Need help w x5 not starting

[vnlecom]

Hi everyone. Hope you can help again. I left my 2001 x5 3.0 sit for about 4 weeks. When I tried to start it, it seens to almost start but doesn't turn over. The interior and exterior lights are bright. All electrical systems seem fine. I thought battery, so I replaced with new and still same problem. No mods to car except AFE CAI. Any thoughts?

[Butt]

Same thing has happened to mine. Parked it 3 days ago, when the wife attempted to start it yesterday all she got was bright lights and no engine start. I wonder wether its the imobliser as everything else seems to be working. Any thoughts guys?

regards

[mrbmwx5]

starter/alternator??????

[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.

[supersteve]

If she is cranking but not starting it could also be the ignition switch. Especially if she does it sometimes but not all the time.

[Butt]

Got mine checked again and it appears to be the battery. Car was jumped started by RAC, checked the battery amperege when car was running and it was fine. They then checked amperege when car was off and current had dropped down to 8v. Its appears one of the cells is dead. Getting replacement battery

regards.

[vnlecom]

Hi everyone. Just an update. My indi suggested I floor the gas pedal and try to start the car and after 10 to 15 secs the car started up. It was rough at first but settled down afterwards. Just a hint if your car been sitting for awhile. Thanks for your ideas.

[motordavid]

vnlecom,
Hard to diagnose that stuff by mail, but I would still suspect the
battery, esp. if it is orig., or has a few years on it. There are
some anecdotal postings of Xs that sit for weeks and start right
up, but many of us run a trickle charger for long sits, and most of
us have replaced an oem batt after 5 or 6 years, and some of
the older Xs are on their third.

Many batts., at near dead, will still give some lights for a few mins.
GL,mD

[TwinsPoppa]

So, it was fuel starved. Hmm, gotta remember that. Thanks for the update. Well at least, you won't have to worry about a new battery for this Winter!

Originally Posted by vnlecom

Hi everyone. Just an update. My indi suggested I floor the gas pedal and try to start the car and after 10 to 15 secs the car started up. It was rough at first but settled down afterwards. Just a hint if your car been sitting for awhile. Thanks for your ideas.

[primetime]

Wow. thats crazy..I guess I'll remember that. Are there any negatives to doing this? (Flooring it before starting the car I mean) it can't be good for the car...