Hi All

I've got a 7 year old BMW 530d and it has developed an intermittent starting
issue. Normally, it will start with just a flick of the ignition, but now it
sometimes takes about 5 seconds. It turns over easily, so I don't suspect a
battery problem. The battery however, is one that has a charge indicator,
and it is black (insufficient charge). Of course it should be green, but at
least it isn't orange (dead)!

Before this car I had another BMW diesel. When starting this one, you had to
wait for the instrument panel's pigtail symbol to extinguish before
cranking. This was, as you know, to allow the glow plugs to heat up.

The current car does not have this pigtail symbol, so how does it work? It
still has glow plugs I assume?
My thoughts as to the intermittent starting problem were that there is a
loose connection to or from the glow plug relay. Any other thoughts before
Mr Local 'tie me up and steal my money' BMW Dealer has a look? Oh, and if
anyone knows where said relay is likely to be, that'd be useful too.

PS I've tried some BMW specific online forums, but these seem to have
degenerated since I last used them ('where can I find an M3 logo for my
316?' etc).

Thanks.

Grumps wrote:
Hi All

I've got a 7 year old BMW 530d and it has developed an intermittent starting
issue. Normally, it will start with just a flick of the ignition, but now it
sometimes takes about 5 seconds. It turns over easily, so I don't suspect a
battery problem. The battery however, is one that has a charge indicator,
and it is black (insufficient charge). Of course it should be green, but at
least it isn't orange (dead)!

Before this car I had another BMW diesel. When starting this one, you had to
wait for the instrument panel's pigtail symbol to extinguish before
cranking. This was, as you know, to allow the glow plugs to heat up.

The current car does not have this pigtail symbol, so how does it work? It
still has glow plugs I assume?
My thoughts as to the intermittent starting problem were that there is a
loose connection to or from the glow plug relay. Any other thoughts before
Mr Local 'tie me up and steal my money' BMW Dealer has a look? Oh, and if
anyone knows where said relay is likely to be, that'd be useful too.

PS I've tried some BMW specific online forums, but these seem to have
degenerated since I last used them ('where can I find an M3 logo for my
316?' etc).

Thanks.

This doesn't sound like the problem that I had with a Peugeot diesel
but might be worth checking. It got progressively more difficult to
start and it was diagnosed as an air leak in the fuel system. The pipes
to the fuel filter were renewed but the problem persisted. It got to a
point where I had to prime the filter with the small hand pump every
time I needed to start the car. A new complete fuel filter assembley
cured the problem.

Kevin

Kev wrote:
Grumps wrote:
Hi All

I've got a 7 year old BMW 530d and it has developed an intermittent starting
issue. Normally, it will start with just a flick of the ignition, but now it
sometimes takes about 5 seconds. It turns over easily, so I don't suspect a
battery problem. The battery however, is one that has a charge indicator,
and it is black (insufficient charge). Of course it should be green, but at
least it isn't orange (dead)!

Before this car I had another BMW diesel. When starting this one, you had to
wait for the instrument panel's pigtail symbol to extinguish before
cranking. This was, as you know, to allow the glow plugs to heat up.

The current car does not have this pigtail symbol, so how does it work? It
still has glow plugs I assume?
My thoughts as to the intermittent starting problem were that there is a
loose connection to or from the glow plug relay. Any other thoughts before
Mr Local 'tie me up and steal my money' BMW Dealer has a look? Oh, and if
anyone knows where said relay is likely to be, that'd be useful too.

PS I've tried some BMW specific online forums, but these seem to have
degenerated since I last used them ('where can I find an M3 logo for my
316?' etc).

Thanks.

This doesn't sound like the problem that I had with a Peugeot diesel
but might be worth checking. It got progressively more difficult to
start and it was diagnosed as an air leak in the fuel system. The pipes
to the fuel filter were renewed but the problem persisted. It got to a
point where I had to prime the filter with the small hand pump every
time I needed to start the car. A new complete fuel filter assembley
cured the problem.

Kevin

try alt auto bmw, its chock full of BMW nerds who are more than willing
to help.

However I'd try to switch on the ignition for about 10 seconds , then
starting the car.
If it starts first time then then you may have a blown bulb on the
dash, behind a 'pigtial' symbol.

(My brother in law used to drive a diesel and never bothered to wait
for the light to go out started fine most of the time (he was a plonker
of the highest order however))

Iv'e got a c reg 518 that always starts on the button , so you should
have a few years left yet in her

wrote:
Kev wrote:
Grumps wrote:
Hi All

I've got a 7 year old BMW 530d and it has developed an intermittent
starting issue. Normally, it will start with just a flick of the
ignition, but now it sometimes takes about 5 seconds. It turns over
easily, so I don't suspect a battery problem. The battery however,
is one that has a charge indicator, and it is black (insufficient
charge). Of course it should be green, but at least it isn't orange
(dead)!

Before this car I had another BMW diesel. When starting this one,
you had to wait for the instrument panel's pigtail symbol to
extinguish before cranking. This was, as you know, to allow the
glow plugs to heat up.

The current car does not have this pigtail symbol, so how does it
work? It still has glow plugs I assume?
My thoughts as to the intermittent starting problem were that there
is a loose connection to or from the glow plug relay. Any other
thoughts before Mr Local 'tie me up and steal my money' BMW Dealer
has a look? Oh, and if anyone knows where said relay is likely to
be, that'd be useful too.

PS I've tried some BMW specific online forums, but these seem to
have degenerated since I last used them ('where can I find an M3
logo for my 316?' etc).

Thanks.

This doesn't sound like the problem that I had with a Peugeot diesel
but might be worth checking. It got progressively more difficult to
start and it was diagnosed as an air leak in the fuel system. The
pipes to the fuel filter were renewed but the problem persisted. It
got to a point where I had to prime the filter with the small hand
pump every time I needed to start the car. A new complete fuel
filter assembley cured the problem.

Kevin

try alt auto bmw, its chock full of BMW nerds who are more than
willing to help.

However I'd try to switch on the ignition for about 10 seconds , then
starting the car.
If it starts first time then then you may have a blown bulb on the
dash, behind a 'pigtial' symbol.

(My brother in law used to drive a diesel and never bothered to wait
for the light to go out started fine most of the time (he was a
plonker of the highest order however))

Iv'e got a c reg 518 that always starts on the button , so you should
have a few years left yet in her

Thanks, I'll try that ng.
I have tried waiting before cranking; makes no difference.
And there really isn't a pigtail indicator.

Grumps wrote:
wrote:
Kev wrote:
Grumps wrote:
Hi All

I've got a 7 year old BMW 530d and it has developed an intermittent
starting issue. Normally, it will start with just a flick of the
ignition, but now it sometimes takes about 5 seconds. It turns over
easily, so I don't suspect a battery problem. The battery however,
is one that has a charge indicator, and it is black (insufficient
charge). Of course it should be green, but at least it isn't orange
(dead)!

Before this car I had another BMW diesel. When starting this one,
you had to wait for the instrument panel's pigtail symbol to
extinguish before cranking. This was, as you know, to allow the
glow plugs to heat up.

The current car does not have this pigtail symbol, so how does it
work? It still has glow plugs I assume?
My thoughts as to the intermittent starting problem were that there
is a loose connection to or from the glow plug relay. Any other
thoughts before Mr Local 'tie me up and steal my money' BMW Dealer
has a look? Oh, and if anyone knows where said relay is likely to
be, that'd be useful too.

PS I've tried some BMW specific online forums, but these seem to
have degenerated since I last used them ('where can I find an M3
logo for my 316?' etc).

Thanks.

This doesn't sound like the problem that I had with a Peugeot diesel
but might be worth checking. It got progressively more difficult to
start and it was diagnosed as an air leak in the fuel system. The
pipes to the fuel filter were renewed but the problem persisted. It
got to a point where I had to prime the filter with the small hand
pump every time I needed to start the car. A new complete fuel
filter assembley cured the problem.

Kevin

try alt auto bmw, its chock full of BMW nerds who are more than
willing to help.

However I'd try to switch on the ignition for about 10 seconds , then
starting the car.
If it starts first time then then you may have a blown bulb on the
dash, behind a 'pigtial' symbol.

(My brother in law used to drive a diesel and never bothered to wait
for the light to go out started fine most of the time (he was a
plonker of the highest order however))

Iv'e got a c reg 518 that always starts on the button , so you should
have a few years left yet in her

Thanks, I'll try that ng.
I have tried waiting before cranking; makes no difference.
And there really isn't a pigtail indicator.

are you sure ?
even new diesels need thier plugs warmed first (and have a pigtail
light) ....
Still live and learn .....

wrote:
Grumps wrote:
wrote:
Kev wrote:
Grumps wrote:
Hi All

I've got a 7 year old BMW 530d and it has developed an
intermittent starting issue. Normally, it will start with just a
flick of the ignition, but now it sometimes takes about 5
seconds. It turns over easily, so I don't suspect a battery
problem. The battery however, is one that has a charge indicator,
and it is black (insufficient charge). Of course it should be
green, but at least it isn't orange (dead)!

Before this car I had another BMW diesel. When starting this one,
you had to wait for the instrument panel's pigtail symbol to
extinguish before cranking. This was, as you know, to allow the
glow plugs to heat up.

The current car does not have this pigtail symbol, so how does it
work? It still has glow plugs I assume?
My thoughts as to the intermittent starting problem were that
there is a loose connection to or from the glow plug relay. Any
other thoughts before Mr Local 'tie me up and steal my money' BMW
Dealer has a look? Oh, and if anyone knows where said relay is
likely to be, that'd be useful too.

PS I've tried some BMW specific online forums, but these seem to
have degenerated since I last used them ('where can I find an M3
logo for my 316?' etc).

Thanks.

This doesn't sound like the problem that I had with a Peugeot
diesel but might be worth checking. It got progressively more
difficult to start and it was diagnosed as an air leak in the fuel
system. The pipes to the fuel filter were renewed but the problem
persisted. It got to a point where I had to prime the filter with
the small hand pump every time I needed to start the car. A new
complete fuel filter assembley cured the problem.

Kevin

try alt auto bmw, its chock full of BMW nerds who are more than
willing to help.

However I'd try to switch on the ignition for about 10 seconds ,
then starting the car.
If it starts first time then then you may have a blown bulb on the
dash, behind a 'pigtial' symbol.

(My brother in law used to drive a diesel and never bothered to wait
for the light to go out started fine most of the time (he was a
plonker of the highest order however))

Iv'e got a c reg 518 that always starts on the button , so you
should have a few years left yet in her

Thanks, I'll try that ng.
I have tried waiting before cranking; makes no difference.
And there really isn't a pigtail indicator.

are you sure ?
even new diesels need thier plugs warmed first (and have a pigtail
light) ....
Still live and learn .....

Maybe they warm up much quicker so they don't bother with the light.
My old Corsa and Current 206 Van both have pigtails. My mate's Mitsubishi
and my FIL's Merc don't.

I thought it was older indirect injection diesels with conventional
timed pumps that had the greatest need for glow plugs.

Direct injection less requirement.

Common rail systems less still.

So they may have glowplugs, but the warming time may be very short.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Glow_plug

And there really isn't a pigtail indicator.

are you sure ?
even new diesels need thier plugs warmed first (and have a pigtail
light) ....

Modern diesels often run the pump and glowplugs to "prime" the engine when
you unlock the doors, so there is no need for a light. It also means that
starting can sometimes be slightly more difficult if you wait too long
before starting the engine.

It is also why, on a modern diesel, if you accidentally fill with petrol, do
ABSOLUTELY NOTHING until the fuel can be pumped out. DO NOT touch the keys
or attempt to lock or unlock the doors. Otherwise, you can find your petrol
has caused several thousand pounds worth of damage to the fuel pump.

Christian.

wrote:


are you sure ?
even new diesels need thier plugs warmed first (and have a pigtail
light) ....

Neighbour's newish-jag which is powered by some awesome twin-turbo Vee
diesel does not have a glowplug symbol. He was warned (by Jaguar) that
if he inadvertently fills it with petrol he must _under no
circumstances_ even unlock the vehicle. Apparently it _does_ have some
sort of preheat system, but it commences as soon as the doors are
unlocked, thus there is no embarrassing pause once you have jumped into
your sleek executive conveyance!

Richard

Grumps wrote:
Hi All

I've got a 7 year old BMW 530d and it has developed an intermittent starting
issue. Normally, it will start with just a flick of the ignition, but now it
sometimes takes about 5 seconds. It turns over easily, so I don't suspect a
battery problem. The battery however, is one that has a charge indicator,
and it is black (insufficient charge). Of course it should be green, but at
least it isn't orange (dead)!

Before this car I had another BMW diesel. When starting this one, you had to
wait for the instrument panel's pigtail symbol to extinguish before
cranking. This was, as you know, to allow the glow plugs to heat up.

The current car does not have this pigtail symbol, so how does it work? It
still has glow plugs I assume?
My thoughts as to the intermittent starting problem were that there is a
loose connection to or from the glow plug relay. Any other thoughts before
Mr Local 'tie me up and steal my money' BMW Dealer has a look? Oh, and if
anyone knows where said relay is likely to be, that'd be useful too.

PS I've tried some BMW specific online forums, but these seem to have
degenerated since I last used them ('where can I find an M3 logo for my
316?' etc).

Thanks.


Our Freelander also is difficult to start on a low battery. BMW diesel
engine. I suspect the glow plugs don't glow as bright..

"Grumps" wrote in message
...
Hi All

I've got a 7 year old BMW 530d and it has developed an intermittent
starting issue. Normally, it will start with just a flick of the ignition,
but now it sometimes takes about 5 seconds. It turns over easily, so I
don't suspect a battery problem. The battery however, is one that has a
charge indicator, and it is black (insufficient charge). Of course it
should be green, but at least it isn't orange (dead)!

Before this car I had another BMW diesel. When starting this one, you had
to wait for the instrument panel's pigtail symbol to extinguish before
cranking. This was, as you know, to allow the glow plugs to heat up.

The current car does not have this pigtail symbol, so how does it work? It
still has glow plugs I assume?
My thoughts as to the intermittent starting problem were that there is a
loose connection to or from the glow plug relay. Any other thoughts before
Mr Local 'tie me up and steal my money' BMW Dealer has a look? Oh, and if
anyone knows where said relay is likely to be, that'd be useful too.

PS I've tried some BMW specific online forums, but these seem to have
degenerated since I last used them ('where can I find an M3 logo for my
316?' etc).

Thanks.

I'm about 20 years out of date, however: You shouldn't assume that your glow
plugs, heaters, etc... are (all) ok. Are they connected in series, or in
parallel. If connected in series, one faulty one (open circuit) will affect
the others; also a series resistance assembly may be used (for 4-cylinder
engines), which could be faulty.
Check that each heater has the right voltage on it (12v. on a parallel
connection, and 2v. on a series one).
How much trouble is it to take them out?
Test them electrically, whilst out of the engine; keeping the test to a
minimum to avoid overheating. Keep in mind that the voltage for series
connected ones will be lower (2v.).
It's a good habit to take them out occasionally for a check (best prior to
the winter).

Sylvain.