Starter Question

[dhaus]

The starter on my 85 318i hangs when the engine is cold. (It keeps cranking after the engine starts) Usually it only hangs for a second. Only on the first start of the day. Now that the weather is cooling down it seems to last longer. I'm guessing its the solenoid that's sticking. Can that be replaced separately or is an entire starter assembly necessary?

Thanks for any input,

Don

 

[xLibelle]

You better get your battery checked; doesnt cost anything and is the simplest first step in electrical problems.

 

[rjp325i]

Mine did that on the 1985 318i that I had bought new. It started about 5 years after I had the car and out of warrantee. I never did anything. It still did it once in a while when I sold the car in 2002 with 205K miles on it. I don't know if is the same noise you have. It was a momentary noise and as if I or my wife held the key in the start position too long. If your battery is good and it is determined that the solenoid is defective it can be replaced separately but will require the removal of the starter as per Bentley.