yr. If I keep driving it this way, what may the outcome be?

[genphreak]

Don't, the inevitable will occur and you'll be stuck. I'd pull the starter out, clean and regrease the clutch/engagement spline (easy to do). It's either old grease, or a cover is missing on the bellhousing and dust, grit or salt flew up in there. Or maybe the shop used the wrong stuff, or the part (& the grease) was new old stock... or was in fact a reco unit that didn't have the clutch replaced. Let us know how u go!

[shogun]

http://www.bimmerboard.com/forums/posts/642408/

[Tiger]

Get you receipt.. see if the Bosch warranty is expired... Call up Bosch to see if they are willing to warranty your starter. Your mechanic should have given you all the Bosch warranty paperworks.


Otherwise, you just need the starter selenoid.

http://www.**************/catalog/1989/bmw/535i/engine_electrical/starter_solenoid.html


There are tons of cheap new starters on ebay... 70 bucks.

[rockin1978TA]

Well I checked with Bosch and starters only have a 1 year warranty. I called back the guy who fixed it 2 years ago, and he said he will charge me $80 labor to remove and install, then $50 to rebuild it. Worth it? I started it today. It makes like a winding and draging sound. After it started I let it run for a bit, then I checked the transmission fluid, and it was completly dry. It's been about a month since I checked it, the pan has a leak, so I put a quart in it. You don't think with it being low on transmission fluid I would get such a sound?

[Tiger]

Low transmission fluid makes all sorts of wierd noises.... there is no such thing as bone dry for tranny.., they have like 9 quarts in there.

That really sux for Bosch warranty and having failed on you. If that guy offers warranty on the rebuilding... then go for it. but I'd suspect you are better off with new one from ebay... roll your dice.

[rockin1978TA]

Here's a little video of the 535 starting. The car has an intake leak, you can hear, which is I believe the cause for the rough idle.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K-O4val24oI