<E28> M30 starter intermittantly won't turn

[Frederick Baumeister <erickbau@xxxxxxxxxxx>]

Ok, time to get the digest's opinion on this one.

On my '88 535iA with 130,000 miles, when the ignition switch is turned
to start, occassionally nothing happens. Nothing besides the brake
padwear indicator lighting up, which I assume means that the ignition
switch is OK. 
This only happens with the engine warm, and usually with an ambient temp
above 80F. If I leave the car sit for 10 or 20 minutes it will usually
just start right up. 
Only other symptom that occurs at other times is that there is
occassionaly a lag of less than a second when I turn the switch to the
start position.
I have replaced the starter twice in the past year to cure the above
symptoms, first with a used unit that tested well. That one lasted about
5 months before the problem recurred. I then bought a BMW remanufactured
starter from the local dealer. That's been in the car for 6 months
before the problem resurfaced last month.

I suspect the starter solenoid but there is no clicking or any sound at
all. I replaced the main relay about 4 months ago that was going
intermittent on me. 

So, what's the failure rate of M30 starters?

Erick Baumeister
currently of Davis Park, Fire Island
'88 535iA Dinan Stage 3(What, You say I don't know much about cars? Come
drive mine and a better balance for the street and track you won't find
in an E28. Now if I was building a track only machine that would be a
different story. A little pricey,yes, and I wouldn't use them to tune an
E36. I just don't think that they've done the research on the E36 that
they have on the E28. Tell me who else has E28 springs that compensate
for the added height from installing camber plates? They're also about
40 minutes from my house and get the diagnosis right the first time.
"Why do they put Braille on the drive thru bank machines?"

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