Mr_Beemer Posted September 3, 2013 Report Share Posted September 3, 2013 Hello, I've had my 2001 325ci for a few weeks now and am beggining to get a bit annoyed by the fact that it rarely starts on the first attempt - it generally always starts on the second attempt! When it does start up its fine, no juddering or anything. Usually on the first attempt to start it will judder and cut out fairly quickly - less than 5 seconds. I dont take the key out, just turn it all the way back and then back up to start the car and it starts up fine. I have changed the battery recently so I know this is fine. From what I have read it could be the starter motor - although this sounds strong and always starts second time. The other issues I have read that could cause this are possibly fuelling related - or the crankshaft position sensor. I was wondering if anyone else has a similar experience and if there is anything I can do to further diagnose the issue. Dont have a fault code reader of my own, my friend has an OBD II - would this work for me identify the problem? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Quiksilver_TR Posted September 3, 2013 Report Share Posted September 3, 2013 Is the fuel pump priming fully on the first turn of the key before you attempt to turn it over? Does it prime on the second attempt? You may have a blocked fuel filter, which could be worth a change. Unless a fuelling issue is to do with the Injectors it probably wont show up on a generic ODB code reader. The crankshaft or camshaft sensor could be breaking down, but you might notice some driving or idling issues with those day to day. Not got experience of these breaking down on the BM engines yet. These should be seen on a code reader I would have thought, but for peace of mind id probably find someone local who has INPA that wouldnt mind plugging it in for you to check sensor readings/feedback etc and also to give it a diagnostics. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mr_Beemer Posted September 3, 2013 Author Report Share Posted September 3, 2013 Hello Quicksilver_TR, I'm pretty sure the pump is priming - will have a more careful listen for this later today. I'm having the fuel filter changed on Saturday as part of a service - the car has done 57k from new and dont think the fuel filter has ever been changed. I'm gonna check the spark plugs at the same time. I dont have any idling issues with the car, once its running its absolutely fine - so would that mean its nothing to do with the crankshaft sensor? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mit Posted September 3, 2013 Report Share Posted September 3, 2013 Fuel pump, fuel filter possibly... Get a diagnostic. It should be the first thing you do whenever you have a problem. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mr_Beemer Posted September 3, 2013 Author Report Share Posted September 3, 2013 Is there a good - relatively cheap diagnostic tool that you could recommend? As I mentioned, I have use of an OBD II but didnt think they work on early E46's? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Quiksilver_TR Posted September 3, 2013 Report Share Posted September 3, 2013 Here is the list of people that already have INPA/NCS etc if youd rather someone have a look and show you the tools before spending money on diagnotics software http://www.e46zone.com/forum/topic/32916-location-of-members-with-inpagt1-etc/page-6 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
simonlpearce Posted September 3, 2013 Report Share Posted September 3, 2013 Have you got a spare key? If it starts and runs then cuts out it almost sounds as if the immobiliser is kicking in, so maybe its not registering the transponder in the key very well. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mr_Beemer Posted September 3, 2013 Author Report Share Posted September 3, 2013 I did think it could be immobiliser related - had a similar issue on an old Ford Probe! Thing is the car is a bit spluttery when if starts on the first attempt and then it just dies - doesnt fully come to life. The second time if starts up perfectly on the turn of the key! The car actually didnt come with a spare key I need to get one - have found someone on Ebay that does them in East London, planning to pay him a visit! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
marc l Posted September 3, 2013 Report Share Posted September 3, 2013 Hi mate sorry I can't help with your problem but have u got a link to the company in east London that sells the keys? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
simonlpearce Posted September 3, 2013 Report Share Posted September 3, 2013 I did think it could be immobiliser related - had a similar issue on an old Ford Probe! Thing is the car is a bit spluttery when if starts on the first attempt and then it just dies - doesnt fully come to life. The second time if starts up perfectly on the turn of the key! The car actually didnt come with a spare key I need to get one - have found someone on Ebay that does them in East London, planning to pay him a visit! Hi mate sorry I can't help with your problem but have u got a link to the company in east London that sells the keys? I would be wary about getting keys done anywhere other than the dealer, as your basically giving a stranger free access to your car and they could easily make themself a copy! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mit Posted September 3, 2013 Report Share Posted September 3, 2013 You have to get keys from the dealer. If you found someone who does spare keys they will probably be blank keys with no transponder (you usually have to transfer it out of your old key) so be careful what you're buying. As for the diagnostic, just go to an independent specialist if you can't find anyone who will do it for free. They won't charge more than about £20. BMTechnic cables are supposed to be quite good, so maybe get one of those. Unfortunately BMWs aren't cars you can run on the cheap. No OBD car is really, because there are so many sensors and things that can go wrong, and half the time you might not even get anything come up in a diagnostic either! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mit Posted September 3, 2013 Report Share Posted September 3, 2013 would be wary about getting keys done anywhere other than the dealer, as your basically giving a stranger free access to your car and they could easily make themself a copy! Really? Is it worth a locksmith's time and money to make a copy of a key for a knackered old car? What will they do with it? Steal your car? If they do, the problem in the OP is solved anyway Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
simonlpearce Posted September 3, 2013 Report Share Posted September 3, 2013 would be wary about getting keys done anywhere other than the dealer, as your basically giving a stranger free access to your car and they could easily make themself a copy! Really? Is it worth a locksmith's time and money to make a copy of a key for a knackered old car? What will they do with it? Steal your car? If they do, the problem in the OP is solved anyway Just because we see them as knackered and old doesn't mean some pikey will do, they will do anything to make a quick buck even if it doesn mean they just use the key to drive it to the scrappy, lol. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mr_Beemer Posted September 3, 2013 Author Report Share Posted September 3, 2013 (edited) This is the link for the spare key - lots of good feedback: http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/300945743701?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1423.l2649#ht_1911wt_1142 Edited September 3, 2013 by Mr_Beemer Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
