The E34 BMW 5 Series was the fourth generation 5 Series and replaced the E28 generation of this model. Though the E34 5 Series is overall a very well engineered car, like any model, the starters can fail occasionally on them, leaving the vehicle inoperable. Rather than paying a mechanic several hundred dollars to replace the starter, owners who are interested in saving some money can do the job themselves with the proper tools.
Park the car in a flat, well lit area. Disconnect the negative batter cable from the battery. Lift the front of the vehicle with a floor jack and lower it onto jack stand. Alternatively, you can pull the front of the car up onto ramps to access the starter, since the wheels do not need to be removed for this job.
Locate the reinforcing bar that bolts to the chassis between the engine and the gearbox, just behind the engine’s oil pan. Remove the two bolts that hold the bar to the car on either end with a socket and a ratchet. Set the bar aside.
Remove the bolts that hold the metal cover on that protects the fuel line where they run through this area of the car. Remove the cover. Pull the fuel lines off of the bracket that holds them in place. Pull the line off for the reverse light switch from the bracket. These are simply unclipped by hand.
Remove the bolt that holds the wires that go to the starter onto the starter. Pull the wires off of the starter. Remove the bolt from the reinforcing bracket that supports the weight of the starter. Remove the upper and lower bolts that hold the starter to the gearbox with a socket. Pull the starter away from the gearbox.
Install the new starter in the reverse of removal, ensuring that the teeth on the starter engage with the teeth on the flywheel. Install the upper and lower bolts. Reinstall the bolt that fastens the reinforcing bracket to the starter. Reinstall the wires on the starter connections in the proper orientation.
Press the fuel lines back onto their bracket. Press the reverse light switch line back onto the bracket. Reinstall the protective plate for the fuel lines. Reinstall the reinforcing bar between the engine and gearbox. Reconnect the battery and lower the vehicle back to the ground.
