starter compatiblity

[cbgt]

I recently picked up a 88 635 automatic in pretty good shape.
About one in ten starts, the starter makes a hideous scratching sound. It's a metal on metal scraping sound like fingernails on a chalkboard.
I haven't been able to determine what conditions cause it to make the noise.

I'm planning to replace the starter, but found that there are different part numbers for 88/89 E24 vs earlier models. I was wondering if the older style starter would work in my 88 - the earlier one is a lot easier and cheaper to get.

Thanks.

[euroshark]

It should work, it's just got a bigger body so installation and removal is harder while the engine is in the car.

[CW6er]

I believe your engine has the compact starter that some upgrade to, check out thid thread:

http://forums.bimmerforums.com/forum/showthread.php?t=968638&

[cbgt]

thanks guys! I had done some searching but hadn't found that thread yet.

[stoner]

Get the later, smaller starter. It is worth the extra dough and will save you a lot of time and frustration on installation. Later starter installation is a 15 minute job. Earlier starter installation will take you 30 minutes to an hours plus a lot of cussing.
Regards,

Dwight

[CW6er]

Here is a cut & paste of some standard information I've gathered, maybe you have already seen it, but if not, it may be of use. In any case, bookmark them:

There are some things you will definitely need:

There are no aftermarket repair manuals for the Six, but it shares the same engine, drivetrain, suspension and many systems with the 5-Series so the Bentley BMW 5-Series '82 to '88 Manual (Green cover, $38 at Amazon.com) works very well. The "Driveablity" and the fuel injection sections alone are worth the price for diagnosing running problems.
http://www.amazon.com/BMW-5-Service-Manual-1982-1988/dp/0837603188/ref=sr_1_3/105-9530707-1070056?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1181794459&sr=8-3


ETM (Electrical Troubleshooting Manual, aka "wiring diagram"). It is a very good manual, and everyone needs to have this. You really can't work on the car without it. Here is a Site with free downloads of ETM's (PDF files -13 to 20 MB) for various years ('82 to '01) and models of BMW's (3/5/6/7/8/Z):
http://wedophones.com/BMWManualsLead.htm

Free Downloadable Factory Workshop Manual (U.S. Spec after '82 - e28 based, including the M6) and a separate Factory Specification Book (you need the Spec book because torques/specs are not included in the Workshop Manual, however, most torques are given in the Bentley manual). The Workshop Manual is not the greatest, but you can't beat the price, and it is invaluable for the things not covered in the Bentley. It basically just lists the steps for replacing parts, very little in the way of Troubleshooting or System Descriptions are included, so it is best to still get the Bentley, and use the Factory Manual for e24 specific things that aren't in the Bentley:
http://bigcoupe.com/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?p=53625

Online Factory Workshop Manual. Unlike the downloadable Manual above, it also covers the early, e12 based cars - 630 to 633 before '82, as well as, the later cars and the M6. It is also for U.S. Spec. :
http://www.bmwtechinfo.com/repair/main/

Downloadable ZF 4HP-22/24 Automatic Transmission Overhaul Manual It has a fault chart, shows a complete overhaul and has the procedure for the "fix" for the "A" clutch pack:
http://bmwzone.ro/forums/post-a14824-.html
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There is also an Online ETM for an '85. It has much clearer component location pictures then the downloaded ETM's:
http://www.stormpages.com/countchocula1/bmw/etm002.htm
(The component location listings and pictures at the end of the ETM are invaluable as you find your way around the new car)

A gold mine of articles and how-to's:
BigCoupeGroup Tech Library (http://www.normgrills.net/bcg/) ;
Not to be confused with BigCoup.com, don't forget their Tech Articles also. (http://bigcoupe.com/phpBB2/viewforum.php?f=11)

An online Vin Decoder:
http://www.bmw-z1.com/VIN/VINdecode-e.cgi

Site showing BMW wheels with their data, pictures and the cars they came on: It's in German, but with the pictures, it doesn't matter much.
http://felgenkatalog.auto-treff.com/

And last but not least, there are 3 Online Parts Catalogs:

RealOEM.com, the original and I still find it the fastest to navigate if you are still on dialup:
http://www.realoem.com/bmw/select.do?vin=&kind=P&series=E24&arch=1

BMWFans, more graphic, so slower for dialup, but if you click on the part number in the right hand column, it will show you all of the other cars the part was used on. Very handy for hunting at the salvage yard:
http://bmwfans.info/original/E24/Cou/

Maximillian Importing, they will sell you the part, but the price isn't much better then the dealer:
http://www.bmwmobiletradition-online.com/bmw/

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For parts, the lowest prices I've found on the net: check all 3 when looking for parts (they also make good references):

http://www.AutoHausAZ.com
http://www.Pelicanparts.com
http://www.BavAuto.com (Great Catalog, order it, it's free)

[Taylor Marshall]

You can get a rebuilt small starter here:

http://forums.roadfly.com/forums/bmw/bmw-6-series-e24/9393874-2.html