How to change a Starter Motor

Pierrick · Post by **Pierrick** » Mon 26 Nov, 2012 23:05

Hi guys.

I need to change the Starter motor on my Z (1.9L October 1997) presented here:
http://www.zroadster.net/forum/viewtopi ... =3&t=35632

I found a few topic on the forum who were talking about starters but I still have some questions. So if anyone has already changed one, can he tell me if I need specials tools (not sure if bolts are Hexa or star shape heads). How long it should take approximatly?

I found this on e-bay, looks like it's a genuine Bosch and for a good price, what do you think?
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/BOSCH-starter ... 2c696f7392

Thanks for your help.

(By the way I'm living in southampton, so if anyone is around to help...)

Leadpipelouie · Post by **Leadpipelouie** » Thu 06 Dec, 2012 20:07

Hi,
a fiddly job but not too difficult.
You need to remove the dipstick,intake piping etc on that side.
You will need a torx head from memory but can't remember what size.
If you look on the Pelican site, you will get all the details.
I did an engine change headed 2.2 removal on this forum a few weeks ago and is all there somewhere ??
Louie

Pierrick · Post by **Pierrick** » Thu 06 Dec, 2012 20:48

Ok, I'll have a look!

What is the dipstick?

pingu · Post by **pingu** » Thu 06 Dec, 2012 21:31

Pierrick wrote:Ok, I'll have a look!

What is the dipstick?

It is the stick you measure the oil level with.

Pierrick · Post by **Pierrick** » Fri 07 Dec, 2012 00:16

Oh ok! Thanks! I improve my vocabulary every day!!!

Pierrick · Post by **Pierrick** » Sun 09 Dec, 2012 19:32

I just had a look at the starter this afternoon. It doesn't seems to be to complicated to change it. But I have to buy some sockets with a female star shape head and I noticed the actual starter is only fit in with 2 screws...

Leadpipelouie · Post by **Leadpipelouie** » Sat 15 Dec, 2012 17:47

Hi,
the starter is powered by a red lead which if you earth it ,will cause you many problems unless you disconnect the battery -from memory ??
You would be wise to disconnect that before you can change the motor.
It is possible to remove the whole thing but from memory, it is a job getting in there
Louie

Pierrick · Post by **Pierrick** » Sat 15 Dec, 2012 19:07

I should be all right! I'm not working monday and tuesday so hoppefully I'll have time to do this.

Southernboy · Post by **Southernboy** » Sun 16 Dec, 2012 04:26

Always disconnect the battery first!!! when you're dealing with an electrically operated component. The Z3 has so many sensors, you're almost certainly going to have an error message if you don't disconnect the battery first.

Pierrick · Post by **Pierrick** » Mon 17 Dec, 2012 15:51

Hi everyone. I started this afternoon... I managed to remove the first bolt but I can't remove the second one!! I need to find the right tool tonight and hoppefully I can finish the job tomorrow!

I have another problem. When I disconnect the battery the alarm trip off! And I can't stop it with the key fob!

Any idea?

geminimustang · Post by **geminimustang** » Mon 17 Dec, 2012 16:16

when you disconnect the battery,the alarm goes off but it only lasts a minute or so before it falls silent.Don't worry about the alarm,it's a very feeble thing!

Post by **Robert T** » Mon 17 Dec, 2012 18:11

The alarm only sounds on the early housebrick type remote alarms, and NOT on the ones with the buttons integrated into the key. I suspect it is quieter when on the backup battery inside the siren than when powered by the car battery, but it will still wake up your neighbours a 3 o'clock in the morning!

Cheers R.

geminimustang · Post by **geminimustang** » Mon 17 Dec, 2012 18:38

When I say ours is feeble,I mean feeble.It wouldn't wake our dog if the hound was sitting on the bonnet and trust me, he hears things minutes before I do.I assume BMW didn't think the alarm was meant to attract attention and went all out to keep the noise to the minimum .Clever BMW,they succeeded!

Post by **Robert T** » Mon 17 Dec, 2012 18:50

I'd say yours was knackered then, as any I've heard sound loud enough to me!

Cheers R.

geminimustang · Post by **geminimustang** » Mon 17 Dec, 2012 19:00

Rob,you're right,i think it's knackered too.Isn't that part of the cars appeal.It's old,bits aren't what they were,alarm not as loud as it should be,few chips on the bonnet,steering wheel a bit worn,love it.The older it gets,the wear and tear showing it's use,love it.If i wanted new,i wouldn't have a zed.

Pierrick · Post by **Pierrick** » Mon 17 Dec, 2012 21:20

My alarm is very loud. It waks me up and my neighbourgs when I forget to switch it off and it's windy! I can't work on the car if it's on! Impossible!

There must be a solution! I'm not the only one to have this problem, I don't belive it. I have the Bentley manual book but so far I found nothing about it!

Hope someone can help!

BladeRunner919 · Post by **BladeRunner919** » Tue 18 Dec, 2012 09:16

My alarm is fine when the battery's connected and almost inaudible when it's not. I guess the internal battery in the alarm is knackered, but I'm not that worried.

resunoiz · Post by **resunoiz** » Tue 18 Dec, 2012 09:29

http://tis.spaghetticoder.org/s/view.pl?2/20/01

helpful?

Pierrick · Post by **Pierrick** » Tue 18 Dec, 2012 12:07

No! I already had a look there! But thanks!

Pierrick · Post by **Pierrick** » Tue 18 Dec, 2012 16:08

Job done! it took time but it's finally done and everything is working properly!

Lot of photos coming soon!

Pierrick · Post by **Pierrick** » Fri 21 Dec, 2012 23:33

I did a full report on the french Z3 Forum... I'll translate it! Give me a bit of time!

http://www.bmwz3club.fr/forum/viewtopic ... 17&t=28533

zroadster.net

How to change a Starter Motor

How to change a Starter Motor

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