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BMW 5-Series Starting Problems

41 messages,  Last post on Oct 31, 2009 at 2:00 PM

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#1 of 41 BMW gas cap off, won't start by lacrossesoaked Feb 06, 2007 (5:47 pm)
My 2001 525i wouldn't start. Just a "clicking" sound when I turned the key. Thought I may have had a dead battery; friend provided a jump. Still just a "clicking"--would not crank. Disconnected jumper cables, THEN I discovered I did not replace my gas cap the night before after filling with gas. I replaced the gas cap. With the jumper cables NOT connected, turned the key again, Bingo! Started right up. That was three days ago. No problems since then. Was the problem the gas cap or do I have a problem with my ignition system? If it is the gas cap, why did it start the night before when I left the gas station with cap "off"? Thanks ! Replies to this message: sixpaqs (Feb 07, 2007 7:26 am)
#2 of 41 Re: BMW gas cap off, won't start [lacrossesoaked] by sixpaqs Feb 07, 2007 (7:26 am)
Replying to: lacrossesoaked (Feb 06, 2007 5:47 pm) I used to have a 2000 Audi A6 that would have the check engine light on if the gas cap was not back on the car. It drive me nuts when it happened, because the car started normally without the light on, and about 2 miles after leaving the gas station, the light came on. Since I was literally a block away from the Audi dealer where I bought my car, I drove into the service department, and before I got out of the car, my service writer was asking me if my check engine light was on. He told me it was because the gas cap was off. As soon as he put it on and I restarted the car, the light went off and all was fine with the car. BMW has a similar thing in the old 7 series with the check engine light. I don't know about an ignition lock, though.   The clicking sound, though, is usually when you have a dead battery. I would try to repeat the occurance again. If the same thing happens again, I wouldn't worry about it too much. If it doesn't, then I would look into it a little further. The car will probably start the first time, and then not start again. Try it and see what happens.
#3 of 41 1994 BMW Starting Problem by rayg20 Aug 21, 2007 (5:18 pm)
Recently (like the last month) I have been having problem with my 525i not wanting to start. I checked the battery and it is fine. Everything electrical works, but it won't start. However if I try to jump start it using the post in the engine it roars to life. I am at my wits end, Can anyone help? Replies to this message: roadburner (Aug 22, 2007 8:23 am) rayg20 (Aug 22, 2007 11:10 am) roadburner (Aug 23, 2007 8:03 am)
#4 of 41 Re: 1994 BMW Starting Problem [rayg20] by roadburner Aug 22, 2007 (8:23 am)
Replying to: rayg20 (Aug 21, 2007 5:18 pm) I am at my wits end, Can anyone help?   Has the battery been load tested? Terminals cleaned? Ground cables cleaned? Those are the most likely culprits. Replies to this message: rayg20 (Aug 22, 2007 11:10 am) roadburner (Aug 23, 2007 8:03 am)
#5 of 41 Re: 1994 BMW Starting Problem [roadburner] by rayg20 Aug 22, 2007 (11:10 am)
Replying to: roadburner (Aug 22, 2007 8:23 am) Yes, to all of those questions. Replies to this message: roadburner (Aug 23, 2007 8:03 am)
#6 of 41 Re: 1994 BMW Starting Problem [rayg20] by roadburner Aug 23, 2007 (8:03 am)
Replying to: rayg20 (Aug 22, 2007 11:10 am) Yes, to all of those questions.   Connections at the starter clean/tight?
#7 of 41 Thanks and my 525i is now fixed by rayg20 Sep 18, 2007 (6:25 am)
Thanks to all who gave me suggestions about why I couldn't get my 1994 525i started. It turns out that the battery was the culprit. I took it out charged it up and put it back in the car and it would not hold a charge so I have since replaced it and the car is fine. Replies to this message: roadburner (Sep 19, 2007 7:42 am)
#8 of 41 Re: Thanks and my 525i is now fixed [rayg20] by roadburner Sep 19, 2007 (7:42 am)
Replying to: rayg20 (Sep 18, 2007 6:25 am) Glad to hear that the problem is solved. Battery troubleshooting can be hit-or-miss; the OEM battery in my Jeep Wrangler load-tested fine and died less than two weeks later.
#9 of 41 BMW 525i 2003 50K starting problem. Please help!!! by pham Nov 27, 2007 (9:19 am)
I couldn't start my car two weeks ago, then it worked when friend provided a jump. I replaced a new battery after that. After 2 weeks driving with a new battery, then it doesn't start again today. What else should I check?   How can I tell if the problem is the starter or alternater or anything else? Please advise. Thanks. Replies to this message: roadburner (Nov 27, 2007 1:01 pm) hduhaney (May 06, 2008 11:43 pm) ocean22 (Mar 31, 2009 10:36 am) mrfinagle (Jun 05, 2009 6:05 am)
#10 of 41 Re: BMW 525i 2003 50K starting problem. Please help!!! [pham] by roadburner Nov 27, 2007 (1:01 pm)
Replying to: pham (Nov 27, 2007 9:19 am) How can I tell if the problem is the starter or alternater or anything else? Please advise.   If the battery is discharged you either have a bad battery, an excessive current drain on the battery, or a bad alternator. Any good shop will be able to load test the battery as well as measure the current drain and alternator output. My bet is on a current drain, altenator next, and a bad battery last.

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