New Ignition Switch?

The other morning my 2003 530i wouldn't start. The car had electricity, the starter was working, I smelled gas, but the engine just didn't grab. Finally, after about 20 minutes of trying and feeling like the car was a push away from grabbing, I just kept turning the ignition and finally the engine grabbed. Since then the car has been starting fine.

Brought it my dealer, and they tell me they don't see anything wrong with the camshaft positioning sensor, the fuel pump, or the fuel filter. The car shows a code for a failed ignition switch. The dealer says it's probably a failed ignition switch.

Has anyone else experienced anything like this? Could it be a failed ignition switch?

Much thanks.

where did you smell gas at? cabin or outside?

if it was in the cabin, you need to check fuel distribution (assuming fuel pump had been checked properly)

Outside. Just generally in the air. I chalked it up to having to crank the engine for so long before it grabbed.

It's not the switch, it was flooded.

Jim,

I don't think so. Not unless the car could become flooded sitting over night. It was in the morning, first thing, that I tried to start it. It didn't start. I understand that it could have become flooded with the amount of times I tried to get it started and the length of time I cranked it. But, no flooding should have caused the problem in the first instance. Especially not with an "ignition switch" code. Thanks, though.

I just got a 530i 2005 I am just trying to see if you connect your phone to the car can you play your music

2003 does not have Bluetooth so I wouldn't know.

Jaasher, never seen a code for an ignition switch before. Did they tell you what the actual code was? Maybe a DIS xx number on your paperwork from the dealer.
If you continue to have starting problems do you know how to replace the switch? It's very easy to do, about a $50 part.

Originally Posted by jaasher

Jim,

I don't think so. Not unless the car could become flooded sitting over night. It was in the morning, first thing, that I tried to start it. It didn't start. I understand that it could have become flooded with the amount of times I tried to get it started and the length of time I cranked it. But, no flooding should have caused the problem in the first instance. Especially not with an "ignition switch" code. Thanks, though.

The question is what did the car do the night before you put it away?

Replace the ignition switch, just in case.

you might need to check the computer unit. sometimes, it's a simple error in ECU where you can just have to clean up with proper spray

what i'm trying to say is that check all the simpler possibilities first before you start to throw some money for changing parts