318is will not start

[Sophia69IS]

1991 318is M42


I went out to drive to work about two weeks ago it won't start.

When I get into the car, and turn that key, the starter makes a clicking noise, not a bunch, just a few.

Normally, I would think "oh the starter is finished" BUT it is only two years old.

I thought "well, I will try and jump the damn thing" so I attached it to my roommates vehicle (2001 Honda Accord) and, even with the jumpers attached to the battery in the boot, same thing, clicking from the starter.

Here is the interesting part, when I tried jumping the car from the jumppack under the hood in the front, the starter motor will turn the motor over, it doesn't start, but it will at least turn over, which leads me to believe the starter is still working.

My other post, a little further down, was still never resolved as to the high idle. Which the car was doing before it just stopped starting.

Anyone have any good ideas? I have charged the battery all the way up, I have checked my fuses, and connections to the starter, they all seem to be good.

This is my only current car so I am riding a bicycle everywhere, which sucks since I live in the Pacific Northwest.

Please help!

And happy thanksgiving!

Cheers!


Update: as of today, tried to find a short with a multi-meter going from the fusebox, was unable to find one, the jump pack at the front of the car is receiving 12 volts from the battery. I'm stumped.


Your destiny is to help me, search your feelings.
 
Signed,
Darth Vader

[Sophia69IS]

https://www.dropbox.com/s/8b3qtw9len5nhnm/VID_20121124_111231.m4v

This is what it sounds like when trying to start

[Sophia69IS]

Anyhow, the idle is still high, so you should help me with that instead.

Basically the car idles fine when it first starts up, but as the motor warms up, the idle starts to go up and starts idling around 1500 RPMs....any ideas?

Don't fail me again.

[318ls]

Even though there is 12V at the front of the car, doesn't mean that it is getting the current it needs to crank over the engine.

I suspect that the battery cable might be compromised between your battery and the front of the car.  Do you have a DMM to look at the voltage in the front when you try to crank the starter?  If it is in deed the battery cable, the voltage might dip far enough where the starter is only clicking and not turning...

[DesktopDave]

You might want to check the battery voltage - anything under about 12vdc won't turn over the car.  The starter has voltage protection IIRC and won't turn unless you have at least 12 or so volts.  A good healthy battery should run about 12.5vdc (with the wires disconnected).

As for the high idle, check your ICV.  Might also be the coolant & air temp sensors.