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An experiment in being cheap, er, frugal [week 639]
An experiment in being cheap, er, frugal [week 639]
I went to start my car on Friday and the starter wouldn't disengage. It's been having some problems with the solenoid not wanting to work first thing in the morning after sitting overnight, but then working fine the rest of the day. Never does it in the summer, only in the winter, and this year it's gotten pretty bad.
Anyway, I really didn't want to spend money on a new/rebuilt starter, so I pulled the old one out and opened it up. The current starter is a rebuilt unit itself, although I think that it has quite a few years/miles on it. I have service records that go back to the early/mid 90's and I don't remember seeing a receipt for starter replacement.
The starter was filthy, the commutator was showing signs of heavy-ish wear, and the pinion gear was looking worn, but the brushes had a good amount of meat on them, the bearing surfaces looked fine, and most other things looked good. I resurfaced the commutator, cleaned and lubricated everything, then reassembled.
The solenoid piston was suck in the solenoid and would not come out without the help of Vise-Grips. It wasn't suck super hard, though, and after some cleaning it works fine.
Upon installation last night, the starter works as it should. So far, I have spent $0 and replaced nothing. We'll see how long this lasts, I'll update this thread in about a week (sooner if this blows up in my face).
I think my trusty friends Mr. Screwdriver and Mr. Mallet will be accompanying me until this thing proves itself.
Anyway, I really didn't want to spend money on a new/rebuilt starter, so I pulled the old one out and opened it up. The current starter is a rebuilt unit itself, although I think that it has quite a few years/miles on it. I have service records that go back to the early/mid 90's and I don't remember seeing a receipt for starter replacement.
The starter was filthy, the commutator was showing signs of heavy-ish wear, and the pinion gear was looking worn, but the brushes had a good amount of meat on them, the bearing surfaces looked fine, and most other things looked good. I resurfaced the commutator, cleaned and lubricated everything, then reassembled.
The solenoid piston was suck in the solenoid and would not come out without the help of Vise-Grips. It wasn't suck super hard, though, and after some cleaning it works fine.
Upon installation last night, the starter works as it should. So far, I have spent $0 and replaced nothing. We'll see how long this lasts, I'll update this thread in about a week (sooner if this blows up in my face).
I think my trusty friends Mr. Screwdriver and Mr. Mallet will be accompanying me until this thing proves itself.
Last edited by Eta power on Apr 30, 2025 1:11 AM, edited 3 times in total.
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Go for it Keith. Starters are easy once you rig something to hold the brushes back. I have no need or time for a starter re-hab. My mechanical re-hab du jour is an old Gravely walk behind with a sickle bar. It hasn't run in 5 yrs. I have spark but the plug is fouled. and the carb looks to need some TLC.Blue Shadow wrote:To bad this isn't a picture how-to for all us cheap bastards here that would undertake this operation to avoid spending coin. Especially if this works long term for you.
Blue Shadow wrote:To bad this isn't a picture how-to for all us cheap bastards here that would undertake this operation to avoid spending coin. Especially if this works long term for you.
Andy is correct, there really isn't that much to a starter. I found this helpful, though:a wrote:Go for it Keith. Starters are easy once you rig something to hold the brushes back.
http://www.bmwtechinfo.com/repair/main/137en/index.htm


Also, I ran some errands today, and the starter seems to be working better than ever. Still, we're only a day out.
When you've got a minute, you wanna stop by and have a look at my neighbor's old Ariens snowblower?a wrote:Go for it Keith. Starters are easy once you rig something to hold the brushes back. I have no need or time for a starter re-hab. My mechanical re-hab du jour is an old Gravely walk behind with a sickle bar. It hasn't run in 5 yrs. I have spark but the plug is fouled. and the carb looks to need some TLC.Blue Shadow wrote:To bad this isn't a picture how-to for all us cheap bastards here that would undertake this operation to avoid spending coin. Especially if this works long term for you.

Good job on the starter rehab. Like Andy said, starters are pretty easy (if you know a few tricks.) I predict your bargain fix will last. Next thing you know, you'll be rehabbing your heater blower motor and your window winders!

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Unfortunately there is a spare new B35 starter in the boxes of parts that have been left in my possession when E28ers have moved from the area. So I won't be able to do this repair and install it all in one step as was done here.
It is good that the discussion does include the how to as when I do change a starter, I will attempt to fix the one pulled out. Nice to have working spares on the shelf or rolling around in the trunk. The latter option not as necessary with a starter and manual transmission car.
It is good that the discussion does include the how to as when I do change a starter, I will attempt to fix the one pulled out. Nice to have working spares on the shelf or rolling around in the trunk. The latter option not as necessary with a starter and manual transmission car.
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I've done a little work on semis and everything weighs a ton on them. Seems like things start at 100 pounds and go from there. I didn't like working on them, too much back not enough wrench or head.pleasefixitup wrote:
We did a starter on a Mack truck once....boy was that a PAIN. The oil filters are in the way and they're about a foot tall and the starter weighs more than you could believe.
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Eta power wrote:Oh my God, I totally forgot about this thread.
It's been over a year and all is well. The starter is working as good as the day I put it in. Never missed a beat. Long live cheapasses!
Do you remember if the crud jamming the solenoid looked to be dust from the clutch friction plate? It seems every hanging starter I have seen was full of that stuff.
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Funny, makes me think back to this thread and quote:
http://mye28.com/viewtopic.php?t=124199
"e28's ="Rich guys showing how much money they can spend"
Nice job.
http://mye28.com/viewtopic.php?t=124199
"e28's ="Rich guys showing how much money they can spend"
Nice job.
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I hate to admit this, but my car is an automatic. So, no, there was no clutch dust. Anywhere.Coldswede wrote:Do you remember if the crud jamming the solenoid looked to be dust from the clutch friction plate? It seems every hanging starter I have seen was full of that stuff.
As I recall, it was gunked up with old grease. When I reassembled the solenoid, I used three-in-one oil instead.
Yah The starter froze up on the Grape in 0F cold snap. The drive wouldn't retract. I needed to beat on the starter with a hammer handle.
I have been doing OK with starters since I got rid of my AMC Grand Wags. They used a POS design that relied on contacts that pitted easily and needed replacement.frequently. Chrysler GWs used a Mitsubishi gear reduction starter that was 1/2 the size and was a breeze to replace. I had one that outlasted 2 engines.
I have been doing OK with starters since I got rid of my AMC Grand Wags. They used a POS design that relied on contacts that pitted easily and needed replacement.frequently. Chrysler GWs used a Mitsubishi gear reduction starter that was 1/2 the size and was a breeze to replace. I had one that outlasted 2 engines.

Re: An experiment in being cheap, er, frugal [week 5]
Just wanted to give an update. This starter is still in my car, still held in with no top bolt and still works. Whenever I let the car sit for a year or two I have to dissemble and oil the solenoid. I literally have a pile of starters if this one ever decides to give it up. If it does, you fine folks will be the first to know.
Re: An experiment in being cheap, er, frugal [week 639]
Time well spent.
Re: An experiment in being cheap, er, frugal [week 5]
Eta Power, wow, long time no see. Glad to see you seem to be doing well and keeping the BMW faith!Eta power wrote: Apr 30, 2025 1:09 AM Just wanted to give an update. This starter is still in my car, still held in with no top bolt and still works. Whenever I let the car sit for a year or two I have to dissemble and oil the solenoid. I literally have a pile of starters if this one ever decides to give it up. If it does, you fine folks will be the first to know.
Re: An experiment in being cheap, er, frugal [week 639]
I swapped the solenoid on my M21. The one in the car had the end cap crack to bits for some reason, spilling the contacts out so it wouldn't go. One of the screws was missing, so maybe related? Pulled the solenoid from a used starter that I had re-brushed and stuck on the shelf as a spare. The used solenoid was "rebuilt" by taking it apart and polishing the contacts on the two heavy studs and flipping the copper washer over. So far its been fine for a couple months. Replacing the solenoid is far less difficult than extracting the starter.
Re: An experiment in being cheap, er, frugal [week 639]
Excellent thread. Would read again.
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Re: An experiment in being cheap, er, frugal [week 639]
Nice a ten year update that it works. Ilike it when we are kept informed.