Starting the car

S

SpikedJuice

Member
At a risk of sounding as thick as a plank, how should a 2004 Zed start up?

I'm sure the Zed now is trickier to start up than it used to be. I would turn the key and within the first "cough" I would let go of the key whilst pressing the accelerator and the engine would start. Now I find it unpredictable - sometimes it will take three or four coughs, depress the accelerator but I don't want to let go of the key in case it doesn't start. This results in a straining sound - like a duck being strangled.

I realise it might be to do with the cold temperatures, but I don't think I've experienced this before. In saying that, I've had the Zed for less than a year!

Is this something that I should have checked out?
 
I always start the car with the clutch in anyway, but mine take 1-4 'turns' to get going - but my car is used regularly and is more of a motorway muncher than a town car, so gets plenty of time to recharge the (original) battery. I never press the accelerator though - although I'm not sure if it has any effect during startup on a car with an electronic throttle.

If there are strange noises, then it implies there's something slipping or not engaging properly (e.g. belts or starter motor gear).
 
Yea you shouldnt be using your foot at all, the engine and ecu is designed to start with just a turn of a key so you may be overstressing your engine using your foot. Theyre maybe something wrong if its taking longer to start than before..have the plugs ever been changed or our they originals from 2004?
 
SpikedJuice said:
like a duck being strangled.
Click to expand...
Cracking description of the noise :D

I've heard that literally a handful of times with my Z4, so I think I know what you're referring to. I've always thought I've simply not released the key soon enough - the noise to me sounds like the starter motor not disengaging soon enough. And that's with me always starting the car in my usual way: gearbox in neutral, handbrake on, clutch depressed. I don't ever touch the accelerator when starting. It always starts without delay and that's 7.5yrs on the original battery/plugs/etc.
 
Oh right - I thought I had to depress the throttle to "start" the car, otherwise simply turning the key would just end up with the starter turning over.

I'm thinking the same as you, a11y - that the strangled duck noise is from the starter motor not disengaging quickly enough. But that's because I'm still twisting the key in the ignition.

I just don't want to strain the starter/engine so I've been letting go of the key too soon :( Not sure if the plugs have been changed or not but I'll check...
 
no definitely shouldnt be using your foot anyway.

how many miles us there on your motor? has it had a full service history to BMW spec?
 
It could be that the battery is running a bit low on juice and isn't turning the starter motor quickly enough. The strangled duck noise is the starter motor trying to turn the engine which is now running due to you having held the key open for too long.

Are the dashboard lights dimming when the starter motor is turning ? :D
 
The car has about 53,000 miles on the clock. It has a full BMW service history at the same dealership. I don't switch on the lights until after the car has started so I haven't noticed them dimming but I'll try them later.
 
SpikedJuice said:
The car has about 53,000 miles on the clock. It has a full BMW service history at the same dealership. I don't switch on the lights until after the car has started so I haven't noticed them dimming but I'll try them later.
Click to expand...

No I mean the dashboard lights but worth looking at the internal lights too I suppose 8)
 
Generally, yes, no accelerator, but from my '06 manual:

Special starting conditions
In the following situations, press the accelerator pedal halfway down when starting the engine:
> If the engine does not start on the first attempt, for instance when it is extremely hot or cold.
> If the engine is started at very low temperatures, below approx. +57/–156(sic), at high altitudes above approx. 3,300 ft/1,000 m.

I think they meant to say +5F/-15C!
You will need to quickly release throttle once it fires.
 
I checked last night and this morning - no dimming of lights and all the lights on the dashboard clear. I think Marty might be right and I'm overthinking things somewhat! I thought it would be best to make sure though :oops: At least I know now not to use the accelerator unless in special circumstances (thanks bcworkz) :)
 
A modern ECU will probably ignore any attempts to mash the throttle pedal on start-up anyway.
 
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