My previous '00 4.4 would do this on occasion, and I always felt that it was an alarm/key transmitter issue. It only happened occasionally and wasn't too much of a pain so I just let it go. It seems to me if it is happening that often that someone with the proper scan tool software could pick up the problem at a shop. Maybe its time for the experts.

I'm switching my keys today, I'll try it for a few days to see if it makes any difference. Seems strange that it would be the problem, especially when the car stalls. But, I've seen stranger things.

Embarrassing is definitely the best way to describe it. Every time I have someone in my car I have to cross my fingers and hope that it will start.

hmm...i was just about to post this up, since i had a similar problemonly happened once, but def. not waiting for it to happen again, so i would like to fix that problem asap.

Carsoft
 

Back when I first started having these problems I went and got a Carsoft cable and a copy of Carsoft 6.5. Thw latest version is 6.7. While it is no where near as good as the BMW G1 my independent shop uses it does read codes and have some live data capabilities. I have never seen any codes pulled from my car that would give any indication as to what is going on. I have pulled codes myself with carsoft and also had the shop pull codes with their G1. My only codes that i get are for aging O2 sensors and that is because I hollowed out my cats and installed an O2 sensor sim and it was to slow. I have the new faster sim and will install that today. But that shouldn't be the cause of the problem.

I pulled codes just last night and only found codes for the 2 aging O2 sensors on the ecu. I had 4 faults in my instrument cluster, an "internal fault in the ZKE (chassis electronics?) and a few other stupid ones. When I get home from work today i will go out and pull codes again and post the report here so you can all see.

Thanks for the replies!:thumbup:

When you crank and let go of the key the starter continues until the engine fires in the two 4.4s I have had. Could it be that system, what ever it is called, and it not allowing the engine to fire, but continually grind?
Just a thought.

The starter isn't grinding, it is actually turning the motor over, but it is like the motor doesn't ignite. Like the fuel, if is in fact going into the cylinders, is not catching fire and exploding.

I think all X5s have the autostart you are referring to. Mine does it. In carsoft in the live data monitoring there is a field for autostart, which when you first hit the ignition key with live data collecting data it turns the field from "off" to "on".

I think it's just the 4.4s that have the convenient start feature, my 3.0 doesn't have it.

Sorry. Did not know the name of that feature. Got it now.
Thanks.

No luck switching keys... I'm running out of ideas. Here's a shot in the dark though. My symptoms started appearing right after a trip to LA where I was driving/parking in 100-110 degree heat for 3 days straight. I'm normally in San Francisco where temps are always around 70. It seems like a lot of these posts have come up in the last month or two right after the heat waves across the country, anyone else have a similar experience?