Issues after starter motor swap...help!

Z

Zed

Member
 Scotland, Renfreshire
Changed the starter motor for a BOSCH unit from ECP, mines was struggling and had received a few taps from the hammer.

Total time to replace was about an hour (fixing the split in the rocker cover hose took, oh, way too long, glad I noticed it...kinda).

Car burst into life, immediate turn and start so feeling quite happy with myself took the old starter back to ECP for the surcharge refund....

Problems started on the return journey, wipers were slow, ABS came on (a few others came on then off), windows were slow. Parked up and turned off/on which was a few cranks not immediate, ABS came on almost immediately. Oh brother.

Back to the house I checked the battery on DIS, voltages were dropping from what was 10V (!) down to 9V in a minute or so, warning lights on again so killed it. Battery is now on charge in the car thanks to CTEK.

I checked all connections to the starter which I'm guessing were OK anyway given it worked, turned the engine over etc. Battery was new this year so I'm not questioning that. The lack of juice going back to the battery (continual drop) suggests alternator now?? I've had none of these issues prior to fitting the starter, certainly no electrical problems of any kind.

Bad starter?? Read someone had a duffer and was sucking the life from the battery, possible?

Any help / suggestions welcome, thanks! I'm worried and really thought everything was OK initially, well it seemed to be. Surely not that unlucky to bust an alternator swapping a starter! I was careful as always removing and fitting as wires/hoses can be brittle from heat.

:headbang:

One thing, when I called BMW for their price <cough> he said the length was 173 as opposed to 143 (there are two listed under ECP for 2004/E85/3.0i) so I went for the 173 from ECP, they both appear the same rating wise. If it needs to come out Brexit Car Parts are getting it :thumbsdown:

Link to ECP - http://www.eurocarparts.com/ecp/c/B...91a926265513bf9e48fa05b4df8599e1d253fd&000308
 
If I remember correctly the main positive cable from the alternater tags on with the starter main battery on the same post on the solenoid, is it possible that you haven't refitted this as its all a bit tight down there and easily missed.

I think someone else had exactly the same problem on here a while ago.

Get a volt meter and check for the 12v at the back of the alternater as a quick test

Stuart
 
Oh dear, oh dear, now I feel very stupid!

I didn't notice two reds coming off the Starter + Post and I know for def that there's only one connected, the Starter itself.

In defence, if this is indeed it, the alternator + must spring off and hide.... :oops: :oops: :oops:

Thanks mate, I'll have a look tomorrow and least battery is getting a charge overnight.
 
Zed said:
Have I done any damage other than running the battery right down??
Click to expand...

You won't know until you connect it up and try it.
The alternater relies on that connection to stabilise the output so not a good idea to run it for any length of time, hopefully it will all be good.

Good luck and let us know the outcome :thumbsup:

Stuart
 
Thanks Stuart, certainly will do and fingers crossed, lots of codes to clear (mainly under-voltage) once sorted.
 
http://www.z4-forum.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=3&t=80961&p=1193056&hilit=starter+alternator#p1193049

Discusses same issue if thats the thread meant?

I'll check tomorrow for the wires, ROEM has them tagged together, the thread says yes and no. End result though was a duff starter apparently spinning the starter until battery dies. ECP good on returns?
 
All sorted, hooked Alternator cable to Starter, oops! No issues caused as a result, running sweet too following CCV fix :D

Thanks Stuart :happyclap:

For information, pic shows the chained battery leads, the alternator lead may spring off during starter removal and it hides behind the CCV gubbins...honest!

 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom