Starter or Fuel Pump?

seanay12 · 09-30-2014, 05:43 PM

I tried using search today, but all day I been getting an error msg when I tried to search so I apologize in advance to those who been on here for a while and seen this topic alot but I need some advice.

Went to start the car 3 days ago, didnt start but it cranks like it wants to start for about 2-4 secs but doesnt, no ignition, then either it starts easily on the second push of the start button or it starts at the end of those long 3-4 sec cranks on the first attempt, all days in a row now. ( I noticed the car gave up on it's own after about 3-4 secs the other day ), I was hoping this was a one time thing and it would go away. Wishful thinking.

I have no shaking, metal grinding noise, rough idling, shifting issues once it starts up and I drive off. It does not do this any other time for the day, just only that first attempt in the morning and no other time. I bought it used 5 weeks ago so I dont know if battery has been changed, there is a receipt for around $200 for a battery i found in the trunk from 2 years ago. Dont think the starter nor fuel pump (or filter) has been changed out as no mention on the service docs he gave me. I have been reading about this and seem the starter is a well known issue but some think its the fuel pump, filter or battery. No error codes of any kind show up. I dont know what to think. Can anyone advise me which is the likely reason per what I described. I live in So Cal so its not a weather issue either. i have no experience under the hood, I can maybe change the oil and thats about it. Car has about 65k.

335speed · 09-30-2014, 05:59 PM

Id say fuel pump if it turns over and then starts up right away. But just my 2 cents. Idk if there are any codes but that usually tells you straight up. Good luck man

Edit: I see there were no codes, reading it again. Since it could be so many things you might have to just wait till somethin poops out

seanay12 · 09-30-2014, 06:08 PM

Dang

GoRomeo · 09-30-2014, 06:09 PM

Check your Essentric shaft sensor for oil in the connector. Easy to troubleshoot. Just remove the plastic engine cover and disconnect the connector and look inside.

See below.

http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=697252

seanay12 · 09-30-2014, 06:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GoRomeo

Check your Essentric shaft sensor for oil in the connector. Easy to troubleshoot. Just remove the plastic engine cover and disconnect the connector and look inside.

See below.

http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=697252

Im not sure what you are referring me to. I went to link and it was a nice write up but I dont have any of the symptoms that the OP of that post which led him to do his 6.5 hr job. Are you saying if I have oild in that little sensor that would be causing my car not to start on the first try? OP in that link states his car had horrible performance, choking, bad shifting and white smoke after starting up. I dont have any of those issues.

GoRomeo · 09-30-2014, 07:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by seanay12

Im not sure what you are referring me to. I went to link and it was a nice write up but I dont have any of the symptoms that the OP of that post which led him to do his 6.5 hr job. Are you saying if I have oild in that little sensor that would be causing my car not to start on the first try? OP in that link states his car had horrible performance, choking, bad shifting and white smoke after starting up. I dont have any of those issues.

I know but the symptoms vary. I ve seen other cases with your same symptoms and ended up being the sensor. It does not hurt to check.

seanay12 · 09-30-2014, 09:52 PM

Alright thanks!

seanay12 · 10-01-2014, 12:06 PM

Update: Today when I got in, started right up with no hesistation or long cranking...what's going on here. So 3 days of long cranking before turning over, and today back to normal....wth!

GoRomeo · 10-01-2014, 12:12 PM

Do you know how old your battery is? This might be your issue. Take it to your local auto store to have them do a load test on your battery. Should be free.

Andrewah05 · 10-01-2014, 12:17 PM

Fuel pump I would say or multiple cylinder misfire, maybe its throwing ghost codes, do.you have a good indy maybe could run a diagnostic or something?

PSEE · 10-01-2014, 12:18 PM

only the truly eccentric spell it: 'essentric'

these threads constantly scare me...

seanay12 · 10-01-2014, 12:49 PM

Yea, my battery is about 2 years old it appears, it is not the OEM BMW battery as I took a look at it other day, cant see what brand it is but it starts with a C and is red, white and black label. That big bar/strap that goes across the middle of the batt is covering up the brand label.

There are quite a few around me here that are indy, I will take it in soon and see if they can run some diagnostics on it for sure. Based on what I have seen, I can rule out bad alternator at this point. I have not yet been able to rule out, bad gasoline batch, starter or possibly fuel pump/filter. Could be a failing battery too, I will go and get it checked out this weekend for sure at a local autozone or something and report back.

09-30-2014, 05:43 PM	#1
seanay12 Private First Class 5 Rep 102 Posts Drives: 2007 328i Coupe E92 Join Date: Sep 2014 Location: Irvine, CA iTrader: (0)	Starter or Fuel Pump? I tried using search today, but all day I been getting an error msg when I tried to search so I apologize in advance to those who been on here for a while and seen this topic alot but I need some advice. Went to start the car 3 days ago, didnt start but it cranks like it wants to start for about 2-4 secs but doesnt, no ignition, then either it starts easily on the second push of the start button or it starts at the end of those long 3-4 sec cranks on the first attempt, all days in a row now. ( I noticed the car gave up on it's own after about 3-4 secs the other day ), I was hoping this was a one time thing and it would go away. Wishful thinking. I have no shaking, metal grinding noise, rough idling, shifting issues once it starts up and I drive off. It does not do this any other time for the day, just only that first attempt in the morning and no other time. I bought it used 5 weeks ago so I dont know if battery has been changed, there is a receipt for around $200 for a battery i found in the trunk from 2 years ago. Dont think the starter nor fuel pump (or filter) has been changed out as no mention on the service docs he gave me. I have been reading about this and seem the starter is a well known issue but some think its the fuel pump, filter or battery. No error codes of any kind show up. I dont know what to think. Can anyone advise me which is the likely reason per what I described. I live in So Cal so its not a weather issue either. i have no experience under the hood, I can maybe change the oil and thats about it. Car has about 65k. Last edited by seanay12; 09-30-2014 at 06:12 PM..
	Appreciate 0 Tweet Quote

09-30-2014, 05:59 PM	#2
335speed Private First Class 12 Rep 193 Posts Drives: 16 550 Join Date: May 2013 Location: SoCal iTrader: (0) Garage List 2007 BMW E90 [10.00]	Id say fuel pump if it turns over and then starts up right away. But just my 2 cents. Idk if there are any codes but that usually tells you straight up. Good luck man Edit: I see there were no codes, reading it again. Since it could be so many things you might have to just wait till somethin poops out
	Appreciate 0 Quote

09-30-2014, 06:08 PM	#3
seanay12 Private First Class 5 Rep 102 Posts Drives: 2007 328i Coupe E92 Join Date: Sep 2014 Location: Irvine, CA iTrader: (0)	Dang
	Appreciate 0 Quote

09-30-2014, 06:09 PM	#4
GoRomeo Brigadier General 964 Rep 3,854 Posts Drives: 330i, 135i Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: San Diego CA iTrader: (0) Garage List 2008 BMW 135i [9.50] 2006 330i [6.75]	Check your Essentric shaft sensor for oil in the connector. Easy to troubleshoot. Just remove the plastic engine cover and disconnect the connector and look inside. See below. http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=697252
	Appreciate 0 Quote

09-30-2014, 09:52 PM	#7
seanay12 Private First Class 5 Rep 102 Posts Drives: 2007 328i Coupe E92 Join Date: Sep 2014 Location: Irvine, CA iTrader: (0)	Alright thanks!
	Appreciate 0 Quote

10-01-2014, 12:06 PM	#8
seanay12 Private First Class 5 Rep 102 Posts Drives: 2007 328i Coupe E92 Join Date: Sep 2014 Location: Irvine, CA iTrader: (0)	Update: Today when I got in, started right up with no hesistation or long cranking...what's going on here. So 3 days of long cranking before turning over, and today back to normal....wth!
	Appreciate 0 Quote

10-01-2014, 12:12 PM	#9
GoRomeo Brigadier General 964 Rep 3,854 Posts Drives: 330i, 135i Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: San Diego CA iTrader: (0) Garage List 2008 BMW 135i [9.50] 2006 330i [6.75]	Do you know how old your battery is? This might be your issue. Take it to your local auto store to have them do a load test on your battery. Should be free.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

10-01-2014, 12:17 PM	#10
Andrewah05 Captain 70 Rep 628 Posts Drives: 335i TiAg Join Date: Sep 2012 Location: Toronto, Canada iTrader: (0)	Fuel pump I would say or multiple cylinder misfire, maybe its throwing ghost codes, do.you have a good indy maybe could run a diagnostic or something?
	Appreciate 0 Quote

10-01-2014, 12:18 PM	#11
PSEE First Lieutenant 12 Rep 332 Posts Drives: 2009 335d Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: BMW, MA iTrader: (0)	only the truly eccentric spell it: 'essentric' these threads constantly scare me...
	Appreciate 0 Quote

10-01-2014, 12:49 PM	#12
seanay12 Private First Class 5 Rep 102 Posts Drives: 2007 328i Coupe E92 Join Date: Sep 2014 Location: Irvine, CA iTrader: (0)	Yea, my battery is about 2 years old it appears, it is not the OEM BMW battery as I took a look at it other day, cant see what brand it is but it starts with a C and is red, white and black label. That big bar/strap that goes across the middle of the batt is covering up the brand label. There are quite a few around me here that are indy, I will take it in soon and see if they can run some diagnostics on it for sure. Based on what I have seen, I can rule out bad alternator at this point. I have not yet been able to rule out, bad gasoline batch, starter or possibly fuel pump/filter. Could be a failing battery too, I will go and get it checked out this weekend for sure at a local autozone or something and report back.
	Appreciate 0 Quote