I really am desperate for help in solving the starting problem that I have had with my 2001 X5 for more than a year now. The problem is intermittent and seems to be more prevalent when the outside air temperature is high and is becoming much worse as time goes by. In the past it might go away for a week or two but more recently it happens almost every day. Normally the car will start first kick when turning the key to the start position but often it does not start even if you just keep the key in the start position with the engine turning over continuously. It's as if there is an electronic problem switching off the ignition. Some say it is the key so putting the key in and out might help or changing to the spare key might help but this has not done the trick. Others have said it is to do with the alarm system but that apparently is not faulty. Lately, the best solution seems to be to move the gear lever back and forward a few times and then retry. However, this does not always work and I can battle going on like this until the battery is flat without it starting. Recently I noticed that the engine would even turn over regardless of the position of the gear lever, even in reverse position. This should not happen with the gear lever in drive or reverse. Some knowledgeable guy immediately said that's my problem, the electronic gear selector switch inside the gearbox was faulty and must be replaced, so last week I went ahead and had this done at great expense of course. The day after I got the car back the problem returned so this obviously was not the cause of the problem.
Please, please can someone with expert knowledge of this problem with the BMW X5 give me some guidance on what I can try next?
Regards Malkie.
Please, please can someone with expert knowledge of this problem with the BMW X5 give me some guidance on what I can try next?
Regards Malkie.
