Starter question

[richardak]

Occasionally, when I hit the start button, I only get the faint click of a relay (not the solenoid). Is this typical behavior for a failing starter or should I be looking elsewhere? After repeatedly pressing the button, the engine starts. During this time, the clutch lever is pulled in (no change in the clutch switch position) and the transmission is in neutral. Since I hear a relay clicking, I am assuming that the starter switch is working. So far this problem has only occurred in my driveway but I suspect it will only get worse. Any suggestions?

[Rod Sheridan]

Yes, start at the beginning;

- check connections for corrosion and make sure they are tight and clean
- check that the relay contacts are closing and are providing power out
- check at the starter solenoid to see if power is going to the solenoid.

After that you can determine what's wrong........Rod.

[kstoo]

to share a problem that I had, exact same description that you are talking about ended up being the connection to the starter relay was loose just enough to arc and carbon up making it become more resistive as time went on. Cleaned up the connector, replaced the washers and nut and torqued it down. Fine now.

[20774]

The starter relay in question is underneath the tank, left side of the backbone. It's a small cube about 1 inch on a side. Try pulling the relay out and shove it home several times...this will help clean away some of the corrosion. You could also buy a new one...they're inexpensive.

[richardak]

The starter relay in question is underneath the tank, left side of the backbone. It's a small cube about 1 inch on a side. Try pulling the relay out and shove it home several times...this will help clean away some of the corrosion. You could also buy a new one...they're inexpensive.

That was my first thought. I did check that relay and all of the contacts look clean and shiny. I didn't check the connections on the bottom of the socket nor the connection to the solenoid.

[lkchris]

Starter is usually the last thing that's the problem.

First is the battery, of course, followed by connections and the relay.

The click is the first sign of a failed battery.

At one point I could get mine going simply by slapping the left side of the gastank -- that's approx where the relay is. Relay acted up more when cold.

[nhlkats]

Somewhat related
http://www.bmwmoa.org/forum/showthre...hlight=starter

[osbornk]

My R80RT did that for a couple of years before it refused to respond regardless of the number of attempts. I procrastinated because I had to remove the gas tank (which took all of 5 minutes). The relay is under the tank and is easy to find among the others. Just click the starter button and feel which one is clicking (it is the one with the diagram imprinted on the top).. Mine is on order from Hammersley BMW and should be here any day now. The replacement cost through them is $14.25 and the shipping (minimum) is about $10.08 but you can order additional items with no increase in shipping. You need to pull out the old relay and compare it before you order because there are two different ones for some models. I looked at the parts on Hammersley website to get the right one. They have different connections for my year.

I checked to make sure it was the relay be crossing over a couple of the connections that make the starter work (trial and error).

[richardak]

Thank you for all of the replies. Checked all of the connections and they are good and clean. I put in a small led indicator on the relay output to the solenoid and waited for it to fail. It didn't take long and it looks like a flaky relay. A new one is now on order. I'll post results after it is installed. Thank you again.

[richardak]

I replaced the starter relay and it seems to have fixed the problem. It now cranks everytime. Thank you all.

[8ninety8]

A couple years ago my starter with fresh charged battery would turn over hesitantly, slowly, and I would sweat if it would catch. This spring went through the electrics, pulled all connections, cleaned everything up, found why right turn signal had stopped working (loose connection in main circuit bd. in nacelle), checked/disassembled starter. Re-assembled, same slow turn over!

Forgot the obvious, checked main positive cable end at battery. Clean but pitted. Fix, filed flat to the copper, soldered on thick coat of clean solder, filed flat, bolted it up, and it turns over fast like new.

Also ran a secondary negative wire loom from the diode board ground picking up the main frame ground atop the coil mount, to the negative battery terminal. By-passed all the seams between the block and the main ground on the back of the transmission.

Volt meter is steady, charging normal. Blinkers work, starter spins. That's my story and I'm sticking to it.

'74 R90S