2005 X5 4.4 won't crank over sometimes
 

My 2005 X5 4.4 with 176,000 miles would occasionally not crank when key was in cranking position. When I would remove the key and try again it would work. Some times I would have to do this several times before it would crank. After one time of having to do this about 12 times before cranking, I replaced the ignition switch with a Febi brand. All was fine for a while, but then it happened again where I had to turn the key 2x before cranking, so I replaced the starter with a rebuilt unit from my local parts store. The new starter spins the motor much faster, and worked fine for a few weeks, but last night it wouldn't start after many attempts and had to have the car towed home. Tried it this morning and it started on second attempt, cranked fast like new.
Anyone have a similar issue? Any ideas? Thanks.

Do you have another key to try? (Possible immobiliser problem.)

With N62 it can also be the relays controlling convenient start.

https://www.newtis.info/tisv2/a/en/e...-relay/reoNfal

Very common symptom for failing ignition switch


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Didn't he already renew it?

new doesn't mean fixed. When you have symptoms that indicate a primary fault, you have to pretend you didn't fix it already. Countless times I've replaced something twice.

Indeed. I would question what the OP used for a replacement. If from the dealer then I would assume it would be good. If aftermarket, all bets are off. :dunno:

He mentioned Febi which is probably OEM and good going but still doesn't mean it didn't break. The primary symptom of bad switch is the exact symptoms described above.

I know but exactly same symptoms if key is randomly not recognised or the starter relay inside EWS module is failing.

My guess would also be the EWS antenna or key itself. As mentioned try your other key. :thumbup:

Secondary failures that will produce these symptoms:

EWS antenna (key side or column)

Crank position sensor.

Do you any sense of power stoke?

EWS antenna failure is possible but rare compared to previously mentioned and most likely terminal if it occurs.

What has crank position sensor to do with starter activation?

Good point I crossed over from a different thread (crank no start).

Back to most likely switch or wiring to DME/EWS.

Thanks for all of the responses. How do I test the ignition switch, EWS, and other items mentioned? I took the cover off the old ignition switch and all contacts look good and clean.

What scanning tool are you using ? The suggestion above about the convenience relay is a solid one.

When you turn the key take note you do not have to hold for the crank. A timer takes over and cranked xx seconds. The circuits that control that havw relay/s that if faulty could give you the symptoms you describe.

I have a BlueDriver scanner, will scan tonight and see if anything comes up.

I would splice a wire to the control wire for the starter solenoid or at the solenoid. When it doesn't crank you can put a voltmeter to the wire and to a ground and see if you have voltge on the control wire. Sound like you have a break in the wire that is intermittent.

@ual is correct feels like a broken wire but that “broken wire “ could just be a dirty contact on a relay


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The starter solenoid is normally the relay, but since he replaced the starter I'm assuming the solenoid was replaced with the starter.

nothing

There is more to the start ckt on X5 that have the auto start function.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mc-1rXGatHE

If you didn't know what we meant by the control wire to the starter solenoid.

Starter circuit

That diagram is for M62. I already linked the diagram for N62 on my earlier post.

Sorry.

So if you look at connector X6916 you should have 12 volts when the key is in the start position. If not, you can apply 12 volts to the connector and see if the engine crank.

Another issue is that you may have a bad IVM.

Good.call!

Scanned it today, no fault codes. Same issue, had to try it a bunch of times before it cranked over, same issue with both keys. I did hear the solenoid click once a few different times when it wouldn't crank, but most of the time no noise, nothing.

I verified that the new ignition switch is good, I get power consistently to the starter wire from the switch that goes to the IVM, but the wire from the IVM to the starter solenoid doesn't always get power. I assume the IVM is the problem, so I replaced it tonight. Works for now, we'll see how things go from here. Thanks all for your help!