Weird starting issue... - BMW Forum

ozarkmark · 06-13-2007, 01:41 AM

Occasionally, my 528i will turn over for a few seconds but not crank. If I depress the gas pedal about half way it will start up. Sometimes I need to hold the gas pedal just enough for the idle to set in and everything is fine. This happens about once or twice a month but I always get her running and no problems for several days.
Any ideas on what I need to look at to make sure I don't get stranded?

I did a thorough search and didn't see any post similar to this.

CL30131 · 06-13-2007, 02:45 AM

Maybe something wrong with your "warm-up" (automatic choke) unit. I used to have a 518i with similar issues, especially when cold. Although mechanics wanted to replace it at a cost of half the cars value I never did and just lived with the problem. Does he back-fire during startup as well?

ozarkmark · 06-15-2007, 12:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CL30131

Maybe something wrong with your "warm-up" (automatic choke) unit. I used to have a 518i with similar issues, especially when cold. Although mechanics wanted to replace it at a cost of half the cars value I never did and just lived with the problem. Does he back-fire during startup as well?

Nope, no backfires. Not even a puff of smoke. It is really perplexing but your issue sounds similar. I have an good indy shop I may take it to and see if they can diagnose - if it becomes a regular occurrence. It happens so seldom that I am not really woried about it just yet. I thought I would floa this out there and see if anyone else had something similar.

It may be just a weak battery...it sounds like the starter is sort of weak whenever this happens. I'll kep everyone posted.

Thanks!

CL30131 · 06-15-2007, 05:49 AM

Hmm, well the battery will take a dip when starting takes longer than usual. Just check the acid levels if you wanna be sure. If it's not a regular thing I won't even worry. Regular service/maintanance of the obvious components to keep them in proper working order always reduces the search for a problem. Difficult start-up in my case was many times related to the distributor. I seemed to push the car to hard

, as I went through a distributor and rotor every two years...

sp0rky · 06-16-2007, 02:40 AM

could be a idle control valve or possibly even the beginning of failure of the cam position sensor.

Either of those will eventually set off a check engine light, though.