e36 no start

[ClubSport]

Problem solved. It was the EWS II, which most of you guys are not cursed with.  There is a starter blocking relay which goes out sometimes. Luckily you can just jumper it out. EWS will still prevent starting if there's no key by not allowing fuel or spark. But for now it cranks and runs fine.

[jaimerod123]

Which one of the wires was it? i am having the same problem. Thanks!!

[ClubSport]

There's a black/yellow wire leaving the ignition and going down the steering column. It takes a right turn way over to the EWS module and comes back as a green/yellow of the same size, which goes to the engine bay to crank. If you have 12V on the black/yellow, but not the green/yellow when trying to crank, then that's your problem. You don't need to pull the EWS module, just cut these two wires and connect them so the crank signal goes straight from the steering column to the engine bay.

[wazzu70]

I have a similar problem in a 91 e30. Car stars fine on the first try or after sitting a while. If its within 30 mins of going on any reasonable drive the starter will not start (or even try).

Which relay is the unloader relay? There is orange, blue, and white on the cowl and I forget which is which.

All electrical works in the car, when you go to "start" on the ignition switch the lights dim for a second but there is no attempt to start.

Battery voltage is at 13.7 while running which seems low but not enough to cause this. Before trying to start after sitting battery has 12.6V. Battery is only three months old or so. Using my battery tester it says I have good CCA available when I have the problem

Problem seems to be more common with a higher ambient temperature.

If I get a jump car starts fine like there was never an issue which makes me think its an amperage problem? I can also push start the car.

If I take a screwdriver and jump the big posts on the starter it turns over fine. Gets 12v to the starter post.

How do I jumper the ignition and bypass the switch? Which color to which?

Also on the solenoid posts, what should be the reading at those? I get 10v to the lower one and about .7v to the other one with the key in start position.

Thanks. Waiting downtown for my car to start no room for push start.