Won't Start

[th59718]

My wife was not able to start her vehicle this morning after she had it out to the gym and tried to return. She waited a while and it started OK.

This sounds similar to the problem some of you on this thread have been having. If you had a starting problem, did the starter turn over and the engine fail to start or was everything dead?

Our car started then quickly stalled not responding to a restart attempt. The dealer's Service Manager says a common problem with a vehicle that behaves like this is a defective computer chip in the key. Will continue to watch this, post additional info (and carry a second key!).

Update (6/25/04): Haven't had any similar incidents since. Seems to be a non-issue!

[GMLind]

So what is the fix for the starting problem? We took delivery of the 300C on Monday and on Wed. morning my wife had to try 3-4 times before it would start and stay on. Thurs. morning I tried 5-6 times it would start then die. Then it wouldn't turn over at all. Waited 20 minutes, and it started right up, first try. We have about 50 miles on it.

Any ideas or suggestions?

[upstate]

Boy am I lucky! I have one of the first 300C made (took delivery on April 9) I have had zero problems. The gas goes in fine, it starts and it does not pull to the right. I am as pleased as can be with this wonderful car.

[GMLind]

The keys have nothing to do with the starting problem, as near as I can tell. Have used both keys with same result. Difficult or impossible to start and keep running in the morning or after it has set for a few hours. I wonder if the starting problem and fuel filling problem are related. I am experiencing both.

I would think if it was key related it wouldn't start at all. I'm experiencing it starting then promptly dying. Like fuel starving or fuel shut off or something like that.

[Reddog67]

Could possibly be a short or bad connection in the wiring to the igintion switch. Had a problem with my wifes 2002 chrysler T&C not starting sometimes, and other times just cutting off while driving. It took the dealership about 4 tries before they finally figured out the problem. There was a bad connection that was intermittant, so tough to diagnose correctly. They also explained this as the source of why the car would "sputter" at times.

Another thought....have you made sure all the fuses are seated properly. Everything is electronic on this car, ya never know..... Good luck and keep us posted.

[MightyMax]

Originally Posted by GMLind

The keys have nothing to do with the starting problem, as near as I can tell. Have used both keys with same result. Difficult or impossible to start and keep running in the morning or after it has set for a few hours.

"Owners Manual pg. 12)
The Sentry Key Immobilizer System prevents unauthorized operation of the vehicle by disabling the engine. The system will shut the engine off after 2 seconds of running if an invalid key is used to start the vehicle.

Just to make sure.... If it happens again...

(Owners Manual pg.13)
If the bulb begins to flash after the bulb check, this indicates that an invalid key has been used to start the vehicle.

I would check the alarm bulb it see if it's flashing. It still could be that the car "thinks" an invalid key was used.


As for myself..... I've been wondering if I should carry a spare battery in my wallet. Just in case.....

[II kings 9:20]

Originally Posted by MightyMax

"Owners Manual pg. 12)
The Sentry Key Immobilizer System prevents unauthorized operation of the vehicle by disabling the engine. The system will shut the engine off after 2 seconds of running if an invalid key is used to start the vehicle.

Just to make sure.... If it happens again...

(Owners Manual pg.13)
If the bulb begins to flash after the bulb check, this indicates that an invalid key has been used to start the vehicle.

I would check the alarm bulb it see if it's flashing. It still could be that the car "thinks" an invalid key was used.


As for myself..... I've been wondering if I should carry a spare battery in my wallet. Just in case.....

Speaking of spare batteries, BMW utilizes the ignition switch as a recharger never to need a battery replacement.
Given all of our personal settings available, I guess DC can't think of everything.

[SilverHemi]

Had a similar stalling problem last night, along with a transmission glitch that evidently is "normal" (ignition switch must be cycled to back to off when restarting, failing to may result in delay in trans engaging).

I don't think my stalling is key related, doesn't sound like a direct cutoff,
more like rough running then stall. Would like to know what is causing these other cases.

[flintstone]

Hey guys, I had the complete electronic module replaced. This deviced controlled all internal electrical components. She works fine. Prior to replacing this device, the vehicle would stall, lights would randomly come on causing the battery to die and a host of other grimlens.

[Jerk_Fitter]

I got my 300C last Friday and have the same starting issues as flintstone. At first I called it operator error because I've never had a V-8 and mabye thought that I wasn't letting it crank over enough. Now that I've been letting it crank until the car is blatently started the problem has not crept up again until yesterday.

Yesterday it cranked and cranked and would not start until throttle was applied. I loath taking intermintent problems to the dealer, probably as much as they loath getting them. I'm going to be checking the seating of the fuses on my lunch break today. If this continues much longer I guess I'll take it into the dealer for the "can't find anything bring it in again if it still happens" loop.