"Long Ignition Crank"

[dbs600]

My car is 2 years old, has 18,000 miles and I’ve been experiencing a “long crank” more and more often, where after I press the start button it takes the car more than 1 or 2 ignition cranks to get the engine going. Unfortunately, the problem is intermittent and presents itself, if at all, once or twice a day; usually in the morning. The dealer states they are unable to duplicate the complaint. How do I get them to reproduce or acknowledge the problem? Is any data saved on the car’s computer systems? Thanks!

[filmoreslim]

Originally Posted by dbs600

My car is 2 years old, has 18,000 miles and Ive been experiencing a long crank more and more often, where after I press the start button it takes the car more than 1 or 2 ignition cranks to get the engine going. Unfortunately, the problem is intermittent and presents itself, if at all, once or twice a day; usually in the morning. The dealer states they are unable to duplicate the complaint. How do I get them to reproduce or acknowledge the problem? Is any data saved on the cars computer systems? Thanks!

Somebody posted on another blog that BMW service techs at a dealership in Las Vegas identified this as a fuel pressure issue where the fuel line loses pressure when idle...I think you posted there...fuel pressure regulator needs to be replaced.

[dbs600]

Thanks, but any thoughts on how to reproduce it?

[BMWrules7]

Originally Posted by dbs600

My car is 2 years old, has 18,000 miles and Ive been experiencing a long crank more and more often, where after I press the start button it takes the car more than 1 or 2 ignition cranks to get the engine going. Unfortunately, the problem is intermittent and presents itself, if at all, once or twice a day; usually in the morning. The dealer states they are unable to duplicate the complaint. How do I get them to reproduce or acknowledge the problem? Is any data saved on the cars computer systems? Thanks!

Take a video that shows the tach and the start button in the same frame.

Then count aloud on the recording:

3..2..1...start.

Then keep focused on the tach.

When you encounter the problem, show the normal video and then the video with the long start.

Typically, the tach will become stabilized when the engine has started. If you have the ability to display a timestamp on the video then that would be best.

[filmoreslim]

Leave it overnight...if its a common occurrence the fuel pressure should drop if it sits10-12 hours.

[freshwhite335]

Had the same problem on our 09. Found it to be fuel pump issue.