Traction relay — checking, removal and installation (BMW 7 Series E32)

If the traction relay is faulty, the gear in the starter will not engage with the flywheel ring gear, i.e. the starter will not be able to turn the engine. This fault is more common than electrical faults in the starter itself.

Check in installed state

Shift the transmission into neutral.

Using an auxiliary wire, short-circuit contacts 30 (for thick wire) and 50 (for thin wire from ignition switch) — the starter pinion should move forward (click) and the starter should engage. If this does not happen, disconnect the starter and replace the solenoid relay.

Removal

Remove the starter and repeat the test on the removed starter using the battery. An auxiliary wire for starting the engine can be used as a wire to contact 30. If the pinion moves forward and the starter does not work, then have the starter checked at a workshop.

If the gear does not move forward, remove the solenoid relay (F) and replace it.

Installation

Installation is carried out in the reverse order of removal.

[The article text was copied from an online resource «BMWMan.ru»]