X5 - No Crank, No Start
 

Hi Guys - I have an 05 X5 with 46k miles. A couple of months ago, my wife reported that the truck wouldn't start (turns the key, no crank no start, but the dummy lights and angel lights come on). She turns the key back and tries again but nothing. The 3rd time, it starts.

Now we have had some pretty cold weather here in NJ but this happens whether the its parked in the garage or outside and it happens intermittantly but it does seem to happen only when the X is completely cold, like first thing in the morning or leaving work.

So, this no start issue happens a couple of more times and she just tries again until the truck finally starts cranking and then starts (once it gets cranking it starts strongly). For the last 6 weeks we didn't have any issues and I completely forgot about this. All of a sudden, she calls me from work today to say that after 6 attempts, the X finally started cranking and then started (used to be 3 tries).

Anyone have a clue as to what's going on? I've read other posts that suggested the shift lever in P may not be catching....

Thanks to all who answer.

do you have the valet key? it could be something with the key, if you have the other key be sure to use it as it will keep it charged. if you have the valet key use that for awhile and see if it does it at all. (i switch which key i use on a weekly basis, well at least i try to)

two keys (~250$) and the mechanism in the steering wheel for reading the keys will run near ~800$-1000$ at a dealer.

It could be a number of things. The key thing is a shot but I have my 01 X5 4.4 and my buddy has an 04 4.4. We've never swapped out keys. My spare and valet are still in the Medallion bag that came with the car. So 10 years with the same key and I am still good. But might be a fluke. Anyways, is this a 4.4 or 3.0? Also does it have the feature where you turn the key to "Start" and just let go? Meaning does it have the auto crank feature on it? Need a little more info.

Is there a quiet 'click' from the engine bay when you try and turn it over? If so, it may be your starter motor sticking. Mine does the same from time to time-very intermittent with no rhyme or reason as to why. I go to turn it over, 'click', nothing. I turn the key back to 'off', turn it to 'start' and then he cranks and fires up no problem.

Added to the fact you say it has gotten worse over time (you say it took 6 attempts the last time as opposed to the 3, 6 weeks prior), this could be an indication the starter motor has deteriorated further in that time and so is now struggling due to the brushes wearing some more.

Engine is 4.4 and does have the auto crank feature. Also, it started this morning no problem.

Could be a dirty ignition switch under the steering column.

Yeah it sounds like the igniton switch. Somewhere the signal is not getting to the starter which allows the starter to activate. If you hear a "Click" thats the starter motor switch activating. So somewhere from the starter to the ignition switch there is a problem. A way to tell, I know it is hard but is to get to the starter and give it a shot with a hammer. Rattling the starter may put the internal plunger in a different position, allowing contact and the starter to spin.
But before getting that far, check you battery. Make sure your connections are secure. Sometimes a loose terminal will give those symptoms. My '01 4.4 does that every once in a while.

Situation got really bad tonight as my wife got stuck at work. Finally, after 1/2 hour she got the truck started and drove it to my friend's garage.

This will be the first time a non-bmw mechanic will be working on the car. Assuming its an ignition switch for the moment, does that have anything to do with the ignition itself (where the key goes into) or is this a totally separate part underneath the steering column? I want to help out my friend as much as possible so if the switch is an easy swap out part, i just may tell him to swap it out.

Thanks for all your help

All right lets see here. You need to work backwards to the switch since we are not sure what is going on. Remember to first check the battery to make sure everything is tight. Once you got that, then you can start eliminating. The starter is located under the M62 motor. You need to remove the splash shield to get to it. Like I said before, give it a few whacks to see if that solves the problem. But again it is not a positive. Better way to tell is to hook up a test light to the lead wire and start the car. If it lights up, then the starter is at fault. Start with that, and if not, come back. Your ignition switch on the other hand requires the removal of the top and bottom covers on the steering column. The switch is located on the left mounted right above the turn signal/OBC stalk.

I have an update. I took the truck to a mechanic friend of mine to take a look. The next day the truck started w/o issue. This morning the truck wouldn't start so at least he could see what I was talking about. He called one of those mobile diagnostic service guys that come to you to do a diagnostic on the car.

According to the report which I haven't seen yet, my friend tells me the issue with the no crank, no start is the IVM (Integrated Power Supply Module). Apparently, that is the code that the tech came up with.

Does this sound kosher? If so, does anyone know approximately how much this IVM costs?

Thanks