3.5m not starting

It has only happened twice. Car will crank over but not fire up. It happened after a short 8 mile drive. I shut off car, fuelled up would not fire up. Motor spins over great, it fires for one milli second then continues cranking. The first time I shook the power cables on the battery and it started. The second time that wouldn't do it. I ended up shaking the power wires under the hood and it started. Just wondering if anyone else has had same gitch

Do you have a 2011-12? or was this meant to be posted in the previous generation X3 forum?

He says a 3.5 M (whatever the M is for) so kind of makes me think it is a new one. However if it is, then he should take it back to the dealer quick time and get it fixed and not try to deal with it alone.

It's a 2011, Dealer thought it was fixed when faulty steering rack was replaced, it was causing all kinds of electrical issues. It only happens when it's -25c or colder. Dealer is over 3 hours away. Just wondering if anyone else has had simular issue.

You are going to have to take it in. Is that the nearest authorized dealer, or just the one you bought the car from? If there are other BMW stores closer then you can go there as any BMW service center can do warranty (and that is what this is) repairs. If you can "cure" the problem by "shaking" wires then it sounds like some sort of electric connectivity issue (i.e. short) to me and really needs to be resolved. This is a brand new car, it needs to work right -- you paid for it!

Originally Posted by 04prox2

It's a 2011, Dealer thought it was fixed when faulty steering rack was replaced, it was causing all kinds of electrical issues. It only happens when it's -25c or colder. Dealer is over 3 hours away. Just wondering if anyone else has had simular issue.

No, never, TAKE IT To The DEALER pronto, 3 hrs away or not.

You knew where the dealer was went you bought it.

I had it a dealership for a medical and after extensive testing no codes or other symptoms showed as usual car runs fine. Dealer was great but it's hard to fix whats not broken.

Got the word the other I'm not the only one. No fix as of yet.

Just a random thought, but you have a 35i -- I wonder if it could be HPFP related? There was a series of problems with those in the recent past. Keep your eye on it and if it happens again you know where to take it!

Originally Posted by UncleJ

Just a random thought, but you have a 35i -- I wonder if it could be HPFP related? There was a series of problems with those in the recent past. Keep your eye on it and if it happens again you know where to take it!

Wrong engine: N54 versus the N55 (which isn't known for the HPFP issue).

Originally Posted by Highmodulus

Wrong engine: N54 versus the N55 (which isn't known for the HPFP issue).

It might not be "known" for them, but that doesn't mean anything. There are plenty of people having issues with the n55 too.

Originally Posted by UncleJ

Just a random thought, but you have a 35i -- I wonder if it could be HPFP related? There was a series of problems with those in the recent past. Keep your eye on it and if it happens again you know where to take it!

I always knew where to take it! This problem will surface in every 35i, just depends on climate

Originally Posted by 04prox2

I always knew where to take it! This problem will surface in every 35i, just depends on climate

I really doubt that.

Originally Posted by No12

I really doubt that.

14 Just in the Edmonton area alone. They think they got it, new power distribution box was recommended. First -20 day and problem reared up again.

problem finally solved PCM was changed out everything works fine only took a year to solve.