How to replace BMW 325 Ci Starter Motor

How to remove and replace a Starter Motor on a 2001 BMW 325Ci,
without removing manifolds, ducting, pipes and panels etc
My very first attempt at repairing anything substantial on a car. Appologies for the shakey camera work (and broad scottish accent!)

[@dironizareyes596]

Ok so I replicated this procedure today but I didn’t have to lift the car whatsoever. It’s best to use a 3/8 ratchet box wench instead of 10mm the 3/8 is a tight perfect fit. I did need to take the plastic cover over the left side of the car along with the airbox, however I removed the shelf type assembly that houses the cabin air filter for way better access to the firewall/ starter bolts. I then fished out the starter through underneath the mass flow sensor / throttle boot then out through where the airbox would be. Try to use a long 3/8 box wrench in combo with a short one. I use duct tape on the smaller box wrench in combo with a longer box wrench to get leverage . Took about 4 to 5 hours. Much respect to this man!!! I was able to do it quicker knowing he was able to do it as described in description. Thanks!!!!! My driver side is on the left side USA version.

[@dblackkw]

Royal Robson, what can I say? Your a genius! Thinking outside of the box! That's the major DIFFERENCE! AND a lot of patience lol. I watched multiple videos on this subject and every one pulled the entire top of the engine apart, what a waste of time! Thank you so much for making this video YOUR THE MAN!!!!!!

[@royalrobson28]

Thanks man 🙂 Glad it could help you out and hopefully save you some time and money too

[@andrewdevenish9904]

I admire your patience on what must have been a fiddle job. It would have been easier to remove the cabin filter housing - it’s only a couple torx. screws, and then you can see the bolts easily. A long extension can get onto the lower bolt from under the car with an E12 and flex joint. My starter would not come loose even with the bolts out ( guide pin stuck ) so I decided to pull the manifold to get to it. That job is a bit more involved, but not hard, and requires a lot less patience...

[@kgb7765]

Andrew Devenish I would agree, I had the original factory bolts strip on me too, and as a mechanic I don’t do well with a job like this feeling around blind , the intake comes off pretty quickly if you are knowledgeable and patient , maybe I can see a job like this if you have to retake the starter out again, but not a factory original installation never being removed.

[@rayfite2363]

Keith , this is one of the BEST do it yourself vids on KZbin! Well done!

[@michaelralston9608]

I would add a disclaimer regarding your jack set up and edit the video so the part about “disconnecting the negative battery terminal” is at the start of the video. The part about the battery is critically important since the high voltage connection is almost always exposed (dangerous)and there are a lot people who won’t watch long enough to see that part

[@ignacioromero5014]

I was really impressed by this method, I would suggest chasing the threads on the new starter with a tap and using a little bit of oil on them and the fastener, this will allow you to run the bolt all the way down by hand. Even another way would be to install studs on the starter and only allow for one thread to show when installing a nut on the other end...Good work!

[@licasixpack]

Your video helped me well.I did it all from the top and worked.I found that is not much work but sanity plays a major role in this pesky task.

[@hindflight]

Greetings from America! This job was a real pain.. no way around it unfortunately. You can remove the plastic panel near the brake booster a little easier if you remove the cabin air filter tray first... Luckily from the video I knew the spanner wrench could be used for the "inverted torx" screws as it was impossible to reach them any other way.. thanks for the video!

[@ukweedkiller]

great diy vid, just done mine thanks to this vid, have cracked the nuts using a e-torx 14 socket, a halfords ratchet spanner socket adapter (essential), and then using a 10mm ratchet spanner to get bolts out the rest of the way, if you remove the cabin filter housing life is so much easier and so far i have not needed to do anything from the bottom, all from above with the exception of drawing the starter through the bottom

[@rickb8944]

Gotta say great job buddy. For someone who hasn't worked on cars, let alone take on a pig of a job as this is. I tip my hat to you. Well done

[@minkorrh]

Great video!, my only problem is that I'm not Scottish and I know that a Scotsman's persistence in the face of adversity and the capability to curse at the starter in a heavy Scottish accent is a prerequisite for this specific job to be completed successfully. ;)

[@royalrobson28]

Love this 😂

[@michaelralston9608]

With that said(in my comment below), I do like the idea and video! Thank you for saving me a few hours of tedious work!

[@tbirdboy]

Way to go mate! I'll save this video for sure.

[@dav3455]

Thanks for the share Keith, I have a 04 325ci and going to attempt the removal today.

[@royalrobson83]

How did you get on Dave?

[@ras855]

Yah how did it go

[@haihonguyen]

Great video thanks for sharing. I just started removing the surrounding parts to clear space on my car, will start starter removal job tomorrow maybe. I have not bought the starter yet :-). I just want to get a feel how difficult the job is before ordering the starter. did some big job before, so I hope it will be too bad.

[@bootyman234]

Great job great video. Thank you.

[@dironizareyes596]

This job was incredible God must have been helping this guy wow very impressive, i wonder if it wouldve been alot easier to do it this method by removing the cabin filter assembly above the firewall

[@royalrobson28]

Thank you so much. I hope it helped you out. I have no idea what the cabin filter or firewall is, but I'll take your word on it that it could make the job easier 😄 This was just a video to show that even with no mechanical knowledge whatsoever and without having to remove parts, the job can still be done

[@ianyoung6829]

Amazing job

[@pointkablan198]

great jop buddy ..thanks for video

[@googoobaby2394]

Great work man 😎

[@2hrsToChooseThis]

I'm having a hard start condition and I'm thinking its the starter. I'll be doing my CCV in a couple weeks and was thinking about removing the intake, so I could to the CCV and starter at the same time hopefully.

[@jusride7]

Great job.

[@sandtautomotive]

The brake booster/resevoir makes this job an even bigger PIA on left-hand drive 2003 325Ci!

[@paulornelas6172]

Awesome job

[@_educatedgenius]

Thanks for the vid.

[@ignacioromero5014]

5 years ago they hadnt made wracheting swivel box wrenches? I'm doing it this way for aure

[@jk-fx6jt]

Just change the starter on my e36 m3 and it was such a pain. My buddy a mechanic he did it in 4 1/2 hours had to take the intake manifold, and a bunch of wires/hoses, dropped the exhaust, heat shield, and tranny just at reach the e12 bolts.. To his credit this is the first time he done it on a bmw (Lexus mechanic) according to him it was not that bad most starter are located in hard to reach places.. Good luck to anyone attempting this themselves..

[@royalrobson28]

j k Well done for attempting it! I couldn't understand why BMW have made it SO difficult to access the bolts, given that a Starter Motor will eventually fail over time and need replaced. I've heard people mention on forums that their garage wont even attempt the job!

[@010FSL101]

do you just slide the starter in and it lines up itself or is there a special way you have to put it on? my starter is making a noise when i start my car after i did a clutch install...now i have to go back in there. I'm gonna try this method first hopefully I'll just have to take it out and put it back in.

[@brianreagan5588]

is the 325 ci the same as the same as a 2003 318i se touring .I have another 99 316i i think its an e 36 or 46 engine blew .will the starter fit the 318?

[@pb3]

I have an e46 my mechanic said he has to lower the transmission , how long will this roughly take ? And is that the fastest way to do it ?

[@simontopspreadplastering5209]

Well I have just taken out the intake manifold on my e46.. I’ve pulled the fucker to bits!! I’m not sure how I’m gonna get the bastard back together!!! I still can’t get the bolts out of the starter!!! The father-in-law told me this was the way to do it!!.. wish I’d seen this video this morning!!!

[@MadMax-cf9uu]

Love you, good job, thanx !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[@jorgeGomez-rl5rk]

es un buen manual. it's a good manual

[@millieevents6277]

Did you remove front bottom was it difficult

[@Bakkeni]

Is this the same for a 323ci 00?..

[@CFITOMAHAWK2]

Guys, This is For the RIGHT SIDE DRIVING CARS. The left side drive cars have the brake booster to make this a PIA. AVoid it.. Take it from below as the manual says..

[@ignacioromero5014]

Seems to me you could remove the other boot, DISA and Throttle body and your golden with this approach

[@dexterjsullen]

i have the same problem but my engine light indicator doesn't come on though (its crank but doesn't come on)

[@royalrobson28]

My Engine Management Light was on during this time due to a misfire that was happening; turned out to be a loose rubber bung that was letting air into the engine.

[@LawrenceHe]

I just finished installing my starter, but when i tested it to my car it doesn't work. Won't start. Won't even make the starting noise or click

[@royalrobson28]

Lawrence He Hi Lawrence. Sure you've established what the problem was by now but I would have suggested checking all the electrical connections to the Starter again and I've also seen a video where someone hooked up their Starter directly to a car battery, just to make sure it actually worked first. If you've installed a new part and it doesn't work, just go over everything you have done in the installation process again; checking all connections/ fittings and the chances are you will locate the problem.

[@hussein5743]

My car is been hit and ever since it only ticks 1 time and won't even attempt to start so I was just guessing it the starter.. I wanted to see where the fuses are but couldn't find them..

[@ivanslavov4836]

what was outcome in your case? I am only getting a single click too. I dont want to do all this work and finding out it is not the starter...

[@dblackkw]

Did you pull the starter out from the bottom of the car or the top sir? Thank you in advance.

[@royalrobson28]

Seem to remember I pulled it out from underneath as there was more wiggle room 🙂

[@mamansouli1540]

wa3ra jiti

[@zacharywilhelmsen]

Was that wrench you used to remove the bolts just a regular wrench or was it made for torx heads. I couldn't tell from the video. You also kept calling it a spanner and I have never heard that before. I am looking to replace my starter as well. Mechanic wants 700 for it and I can find starters for much less.

[@royalrobson28]

It was just a regular wrench i used although i think a torx wrench would work better. I imagine the term 'spanner' is a UK thing Zachary; It's not a particular type of tool or anything, just what everyone else would call a wrench i guess. Hope that clears that up. I was quoted £600 from my local garage to replace the S. Motor, Hence why i did it myself. As long as you can be patient (and have relatively flexible wrists!) you should try give it a go. Best of luck!

[@royalrobson28]

Keith Robson Also see 'James A' comment above about specific tools to use. Very helpful

[@redraven6691]

Has anyone replaced their starter the way that this guy did (without removing the intake manifold) on an all wheel drive automatic transmission? [I heard it was not possible on a 330xi with automatic transmission]

[@smooviesrocks]

I have a 2005 BMW 325ci with automatic transmission and tried the method described in this video but I could not reach the upper bolt holding in the starter. I ended up having to remove the intake manifold to reach the upper bolt.

[@079roland]

I think my hands are to big to get it from the bottom. And my forearms get stuck

[@ramisami1850]

Good job

[@royalrobson28]

rami sami Thanks

[@RonsmooveTI]

+Keith “RoyalRobson” Robson this work e46 2004 325xi?

[@ramisami1850]

thank you sooooooooooooo

[@royalrobson83]

Very welcome

[@chrishastell824]

No way you undid them bolts with just a spanner! I'm struggling so much to get to them let alone undoing them?

[@royalrobson28]

chris hastell - Spanner worked for me. If they're rusted or worn then it might need something with more force. I struggled to get a torque wrench in there. Patience and perseverance goes a long way though..

[@MRBUCKMAN100]

I've tried doing this and found it impossible to do.

[@royalrobson28]

Moncler Flyer It's not an easy job, at all! That's why there are very few videos of people actually attempting it, and virtually none without removing lots of components. Patience and perseverance are key!

[@Photostudioww]

40mind each bolt. Wow. I think taking off the intake might be faster.

[@matthewszostek1819]

You could've jumped the car with 12v through the engine compartment to open the trunk.

[@karlknudson4583]

you could of jumped the poerr to the starter wire under the hood to open the rear deck lid ,..... how many miles did it have before failure ? i have 330,000 on original starter just wondering ?

[@aDigitalSoul]

Does this work with the e90 models?

[@brandonc6856]

Billy Hachem Let me know if you find out, my starter is out and i'm not looking forward to taking the intake out.

[@aDigitalSoul]

It wasn't the starter. My oil separator broke and oil got into the candles so my engine couldn't start anymore.

[@aDigitalSoul]

It was a pain in the ass to get the intake out. Find a cheap mechanic specialized in German cars to do it for you

[@royalrobson28]

Billy Hachem Hi Billy. Unfortunately i wouldn't know if this method is compatible with any other models. This was my first attempt and ultimately a very brave one (I'm stubborn that way!) If anyone does have any doubts about their capabilities of completing the job, consult a mechanic first. Thanks for your comments

[@aDigitalSoul]

Keith Robson It doesn't work. It has been confirmed.

[@Anuhn]

are you sure its e14 and not e12? and you couldn't open your trunk with the key?

[@royalrobson83]

I heard someone say in another video they were using an e14 torx spanner. If in doubt, buy both before you start. Also there is no key hole on the tailgate; it just opens with a solenoid (Not particularly clever whoever thought that one up!)

[@Anuhn]

royalrobson83 I am a bit confused now haha, I have a 2004 325ci e46, is this not the same? or is this the european version? my tailgate has a keyhole to open the trunk

[@royalrobson83]

***** Not too sure if the UK version is different tbh. Unless it's an after market modification. But yeah, the car should be the same; this was on a 2001 325ci e46.

[@captsuburbia]

It is an e12 on the starter bolts. Once you break it loose its easiest to use a 12 point 10 mm to continue to loosen the bolt until it comes out. If you have an e12 socket with some long extensions the lower bolt is quite easy to remove from the bottom. Thanks for the video, this is by far the best method. Too many people say its necessary to remove the intake manifold or the exhaust and drive shaft when you don't need to.

[@royalrobson28]

James A Thanks for this James. Always helpful to know exactly what tools to use. My knowledge of mechanics is amateur at best, and i'm still learning about the terminology behind certain tools and parts. This info will be very helpful to people looking to have a go themselves. Thanks again

[@assida143]

Or you can get a jump now get power to the car

[@pookiejohnson1975]

what's a "jump now"?

[@alexhustrulid6834]

i replace my starter in only 45 minutes .every body do on the wrong way

[@eddiemcwilliams7967]

why not show us? We all would like to know!

[@chandrasingh8292]

was this on a bmw