325i e46 cold start problems

hi guys new to the forum, new to BMWs as well.. i've recently picked up a 325i e46 facelift 2003 with 70k on the clock. runs beatifully until the last few weeks, it will intermittently refuse to start straight away on the 1st start of the day only... i've had to hold the key to crank the engine maybe 5-6 seconds before it'll actually start up, after it does start up though i cant sense anything wrong with it and will start easily from that point on, any ideas? thanks in advanced

bump

Might be that battery is getting old and weak?

Ofcourse cold start in Jakarta doesn't mean same like here in Finland, but often new battery helps about that.

Have the condition of the battery checked. Slow starts are one of the many signs of a failing battery.

yeah when i said cold start i mean when the engine is cold lol, just realised that =P, ok will check the battery, i didnt think that would b an issue coz it turns over and theres no clicking sound like when the battery is completely flat, thanks =)

checked the battery... seems pretty healthy.. i've changed spark plugs and fuel pump before posting this here and problem still persists

Originally Posted by unknown87

checked the battery... seems pretty healthy.. i've changed spark plugs and fuel pump before posting this here and problem still persists

How did you "check the battery"? Did you have it load tested (which is the only test that actually means anything) ?

checked the voltage with engine off, starting and running

Your car still can start, meaning that you're facing just first symptoms so far. Might not see very clear issue, but when it gets worst your car won't start anymore.

this morning it started up fine... went to lunch started up fine, finished lunch and had problems again, was on running temps already so now im even more confused

cold temperatures cause starting problems for a few reasons. the mechanical parts ex. pistons,rods and crank etc are all tighter then if it were warm. so right off the bat it takes more current to start your car. also the cold temperatures tend to drain a battery. these two things will cause the starter to turn over slowly. which in some cases depending on mileage, effects compression while the cylinder is trying to fire. the faster, the less chance of bleed off past the rings etc. if your starter is spinning fast. this usually also means your spark is good and hot. or at least is seeing the correct voltage. from the way your responding it doesn't seem like thats the case. cold temperatures also mess electronic parts that rely on specific voltages. not just positive or negtive signals. like keys with chips in them. so it could be many things. I would suggest that if possible the next really cold day you connect jumper cables from another car to yours and if it starts right away then the problem is battery related.or of course battery connections.. could also be a weak starter struggling to turn over your cold engine. if your car doesn't start immediately then I suggest seeking help from someone with some good electronic troubleshooting abilities.

hmm alright, although the coldest mornings in jakarta is still above 20 deg celcius, and also last night i was sitting in the car with te engine on and after about 15 minutes of idling, AC and cd player on.. the engine shut itself off.. but restarted no problems

well that eliminates the battery being the problem. even if you removed the battery while its running the alternator would keep it running. I would get it to the dealer and check the codes.. it could be so many different things.

Originally Posted by my05crf280

cold temperatures cause starting problems for a few reasons. the mechanical parts ex. pistons,rods and crank etc are all tighter then if it were warm. so right off the bat it takes more current .

Your logic is a bit flawed here. Actually, it`s the other way `round, engine components are at their *loosest* tolerances when cold (they expand as the engine warms up). Cold oil is what puts most of the additional drag on those components.