Claresecl!:...

[tommyd]

I read about your ignition problem in another thread and it sounds like the same issue i've been having.
Can you confirm that your symptoms are the same?

1. car cranks but will not turn over on first try
2. once the car is running, generally no problems... no other issues.
3. occurs very intermittently (3 times in the last 2 months for me)

I've brought my car in twice for this problem. No error log was generated so they replaced the fuel filter "to see if that would do it".

About a month later, had one incident of uneven revving and jerking while driving and rough idling at stop... which lasted about 15 minutes. Crank sensor replaced.

Since then, i've had those 3 incidents of the car not starting in the last two months, so the problem (though very intermittent) is still there.

Can you keep me updated on what you've tried in getting this fixed? ...and i'll do the same here.

thx

[Nick325xiT 5spd]

I suspect the cam/crank position sensor issue is separate, FWIW.

Honestly, I wonder if this is even an issue... It's not like it's all that rare for a car to fail to turn over on the first try.

[tommyd]

I suspect the cam/crank position sensor issue is separate, FWIW.

Honestly, I wonder if this is even an issue... It's not like it's all that rare for a car to fail to turn over on the first try.


Really? I have never.. e-e-e-e-ver experienced it in any of my previous cars, family cars, friends cars... can't even say i've heard of anyone else having a similar experience without having something 'broken'
:dunno:
...er.. i thnk there's something wrong with your car dude... :rofl:

I think the problems were unrelated as well, as it's obviously not fixed...

[Nick325xiT 5spd]

:dunno:

[Claresecl]

I brought it in last week. No error codes on mine, either. The SA called BMW because he could not replicate the problem (of course). They told him to adjust some computer setting (don't know what, but I'll look on my paperwork), which they did. I went to start the car later on that day br-br-br-br-br-br-broooooom. The adjustment clearly did not do the trick. I have not brought it back in, but probably will. I'll keep you posted.

I would agree that it is not unusual for a car to start first turn over ever time. However, I submit that a brand new car should start first turn over more times than not. Furthermore, I never had to crank the engine on any other new car I have ever owned. Additionally, I am concerned with how the car will start once the cold weather hits.

[tommyd]

ditto...

When i called to ask the first time, my SA told me "the car should definitely NOT be doing that, it's brand new" and told me to bring it in right away...

i probably won't rush it since the problem is so intermittent for me and there are no other symptoms, but i'll keep you posted on what the service guys try...

:thumbup:

[SB330CI]

I had my Crankshaft sensor replaced on similar issues.

Car wouldn't start on a couple occasions since spring, and it would happen more often as summer and heat was there. the problem was that the freaking check engine light wouldn't come on, and the next time I would start, the problem would go away.

One morning, while starting up the car, the problem happens and the engine light finally came on, drove to the dealer, explained problem, took them a while to find the issue, so I drive back to work, and bam Check engine light comes back up, go back to dealer, and it seems like they put the wrong sensor in!!.. but it apparently it was the crankshaft sensor.

Well that's what they told me, and it since fixed the problem for me.

[Claresecl]

I had my Crankshaft sensor replaced on similar issues.



Thanks! I've taken note of this, and will have my SA check to see if that is the problem.

[tommyd]

Thanks! I've taken note of this, and will have my SA check to see if that is the problem.


I had my crank sensor replaced... (we're talking the same thing?)..

it's still happening...

[Claresecl]

I had my crank sensor replaced... (we're talking the same thing?)..

it's still happening...

You did say that in your first post. I have great observation abilities, as you can tell.

[tommyd]

Just got my car back...

Dealer kept for two days... could not reproduce the problem...
They called BMW for troubleshooting (BMW has a troubleshooting line for it's mechanics? That's pretty kool...) and replaced my fuel pressure regulator which also houses the fuel filter which had been replaced the first time.

Keeping my fingers crossed that the problems gone!... but the SA told me not to hesitate if it happened again and make an appointment immediately.

[Claresecl]

Just got my car back...

Dealer kept for two days... could not reproduce the problem...
They called BMW for troubleshooting (BMW has a troubleshooting line for it's mechanics? That's pretty kool...) and replaced my fuel pressure regulator which also houses the fuel filter which had been replaced the first time.

Keeping my fingers crossed that the problems gone!... but the SA told me not to hesitate if it happened again and make an appointment immediately.

Thanks for the update. I look forward to hearing that this has resolved the problem!

[Claresecl]

Ugh! My car wouldn't start this morning. I was out of town on business since Monday, but had a friend start my car for me while I was away. This morning, it refused to start.

On the first try, it caught, but stalled right away. When I went to try again, it just kept cranking. I went in and called roadside assistance. Went back out, turned the key - it caught but stalled right away again, then it would not catch. I let it sit for a few minutes and tried again - same thing. Decided to try one more time a few minutes later, and it finally started. It ran very rough for the first few minutes.

I called my dealer and asked whether my car fell under the recall (which I know it does, though I did not receive a letter). The service receptionist told me that they completed the recall service on my car in October. That was when I first brought it in for the starter problem, and obviously it has not been fixed. I'm bringing it back in on Monday.

I have never had this much trouble with any car I have owned before. Even my Geo Metro started on the first try every time. I can't help but be disappointed by this.

[Salvator]

My car wouldn't start and / or ran badly last year, and finally my check engine light came on... They replaced two of my coils... No problem since, other than the morning of the first really cold day, ran a little rough for a mile or so...

[sfry]

Did anyone ever find the root cause for the starting problem?
I'm seeing the same issue:

Engine cranks fine but won't start
Wait for an hour
Car starts right up

I took it to the dealership today, no problem found :-(

This has happened twice now in the last 6 weeks.

Thanks!

[Claresecl]

Did anyone ever find the root cause for the starting problem?
I'm seeing the same issue:

Engine cranks fine but won't start
Wait for an hour
Car starts right up

I took it to the dealership today, no problem found :-(

This has happened twice now in the last 6 weeks.

Thanks!

Unfortunately, I never did find out what was really wrong with my car. I took it to the dealorship after the last time it happened, and they changed the battery (again). I ended up getting rid of the car :(

Hopefully, you will have better results.

[sfry]

It turns out there is a fuel pump in the gas tank that was faulty.
It was only found once the pump failed completely.
The dealer replaced this and the problem has been gone for several months
now. If I recall correctly the repair bill from the dealer was around $1500.