 » Site Navigation | | | | » Recent Threads | My 318ti build 05-21-2024 04:48 PM Yesterday 06:42 PM 1 Replies, 1,877 Views | | | OMG!OMG! Yesterday 08:53 AM Yesterday 08:53 AM 0 Replies, 395 Views | | | |  |  |  |  01-17-2006, 10:07 PM | #1 | | Junior Member Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Vienna, Va. Posts: 5 |  Starting issue
Hi all, 1996 318ti with 36K. Went to start the car after it had been sitting for a few days. It sounded like the the starter was not engaging and it wouldn't start. The next day I went at it again, the same symptoms again but it finally started with a very rough idle. The idle seemed to come back to normal after a few minutes so I drove it around a bit. Then the engine light came on and it was making a ticking noise. The engine light is still on but the car seems Ok, no clicking sound. Any ideas? Thanks.
Chris |  |  | | 01-17-2006, 10:31 PM | #2 | | Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: state college, pa Posts: 3,431 |
Find somebody with a code reader.
As for the starter, probably a battery issue. What's it sound like: freespinning whirr, or a clicking? __________________
I scream, you scream, we all scream for ZOMBIES. | | | | | 01-17-2006, 11:55 PM | #3 | | TRETEN IRGENDEINES ESELS Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Rhode Island Posts: 3,687 |
I'd say the car is misfirring when it starts up. Thats how mine is and was told by the dealership it's missfiring. They told me the plugs/wires need replacing along with valve cover gasket. Funny thing is my valve cover was replaced by a bmw mechanic last spring and they are telling me it's bad. __________________ 98 Avus Blue 318 ti Active
clear outs all around,stealth turning signals,blue led interior lights, 35% tinted windows,K&N air filter, 12" Kenwood Sub, MTX Thunder Amp,Alpine cd changer, Leatherz Armrest,ACS Pedals/Handbrake/FloorMats & Vitesse Tuning Carbon Fiber B-Pillars/CF Spark Plug Cover, New 16" MSW Typer 14 Rims on Goodyear Triple Treds 
www.myspace.com/avusblueti | | | | | 01-18-2006, 02:56 AM | #4 | | Junior Member Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Vienna, Va. Posts: 5 |
it's a freespinning whirr, It seems OK now except for the engine light. | | | | | 01-18-2006, 02:58 AM | #5 | | Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Asheville NC Posts: 669 |
my newly purchased ti sputters sometimes on startup for about 2-3 seconds, so I bought bosch plugs, now just gotta wait for the stupid rain to stop. I'll let you know how it fixes the problem (tomorrow hopefully) | | | | | 01-18-2006, 03:26 AM | #6 | | aka Stabby Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Mead, CO Posts: 5,336 |
Quote: | Originally Posted by Cham210 it's a freespinning whirr, It seems OK now except for the engine light. | find a local autozone and get the code(s) read so you have a clue what it's telling you. __________________ 1996 318ti, California package, 267k miles
current mods: bilstein sports, bavauto springs, e30 m3 LCABs, solid metal ball joints, bavauto RSMs w/reinforcements, e30 3.73 LSD & halfshafts, supersprint cat-back exhaust, turner rear sway bar reinforcements, IE poly subframe & RTABs + camber/toe kits, powdercoated e36 32x front calipers, sport mirrors, H&R 28mmF/19mmR sway bars, x-brace, auto solutions SSK w/poly bushing upgrade, BMW CD43 head unit, DICE HD Radio w/iPod integration and "stealth" HD antenna, staggered style 68s, orange electronic TPMS, leather arm rest, JT Designs metal undertray
acquired and awaiting install: heated seat kit, cali top switch relo, lumbar support kit, park distance control kit, heated washer nozzle kit, m-coupe rear subframe, trailing arms, differential, and halfshafts, m-coupe front/rear brakes with master cylinder, under hood light kit, mud flaps, rear sun blind, auto-dimming rear view mirror, tilt steering wheel retrofit, apexcone 5000K HIDs with 55W ballasts
2002 X5 4.4 Sport Package, 53.5k miles
Current Mods: e46 m3 steering wheel | | | | | 01-18-2006, 02:49 PM | #7 | | Junior Member Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Vienna, Va. Posts: 5 |
Thanks for your help everybody, the car is starting and running fine now, I'll get the code read and see what it says. | | | | | 01-25-2006, 06:43 AM | #8 | | Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Virginia Posts: 368 |
If you start the car and move it only a short distance or otherwise shut it off before it's reached operating temperature, it (and all m50-engined 325i's too) will essentially flood themselves out. The starter sound is weird but it's related. Something to do with the new type gear-reduction starters. Your solution is to either remove the spark plugs and clean or replace them. Or simply floor the throttle and hold it there while cranking. The latter usually works. The misfire you got after finally getting the flooded car started is what probably tripped your CEL and it may take a few more start cycles to reset itself.
This problem is pretty common especially when the car is moved to a washing location or just out of the garage, shut off, worked on or washed, then restarted and moved back into the garage. They just don't like it. | | | | |
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