Need help w x5 not starting

[vnlecom]

motordave,
my thought exactly at the time when the car first didn't start. I bought a replacement from AA Auto (SAMS club has one that fits too). Still didn't start. I recharged the original BMW battery (it was replaced in 2006). Still wouldn't start. This is now about 6 weeks. Then I tried the pedal trick and it worked. Go figure.

[x5skiddr]

nice tip. it pays to come here...

[motordavid]

vnlecom,
Good tip and I believe you...
though I have never had a fuel starve prob. and my
'01 regularly sits for several month. I admit it does
run a touch rough for several seconds, maybe close
to a half a min., when I do a "wake up" start after
4-5 months of it sitting. I use a trickle charger, so
firing is fine, but it runs roughly for a min...next time
I'm gonna floor the sumbitch before I crank it. Thanks.
mD

[victor2002]

I have a similar problem, I have 2 keys, one that's been used regularly and starts the car great, but have the other that opens all doors and turns in the ignition but doesn't start the car, what could be happenning to it?

[youry]

Not true. You should be able to start the car even with the plastic key that doesn't have a battery.

Originally Posted by primetime

Your key could be dead...If the key isn't being used for a prolonged period of time the car will not start. All the lights will come on but no engine start...Put the key in and turn it to the on position (position with all the electrical on) leave it in there like that for about 30 minutes. It might charge the key up.. Then try to start the engine. If it does start, drive the car around for awhile to try to get that key charged up longer.

[danGIMP]

My 2003 X5 will start up fine if I drive it every day, but if I let it sit 3 days without driving it, it will need a jump. I'm the 2nd owner and apparently this happened to the first owner too. Does this sound like a problem with the battery? The battery has been replaced once (about 2 years ago), and two years seems awfully short life-span for a battery.

[vnlecom]

It sounds like something is draining your battery. Maybe the dreaded FSR (final stage resistor) that every x5 seems to be plagued with at some point.

[primetime]

Originally Posted by youry

Not true. You should be able to start the car even with the plastic key that doesn't have a battery.

Uh...yeah..have you tried it? Let me know how it turns out...

[youry]

then what is the use for that key? btw: I have a valet key that doesn't have a chip and a battery and I can always start the car with it.

Originally Posted by primetime

Uh...yeah..have you tried it? Let me know how it turns out...

[primetime]

youry...the use of the plastic wallet key is to open the door in case you lock your self out, with the actual keys still locked inside the car.