URGENT HELP!! Car struggles to turn on.

C S · 10-02-2016, 02:00 PM

Hi everyone

I have a 2013 F30 auto xdrive 320i.

I use the car weekly but only do around 30 miles per week.

This afternoon I attempted to turn on my car but is struggled. It would not turn on the first 3 times I pressed on the Start Button (of course with my foot on the brake) and the speedo mph needle would only slightly move and it would simply die.

The electrics and the idrive seemed to work fine when I jumped in. Only on the 4th time that I pressed the Start Button it finally turned on. The car in (D) would move but it felt as if it wanted to turn on as if I was driving a Manual car.

I did around 80 miles on the motorway yesterday so in theory the battery should have alright juice.

I have noticed in the last few weeks that on turning on the car it struggled to turn on with an ugly sounding choking sound.

Thanks.

C S

alpine330D · 10-02-2016, 03:09 PM

I'd be swapping that battery first of all mate. They can do funny things when just on the cusp, and don't always charge correctly on a run when they're on their way out.

Watsey · 10-02-2016, 03:30 PM

For now, sounds like you need a jump start.

Short journeys place additional demands on the battery, and when the vehicle is not being used the battery can generate sulphation albeit less so than lead acid units.

Then I'd get a decent charger and give the battery a full cycle. Several modern chargers have a desulphation mode which can improve battery efficiency and lifespan.

I've recently bought this use this unit and it works well. It has an AGM mode suitable for the Absorbed Glass Mat batteries used by BMW.

CTEK MXS 5.0 Battery Charger with Automatic Temperature Compensation https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B00FC42H..._rYw8xbVAA4519

C S · 10-03-2016, 01:34 PM

Thank you both for your reply.

I went to halfords for a free car Volt Drop Test and was told that my battery is working perfectly and that it appears that I have a problem with my alternator or starter motor.

I guess I will be dropping off the car at BMW.

C S

Watsey · 10-03-2016, 03:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by C S

Thank you both for your reply.

I went to halfords for a free car Volt Drop Test and was told that my battery is working perfectly and that it appears that I have a problem with my alternator or starter motor.

I guess I will be dropping off the car at BMW.

C S

No lights on the dash ? Low alternator output should throw up a warning.

C S · 10-03-2016, 04:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Watsey

No lights on the dash ? Low alternator output should throw up a warning.

No lights at all om the dash, I also checked on the on-board computer via the idrive (Professional Sat Nav) and nothing is coming up and the vehicle check is saying everything is ok.

C S

creepy coupe · 10-04-2016, 02:33 AM

Lift pump?

C S · 10-04-2016, 02:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by creepy coupe

Lift pump?

I did think that and now it does make more sense that it could be that, BMW have sent someone to check the vehicle later this morning.

Only thing is that if it was the fuel pump wouldn't that mean that the car would never turn on?

I managed to get it to Halfords yesterday some 3 miles away and after the car was warm it turns on fine, its only the following day that I have the problem of it not starting straight away.

C S

creepy coupe · 10-04-2016, 03:36 AM

It has a lift pump to prime the system and then the HP pump to feed the injectors. I'm wondering if the lift pump is working intermittently. I had a similar thing on an E92 335i where the lift pump started packing up.

C S · 10-16-2016, 06:53 PM

Hi guys

I have had the car back from BMW for over a week now and the problem has been fixed.

The problem was that the car would not turn on at the first press of the Start Button as the car would crank but would not start until the 5th or 6th attempt.

They did check the fuel pump, the lift pump, the camshaft sensor, start up motor, alternator or battery problem but everything was working fine.

It was fixed after they did a software update and reset the ECU which also deleted all my in car settings.

I did pay the £250 excess as I have the Extended Warranty but they also replaced some odd bits which was a plus!

I was also told that several customers have had the same problem with the N20 engine which is resolved with simply a software update and ECU reset.

C S

creepy coupe · 10-17-2016, 10:19 AM

Great news you now have it sorted.

C S · 10-18-2016, 08:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by creepy coupe

Great news you now have it sorted.

Thanks creepy coupe!

The car now drives as it should.

I also had the actual shift auto stick/knob and the Shift Gear Command Module replaced as it was beeping and blinking each time I changed gear.

C S

10-02-2016, 02:00 PM	#1
C S Enlisted Member 9 Rep 30 Posts Drives: BMW F30 Join Date: Sep 2015 Location: London iTrader: (0)	URGENT HELP!! Car struggles to turn on. Hi everyone I have a 2013 F30 auto xdrive 320i. I use the car weekly but only do around 30 miles per week. This afternoon I attempted to turn on my car but is struggled. It would not turn on the first 3 times I pressed on the Start Button (of course with my foot on the brake) and the speedo mph needle would only slightly move and it would simply die. The electrics and the idrive seemed to work fine when I jumped in. Only on the 4th time that I pressed the Start Button it finally turned on. The car in (D) would move but it felt as if it wanted to turn on as if I was driving a Manual car. I did around 80 miles on the motorway yesterday so in theory the battery should have alright juice. I have noticed in the last few weeks that on turning on the car it struggled to turn on with an ugly sounding choking sound. Thanks. C S
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10-02-2016, 03:09 PM	#2
alpine330D Second Lieutenant 47 Rep 201 Posts Drives: F36 430D GC Join Date: Mar 2015 Location: United Kingdom iTrader: (0)	I'd be swapping that battery first of all mate. They can do funny things when just on the cusp, and don't always charge correctly on a run when they're on their way out.
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10-02-2016, 03:30 PM	#3
Watsey Major General 6431 Rep 8,504 Posts Drives: F31 330D sDrive M Sport Join Date: Jun 2015 Location: On sabbatical. iTrader: (1)	For now, sounds like you need a jump start. Short journeys place additional demands on the battery, and when the vehicle is not being used the battery can generate sulphation albeit less so than lead acid units. Then I'd get a decent charger and give the battery a full cycle. Several modern chargers have a desulphation mode which can improve battery efficiency and lifespan. I've recently bought this use this unit and it works well. It has an AGM mode suitable for the Absorbed Glass Mat batteries used by BMW. CTEK MXS 5.0 Battery Charger with Automatic Temperature Compensation https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B00FC42H..._rYw8xbVAA4519 __________________ Current : F31 330sD, remapped, Ohlins Road & Track, Millway camber plates, Quaife LSD, Stoptech brakes + Pagid RSL1 pads all round, Weichers front strut brace, Eibach front & rear anti-roll bars, Michelin MP4S.
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10-03-2016, 01:34 PM	#4
C S Enlisted Member 9 Rep 30 Posts Drives: BMW F30 Join Date: Sep 2015 Location: London iTrader: (0)	Thank you both for your reply. I went to halfords for a free car Volt Drop Test and was told that my battery is working perfectly and that it appears that I have a problem with my alternator or starter motor. I guess I will be dropping off the car at BMW. C S
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10-04-2016, 02:33 AM	#7
creepy coupe Lieutenant General 1868 Rep 13,043 Posts Drives: BMW M340I G20 Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: UK iTrader: (2) Garage List 2015 BMW 435d [0.00] 2009 335i [0.00]	Lift pump? __________________ -------------------------------------------------------------- Current car.M240i. Previous.MINI JCW. E92 325i. 435d M235i.M135i. 635d Coupe, E92 M3 manual, E92 M3 DCT Competition Pack. E92 335i, Porsche Cayman S Gen2, 135i Coupe. E92 320d, MK5 R32. MK5 Golf GTi,MK5 Golf GT-TDI,E46 318Ci.
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10-04-2016, 03:36 AM	#9
creepy coupe Lieutenant General 1868 Rep 13,043 Posts Drives: BMW M340I G20 Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: UK iTrader: (2) Garage List 2015 BMW 435d [0.00] 2009 335i [0.00]	It has a lift pump to prime the system and then the HP pump to feed the injectors. I'm wondering if the lift pump is working intermittently. I had a similar thing on an E92 335i where the lift pump started packing up. __________________ -------------------------------------------------------------- Current car.M240i. Previous.MINI JCW. E92 325i. 435d M235i.M135i. 635d Coupe, E92 M3 manual, E92 M3 DCT Competition Pack. E92 335i, Porsche Cayman S Gen2, 135i Coupe. E92 320d, MK5 R32. MK5 Golf GTi,MK5 Golf GT-TDI,E46 318Ci.
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10-16-2016, 06:53 PM	#10
C S Enlisted Member 9 Rep 30 Posts Drives: BMW F30 Join Date: Sep 2015 Location: London iTrader: (0)	Hi guys I have had the car back from BMW for over a week now and the problem has been fixed. The problem was that the car would not turn on at the first press of the Start Button as the car would crank but would not start until the 5th or 6th attempt. They did check the fuel pump, the lift pump, the camshaft sensor, start up motor, alternator or battery problem but everything was working fine. It was fixed after they did a software update and reset the ECU which also deleted all my in car settings. I did pay the £250 excess as I have the Extended Warranty but they also replaced some odd bits which was a plus! I was also told that several customers have had the same problem with the N20 engine which is resolved with simply a software update and ECU reset. C S
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10-17-2016, 10:19 AM	#11
creepy coupe Lieutenant General 1868 Rep 13,043 Posts Drives: BMW M340I G20 Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: UK iTrader: (2) Garage List 2015 BMW 435d [0.00] 2009 335i [0.00]	Great news you now have it sorted. __________________ -------------------------------------------------------------- Current car.M240i. Previous.MINI JCW. E92 325i. 435d M235i.M135i. 635d Coupe, E92 M3 manual, E92 M3 DCT Competition Pack. E92 335i, Porsche Cayman S Gen2, 135i Coupe. E92 320d, MK5 R32. MK5 Golf GTi,MK5 Golf GT-TDI,E46 318Ci.
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