Z3 2.1 2001 struggling to engage ignition ... sometimes

[Joe.sharples]

Hi everyone,

I was wondering if anyone could be kind enough to help me with a strange fault I’m having with my BMW Z3 2.1 2001. Occasionally after turning the ignition the car will splutter for around 5 seconds trying to engage before finally engaging. The reason this is strange is that most of the time it starts instantly no problems. I have noticed this fault is more likely to happen after briefly turning off the engine like at the petrol station.

Ive had the car serviced and yet the fault is still occurring which makes me suspect it’s not the fluid as I would think the garage would have spotted the problem. Could it simply be the starter motor?

Thank you in advance to any replies, I really appreciate it.

thanks, Joe

 

[t-tony]

Sounds very like the symptoms I had when my Inlet Camshaft position sensor failed on my 2000 2.0 Z3.

Tony.

 

[hard top]

I am not sure about this but it could be something to do with the module in the immobilizer unit @t-tony ?

 

[mrscalex]

I am not sure about this but it could be something to do with the module in the immobilizer unit @t-tony ?

I wouldn't have thought so. If the car cranks it's not the immobiliser/EWS.

You need to put a code reader on it. And as @t-tony says it might well be the camshaft sensor. I wouldn't rule out the MAF or a leak in the intake system either. You may or may not get a meaningful code if it's one of them.

I'm assuming here by not engaging you mean not firing. Or do you mean the starter motor is not engaging/is lazy?

 

[t-tony]

I took it to mean the engine cranks and fires but won’t pick up and run, like me Z3 did.

Tony.

 

[mrscalex]

I took it to mean the engine cranks and fires but won’t pick up and run, like me Z3 did.

Tony.

Indeed, could be that too. Was just trying to eliminate the possibility the description meant it was a lazy starter.