Am I being an idiot?

N

n1k_85

Member
 Wolverhampton, UK
Hi all,

I have only had the Z4 since Friday and still getting used to everything, but there's something i can't work out. II'm not sure if its a fault or if i'm being thick.

This happened a few times yesterday and again this morning:

On my 2003 3.0 Auto, I unlock the car as normal, jump in, put the key in, apply the foot brake but when i turn the key the dash just lights up and sat nav etc comes on but the engine does not turn over or even attempt to turn over.

Tyring to work out why it wont start, i mess with the handbrake, gear selector, driver door (incase a sensor is preventing it form starting) and eventually it starts. The thing is i cant work out if its something i am doing that allows the engine to start or if its just faulty :?

Can anyone put me out of my mysery?

Thanks

Nick
 
Very unusual, never heard of that one before. Does it have a non-oem alarm in addition?
 
Not as far as i am aware :?

It reminds me of when i drove a BM 1 series a few years back, the dealer just gave me the keys and didn't tell me how to start it. As with mine, i put they key in and the dash etc lit up, but when i tried to start it it did nothing. Then after a few minutes of confusion i realised you had to depress the clutch and put it in 1st gear.

It doesn't feel like a fault, it feels as though i have forgotton to do something. But it could well be, i hope not as i've only had it two days :(
 
Are you in 'Park' when trying to start it? The handbrake and footbrake do not matter. Just needs to be in park or neutral
If you are then it sounds like a fault that needs rectification. I'd guess starter solenoid or ignition switch not connecting propoerly ont he first few atempts, but a wild guess without more information
 
:( yeah it is always in park when i have tried to start it.

Maybe a trip to BMW is in order.... :thumbsdown:
 
Especially when you say that you have to move the gear lever a few times before it will start, sounds like the solenoid.

I assume when you park the car up, before you switch the engine off that you place the gear lever in "Park" ?
 
Try taking the key out again if it doesn't start. If it thinks you're not in park I don't think it'll let you withdraw the key.

Yep, never got used to the faff of starting my 120. I've been able to use a key for years then an improved system comes along......
 
Its definatley in park.

The last time i had trouble starting it (about an hour ago), i turned the steering wheel slightly and it worked.

When i mentioned messing with the gear selector before i wasn't actally sure if this made any difference whatsover because i also messed with loads of other stuff at the same time (Steering lock, doors, handbrake etc) so i wasn't actually sure what it was i did that made it start.

I'l try just the steering lock next time, hopefully that should work. :?

Will let you know!

Thanks for the help :thumbsup:
 
Sometimes on mine, if the wheel has locked, I have to wiggle it in order to get the key full in the switch. If the key isn't fully seated, it won't turn to start.
 
yeah the key is definatley turning the whole way , it wont go any further, you can feel when the car would 'usually' start but it just does nothing.

The last 3 times ive driven it today though it's been fine :|
 
Not sure, but you *might* be experiencing what I call "Zed Lag". I've had this experience a few times. If I'm in a big hurry, and try to start the Zed fast, the ignition does not engage *immediately* upon turning the key. It's like it needs a second or two to prepare all the electronics and pumps, etc., before actually engaging.

There have been a few times when I did that, inserted the key and turned it quickly to the #2 (start) position, expecting it to jump into action, but it did not. Since I was mentally *expecting* the car to start, I let off the key, just as I would if the car had actually started, dropping it back to the #1 (on) position.

Once you let off the key after an unsuccessful start, you can't get it to start by turning it back to the #2 (start) position. You have to go back to the #0 (off) position and then turn it on to #2 again to start. Just a theory.
 
TxMike said:
Not sure, but you *might* be experiencing what I call "Zed Lag". I've had this experience a few times. If I'm in a big hurry, and try to start the Zed fast, the ignition does not engage *immediately* upon turning the key. It's like it needs a second or two to prepare all the electronics and pumps, etc., before actually engaging.

There have been a few times when I did that, inserted the key and turned it quickly to the #2 (start) position, expecting it to jump into action, but it did not. Since I was mentally *expecting* the car to start, I let off the key, just as I would if the car had actually started, dropping it back to the #1 (on) position.

Once you let off the key after an unsuccessful start, you can't get it to start by turning it back to the #2 (start) position. You have to go back to the #0 (off) position and then turn it on to #2 again to start. Just a theory.
Click to expand...

I think you might be right there! This is what i was thinking this morning!

My old car was push button engine start, so i used to put the key in and turn it, then immediatley press the start button.

I think i'm being an egar beaver with the Z4. This morning on my 2nd attempt i turned the key to the #1 positon, then waited a few seconds and when i turned it to #2 position it started straight away :)
 
Don't forget that the key contains a chip to work with the immobiliser. On my previous 7 series, I started using the spare key as the main key would sometimes not work.

Maybe try your spare as well just in case there is an issue with the key and it does not synch with the car properly.
 
Unfortunatley the car only came with one key (and no floormats even though they are on the spec sheet!)

Why the hell would you keep one key when you return a car? :thumbsdown:
 
n1k_85 said:
Unfortunatley the car only came with one key (and no floormats even though they are on the spec sheet!)

Why the hell would you keep one key when you return a car? :thumbsdown:
Click to expand...

Try remove the battery and wiggle it around a bit inside the key... sometimes the contacts become a little poor and they stop working as effectively, and also not charging so well.

My car came with no other keys or floormats. It came though a BMW auction to the independent car seller after having been a lease car. I can only assume that the owners just bring them in to BMW as they come and BMW will let that pass as they just send them through the auctions. The mats may well have been worn and just thrown away to stop it looking tattier than it actually was.

It is a frustration I will agree. My car had new numberplates added (WHY), while the mats were missing and the second key was only said to be not there once I'd paid up (you assume, foolishly, that a car comes as per original sale spec, sans condition change, but not actually missing components!)

Grrr... last time I buy from a retarded dealer! You expect a little extra for paying a bit extra, but instead you actually get LESS!

Dave
 
n1k_85 said:
Unfortunatley the car only came with one key (and no floormats even though they are on the spec sheet!)

Why the hell would you keep one key when you return a car? :thumbsdown:
Click to expand...

I agree. When I traded in my 325Ci for the Z, I handed them back all *4* keys (2 "regular", 1 valet, 1 emergency) and ALL the manuals. Even if a spouse/partner has the other key, you KNOW you're going in to trade so why not round them up? :headbang:

My husband's X5 was bought used from the local dealer and they provided the 2nd key as part of the deal. Of course, I made sure they did. :evil:
 
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