How do you change the starter on a e46 BMW?

Answer 1

NOTE. these starters are difficult to do, first thing is disconnect the neg. battery cable, next, open the hood and near the engine firewall you want to remove the complete micro air filter assembly, and the filter holder itself from the firewall, 4 t30 bolts bolt it to the fire wall, next, remove the plastic cover on firewall that covers up the ac blower assembly, 2 t30 torx bolts , twist and pull the cover off, now you should be able to look down the back of the engine and see the starter. the starter is located under the intake manifold, there are two e12 inverted torx bolts that bolt the starter to the bell housing. both bolts go in same direction. get a e12 long wrench and you should be able to sneak the wrench down behind the engine and remove the top starter bolt, this is a very tight fit and make sure you take your time. next raise the vehicle up and go underneith the vehicle, which ever works best for you and trans type (auto, man) you might need a long extension but remove the lower e12 torx under the car. remove the 2 small wires on starter, and two large cables on starter. (make note on how cables are ran before you remove them), (4 wires in total), starter may be seized into bell housing by a dowel pin. just get a very long 3/8 ixtension and place it against the solenoid or any other hard part on the starter and hit the extension with a hammer until the starter breaks free from bell housing (transmission). remove the starter from under the car. replace starter, and secure cables first, then start both bolts, once both bolts are started, snug them both up equally and tighten up, reassembly vehicle, and start car. good luck. adam.