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I'm so close to having my car on the road but now I've got a problem.

A Little background:Pulled the bad motor and AT from my 74 e9 coupe last year and have dropped in an engine and 5sp from a good running 1981 e12. All mechanical work is done. I'm in the final stages of wiring but can't engage the starter.

I've eliminated the AT cutoff relay by the fuse box and conected the black wire from termial 50 of the ignition switch to terminal 30 on the e12 starter but I get nothing when I turn the ignition. I ran a jumper from terminal 50 of the ignition switch directly to the starter and still no go.

When I run a jumper directly from the battery to the starter it does engage so it's not a starter problem. It seems like I'm not getting power from the ignition switch. All other electricals work with the ignition on.

I've been staring at wiring diagrams for both cars for hours and I don't know what else to try.

Any ideas would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks,

John M


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A thought just off the top of my head without looking at a wiring diagram is this. Which connector on the starter do you have the wire connected to? There are probably two, one smallish one, 3/16 of in inch wide, and a standard 1/4" one. If you have it on the small one it won't work, it's for full voltage at the coil during startup instead of going thru the resistor. If that's not it, break out the meter and see if you do have power going to the ignition switch.

Mike,

I'm sure I'm on the right conector on the starter. I'm able to get it to crank when I apply power direct from the battery. I'm suspecting the combo relay because I have power going in where I should but have no power comming out to the fuel pump brn/grn wire. Could a bad combo relay be the culprit?

John M