BMW X3 wont start

[dcaron9999]

Hi Guys. My 2004 BMW X3 is sitting in my heated garage, and decided it wont start anymore. My girlfriend uses it everyday. The starter cranks and turns the engine, but it wont fire up. Checked all fuses related to ignition and fuel pump. Hooked up a battery charger for a full day. Again, the car just cranks but wont ignite. Never had this happened since I bought the X3 2 years ago. Mileage is 162,000Kms.

Any ideas where to look, or what to try? I have no OBD readers, and trying to search the internet for method to access the SIA diagnostics through the console. Will probably have it towed to a local BMW mechanic, or BMW dealership if 1st mechanic is clueless.

[dcaron9999]

I removed the spark plugs and coils one by one, and cleaned the plugs with brake cleaner and brush, and contacts with electrical contact cleaning spray. I also cleaned the MassAir FLow sensor while I was at it. It took a miassive amount of cranking and the X3 did finally start. I held the clutch in while the engine hard a time going above 500RPM. After about a minute or so, it shot back 1000RPM or so, and hummed merrily along.

I left the engine on for 5-10 minutes. Turned it off, waited for a minute, and started it again within 1-2 seconds without any hesitation this time.

We'll see how that goes. Maybe I hit a bad batch of fuel, or spark plugs which I changed 65,000Kms ago, are already fouled.

To be continued ...

[martz]

ck your fuel pump relay or fuse

[tonycajjo]

you try a different key.

i just posted this on another thread, its the easiest thing to try. a bad key cause starting issues? (referring to the programming)

[AzNMpower32]

Has the vehicle seen mostly short trips and urban driving? My X3 likes long trips, and stutters (cranks awhile) if I don't take it out once a week for a highway drive.

[Meiac09]

Originally Posted by dcaron9999

My girlfriend uses it everyday. The starter cranks and turns the engine, but it wont fire up.

It has gas in it, right?

[dcaron9999]

Yup. got half a tank. thanks for asking though.

As mentioned earlier, I cleaned the plugs, the coils, the MAF sensor, and added about a cup of fuel injector cleaner in the tank. Called my mechanic who says I got lucky, and he suspects it will occur again. He was thinking that either the fuel pump or fuel relay is starting to go.

The X3 has been starting like a new truck in the last 24 hours. Im crossing my fingers.

[dcaron9999]

Originally Posted by tonycajjo

you try a different key.

i just posted this on another thread, its the easiest thing to try. a bad key cause starting issues? (referring to the programming)

This pre-owned X3 came with a single key when I bought off a VW dealer. I was pissed by that 'cause I know how much these things cost. Im living dangerously with a single key since then (Feb 2006), and Ive added 70,000 Kms (~44,000 Miles) on the odometer. Now up to 162,000Kms (100,000 Miles) and counting.