Help please! My 320 auto coupe 2000 trouble starting!

[dannyb67]

Hi,

I went to go out in it tonight, went to start it...heard a straining noise from the heating system/air con i think which hasnt been working for past couple of weeks either. so i turned heating off as it comes on first level everytime i turn ignition.

went to turn car on and it turned over 4/5 time but didnt fire. 6th time it eventually started after struggling again, however it was chugging and faint noise came from engine. after driving it for about 30 second it went back to normal and has started first time no problems after that.

there was 40 mile petrol left in tank apparantly and I was parked on a flat drive.

Also the light indicating that rear lights or break ligts are out keeps coming on even though all lights are fine, and the yellow oil light keeps appearing now and then and the oil is also at a good level and car has no leak on the drive.

I'm puzzled hopefully someone can help. I just dont want it to be expensive.

Thanks for reading

[dodgym3]

hi mate

sounds like you have dragged some crap through from the tank . try adding a additive to a full tank of petrol lke redex and give it some beans up the motorway.

as for the light indicator sometimes the brake pedal sensor sticks under the pedal and you indicator flags it up as a fault . wd40 and some pumping on the brake will do it.

other than that you could be looking at a faulty ECU . have you been in a car wash or has the engine area been wet for any reason . this would explain the warning lights and the rough running

[bazking69]

40 mile plus at least a gallon in reserve. I very very much doubt you have sucked up sediment from the tank.
I'd say it would be a sensor somewhere.

[john_p]

dannyb67 said:

Also the light indicating that rear lights or break ligts are out keeps coming on even though all lights are fine, and the yellow oil light keeps appearing now and then and the oil is also at a good level and car has no leak on the drive.

Take a look at both back light clusters, I bet one of the bulbs is 'darkened' even though it still works, the computer flags it as an issue occasionally.

The oil light, when does it come on? After starting, during driving, or after switching off?

[dannyb67]

Thanks everyone for the help. its much appreciated.

The oil light comes on during driving and sometimes just after i turn it off, but never when I start it.

its started perfect again today.

I will try out the different things people are telling me and let you know the results.

Thanks again

[bmwtechie]

the oil light is prob just a faulty oil level sensor- very common on these, will not cuase you any problems but its worth changing next time u change your oil, as u have to drain the sump to replace it.

someone mentioned about the bulbs darker or blackened- this can cause problems but also check the connector on to the light clusters and look for signs of a burnt out earth cable

[bmwtechie]

also heater fan n/w is more than likely ur heater resistor which sits up under the centre console

[bmwtechie]

sorry for all separate posts- long cranking time prob a cam sensor- u'll need diagnostic check, cheap ecu fault readers on ebay are good enough for that car