Ture the Key, nothing... no sound ,no start

[cpuken]

I've owned this 95 318ti for about 8 months and this has happend to me about a dozen times. Usually, I just return the key to the lock position and retry and most of the time, the car cranks and starts. Once in a blue moon, I have to try it a third time. I'm not sure what's going on and in fact I had forgoten about it until a potential buyer came by to have a look at the car a few days ago. Not the greatest selling point when the guy turns the key and nothing happens. I'm not sure he even tried it a 2nd time!! A few minutes later my mechanic (where the car is parked) came out and the car cranked and started fine for hime.
Any ideas what this might be? Why is it when I go to sell a car that stuff starts happening?
Ken

[jrhaile]

starter? from the sounds of it, it sounds like it's your started going out... but from my experience with cars, a started doesn't slowly die, it just dies... i could be wrong though...

[El Presidente]

what was the tempurature outside?

The starter in the e36 is closer to the headers than one would like, and if the car has been running for awhile, especially on a hot day, then the starter wont always work. Like you said, it usually will on the second try and always the third. I have this problem on my car usually once every two-three weeks in the summer, but never in the winter.

[Zq-8_dawg]

if it is a manual did he have the clutch pushed all the way in?? on my 98 318ti I tried to start it with out the clutch in, so I pushed the clutch in and didn't key offwent to crank won't crank, so I turned it to the full off position pushed the clutch in and it started. I tried this several times and it seems not to after the 1st attempt unless the ignition is fully keyed off.

[El Presidente]

the clutch in the e36 doesn't have to be in to start if the car is in N.

[camnipotent]

It does for me. I'll check to make sure, but I am quite positive my clutch needs to be depressed.

[El Presidente]

hmm. Mine doesnt. odd.

[brosnan6]

Originally posted by El Presidente@May 4 2004, 02:15 PM
the clutch in the e36 doesn't have to be in to start if the car is in N.

Yes it does, my 98 318ti will not start without it.

[cardio]

Yea that happens to me a lot, i dont think its anything wrong, just the ignition doesn't catch, the key just turns but doesn't start the car, i wouldn't worry about it mine has always done that, only a problem if your tryin to sell it

[BeemerMan]

Damnit I've been posting the same shit about my car, and i believe someone else has too. Damn repost's. lol j/k. My car is doing the same thing, and i believe it to be the fuel pump. Why is everyone's car doing this?

Must replace fuel pump soon!

[cpuken]

Mine is an automatic and temp. doesn't seem to be a factor...

Thanks for all the input so far. But you are correct, bummer when this happens and you are trying to sell your Bimmer.

Ken

[thekid]

Originally posted by El Presidente@May 4 2004, 02:15 PM
the clutch in the e36 doesn't have to be in to start if the car is in N.

MY car will start in any gear with out clutch... I thought the same thing...

[El Presidente]

it might be an OBDI and OBDII thing. All of you saying it has to be in gear seem to have OBDII.

So, I revise my statement: The clutch in the OBDI e36 doesn't have to be in to start if the car is in N.

[thekid]

Originally posted by El Presidente@May 5 2004, 01:42 AM
it might be an OBDI and OBDII thing. All of you saying it has to be in gear seem to have OBDII.

So, I revise my statement: The clutch in the OBDI e36 doesn't have to be in to start if the car is in N.

I beg to differ. Park some where with nothign behind you and put the car in revers then take your foot off of the clutch and turn the key. Bruised the hell outta a girls arm because she was getting out, and I turned the key to close the sun roof and turned it too far but wasn't concerned because it wont start right? WRONG. She got nailed with the door as the car jumped backwards.

[El Presidente]

yeah, the car will jump if its in gear, R or otherwise. But when in Neutral the clutch doesnt matter.