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Thread: starter always on!?

  1. #1
    Join Date
    Jul 2017
    Location
    Montreal, Qc
    Posts
    1
    My Cars
    2001 BWM 320i

    starter always on!?

    hi, new to forum. i need help. i apologize in advance if this has already been asked somewhere but i've done some research and can't find anything... so thanks in advance for any help anyone has for me here.

    2001 320i manual

    car drove perfectly fine, i go on vacation for 7 days, come back... starts right up no issues. Battery light stays on red as well as oil light red (low on oil.. no big deal - topped it up). Turn the car off and i hear an electric motor running under the hood; car will no longer start. disconnect battery, reconnect, car starts right up no problem, no lights. go for 30 minute drive, park, another 30 minute drive, no problem. 10 mins later, same thing: she starts right up, battery light RED, turn it off.. u guessed it, electric motor on. so i disconnect the battery, reconnect it, still on. i figure out its the STARTER motor constantly on. not engaged, just on. so i disconnect the starter, push start the car and drive to my shop (5 mins drive). the whole time the battery light is on.

    so i understand i most likely need an alternator im not getting 14 volts at the battery with the car running... but why is my starter stuck on? and could it be for some reason the alternator isnt charging because the starter is disconnected/faulty?

    im quite car savvy but not super familiar with bimmers and their electrical issues.

    UPDATE: reconnected the starter, no more issues. back to normal. im confused now lol alternator is charging at 13.6V
    Last edited by pness.mtl; 07-16-2017 at 09:26 PM.

  2. #2
    Join Date
    Jul 2011
    Location
    Arlington, VA
    Posts
    9,933
    My Cars
    2018 BMW M240i
    The starter gas 12VDC as long as the battery is connected. It receives stator voltage (stator: the part of the starter's wires that don't move; as opposed to the rotor) from the EWS system and the ignition switch. I'm wondering if the ignition switch is the issue.

  3. #3
    Join Date
    Dec 2013
    Location
    Chicagoland area
    Posts
    4,372
    My Cars
    EXOTICS

    +1

    I agree, sounds like a defective ignition switch,
    or possibly a starter solenoid.
    Last edited by MIKYZZ4; 07-17-2017 at 06:31 AM.

  4. #4
    Join Date
    Jul 2017
    Location
    42 deg lat -70 deg long
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    43
    My Cars
    Yes, please.
    Your car might have a starter relay involved in the circuit.

  5. #5
    Join Date
    Jul 2011
    Location
    Arlington, VA
    Posts
    9,933
    My Cars
    2018 BMW M240i
    I don't think there's a relay for the starter. I believe the starter has 12VDC at all times.

  6. #6
    Join Date
    Dec 2013
    Location
    Chicagoland area
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    4,372
    My Cars
    EXOTICS
    Correct, that's the purpose for the starter solenoid atop the starter.

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