How to remove starter motor on a 1996 bmw 318?

To remove starter motor :---

Pop the hood. Remove the air intake tubing from the engine using a flathead screwdriver, and set it to the side. This will expose the starter motor just below, mounted towards the firewall with several wires out of the top of it.

Remove the negative terminal on the battery then the positive terminal with an open-end wrench. Remove all connections at the starter as well, also using a wrench.

Unbolt the starter from the transmission using the 3/8-inch ratchet and socket. Lift it out of the engine compartment carefully, as it is quite heavy.

Starter

• REMOVAL & INSTALLATION
• TESTING & TROUBLESHOOTING

Removal & Installation

1. Before servicing the vehicle, please familiarize yourself with safety procedures.
2. Remove or disconnect the following:
   
   
   Negative battery cable

   Starter motor wiring connectors

   Starter motor
   
   

   

   

   Fig. Starter motor mounting-3.0L engine

   
   
   

   

   

   Fig. Starter motor mounting-3.9L engine
   
   

To install:

1. Install or connect the following:
   
   
   Starter motor. Tighten the bolts to 18 ft. lbs. (25 Nm).

   Starter motor wiring connectors

   Negative battery cable
   
   

Testing & Troubleshooting

Feed Circuit Test

NOTE

Make all multimeter connections at the component terminal rather than the cable or wiring terminal.

1. Make sure the battery is fully charged. Perform a battery load test.
2. Disconnect the ignition coil connector.
3. Connect a remote starter switch between the starter solenoid S-terminal and the battery positive post.
4. Connect the positive lead of digital multimeter to the battery positive post. Connect the negative lead of the multimeter to the starter solenoid M-terminal.
5. Engage the remote starter switch. Read and record the voltage. The multimeter reading should be 0.5 volt or less.
6. If the voltage reading is 0.5 volt or less, go to the Starter Motor - Ground Circuit Component Test
7. If the voltage reading is greater than 0.5 volt, this is an indication of excessive resistance in the connections, the positive battery cable or in the starter solenoid. Move the digital multimeter negative lead to the starter solenoid B-terminal and repeat the test. If the voltage reading at the B-terminal is lower than 0.5 volts, the concern is either in the connections at the starter solenoid or in the solenoid contacts.
8. Remove the cables at the starter solenoid B-, S-, and M-terminals. Clean the connections and install the cables. If the reading is still higher than 0.5 volt at the M-terminal and 0.5 volt or lower at the B-terminal, the concern is the solenoid contacts. Install a new starter motor.
9. If the voltage measured in Step 5 is greater than 0.5 volt, the concern is either the positive battery cable connection or the positive battery cable itself. Clean the positive battery cable connection. If this does not solve the problem, replace the positive battery cable.

Ground Circuit Test

NOTE

Make all multimeter connections at the component terminal rather than the cable or wiring terminal.

1. Disconnect the ignition coil connector.
2. Connect a remote starter switch between the starter solenoid S-terminal and the battery positive terminal.
3. Connect the positive lead of digital multimeter to the starter motor housing. The connection must be clean and free of rust or grease. Connect the negative lead to the negative battery terminal.
4. Engage the remote starter switch and read the voltage. The reading should be 0.2 volt or less.
5. If the voltage drop is greater than 0.2 volt, clean the negative battery cable connections at the battery, the body ground connections, and the starter ground connections. Retest.
6. If the voltage is still more than 0.2 volt, install a new cable. If the reading is less than 0.2 volt and the engine still cranks slowly, install a new starter motor.