Funny starting issue

[DRCAGE]

Hello all

So, first attempt at starting (130i), press the button, struggles to turn over, sounds like weak battery, plus a really weird sound that I'm struggling to explain!

Leave it 30 seconds, second go it starts up no problem at all.

It's done this last two times I have started it. (This morning and then after work)

Bit of a long shot, wasn't sure if anyone remembers having a similar issue? The weird sound was very weird....

I have had a rattling (once warm) flywheel since I got the car about a year ago, was thinking it's maybe a sign of imminent implosion?

Apologies for the terrible explanation!

[Eddieslofart]

I wonder if the starter dog is lining up with the flywheel correctly ?

[helix402]

1. Test the battery, properly not just a voltage check. Use a battery tester.

2. Check connections to battery +ve and -ve

3. Check connections to fuse box

4. Is car due +ve cable recall? Not sure if 1 series are affected as well as 3s.

5. If 1-4 are not the cause N52/3 starter motors are now starting to fail.

[xxChrisxx]

The fact it starts the second time suggest that it isn't battery. (easy check so do it anyway)
Is is struggling to turn over, or struggling to fire?

Is it an N53? The latter would be indicative of a high pressure fuel pump issue.

Edited by xxChrisxx on Thursday 30th August 23:10

[DRCAGE]

Eddieslofart said:

I wonder if the starter dog is lining up with the flywheel correctly ?

It does feel like it would/could be something strange like this.

[DRCAGE]

helix402 said:

1. Test the battery, properly not just a voltage check. Use a battery tester.

2. Check connections to battery +ve and -ve

3. Check connections to fuse box

4. Is car due +ve cable recall? Not sure if 1 series are affected as well as 3s.

5. If 1-4 are not the cause N52/3 starter motors are now starting to fail.

Will make sure to go over these all later, but you reminded me with number 4! It is due the recall, maybe this gets me to the front of the queue!

[DRCAGE]

xxChrisxx said:

The fact it starts the second time suggest that it isn't battery. (easy check so do it anyway)
Is is struggling to turn over, or struggling to fire?

Is it an N53? The latter would be indicative of a high pressure fuel pump issue.

Edited by xxChrisxx on Thursday 30th August 23:10

Definitely struggling to turn over, with additional weird sound!

It's an N52 so no common fuel pump issues as far as I know, but I didn't even consider it could fueling related, or similar, hmm maybe!

[Mike335i]

Is the weird noise like a scraping / scratching noise as it fires up?

Dealer reckoned that I needed a new £600 starter motor when mine did it, but it is so infrequent that I am not bothering yet. Starts every time without fail so not worried.

I think rattling flywheels are a thing with these, mine has done it for years and the dealer and specialist both say its normal. Check to see if it gets worse over time. Mine hasn't. Apparently new clutch and flywheel will cure it temporarily, but it comes back.

[DRCAGE]

Mike335i said:

Is the weird noise like a scraping / scratching noise as it fires up?

Dealer reckoned that I needed a new £600 starter motor when mine did it, but it is so infrequent that I am not bothering yet. Starts every time without fail so not worried.

I think rattling flywheels are a thing with these, mine has done it for years and the dealer and specialist both say its normal. Check to see if it gets worse over time. Mine hasn't. Apparently new clutch and flywheel will cure it temporarily, but it comes back.

I think it was something like that, but I can't remember now because it has temporarily fixed itself!

I think I will follow your plan and see how it goes!

And yep they definitely are a thing on these! Mine does sound really rough sometimes when warm, I actually bought the parts about 6months back and still haven't got round to fitting them.

Thanks for the reply

[Mike335i]

No worries. I will try and remember to update if there is any change in mine, but it hasn't in the last 18months or so.