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BMW 5-Series (G30) Forum Mechanical Maintenance - Break-in, Oil, Fluids, Servicing Engine start not possible - Starting system failure

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      09-28-2020, 06:16 AM   #1
red-max
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Engine start not possible - Starting system failure

My 2018 520d has developed an intermittent fault where it refuses to start.
The iDrive shows:

STOP Engine start not possible
Starting system failure. Call roadside assistance.

This has happened twice, and thankfully in both cases I have been able to start the car after shutting it off, locking it, unlock it, and attempting to start it again.

I don't think the battery is low (or shouldn't be) as I went on a 200+ mile journey only a week ago, with no problem. Admittedly the car has been sitting around less used than normal during the COVID19 lockdown.

I searched for these messages, and I don't get any hits, so looks like this isn't a common problem. I have the car booked in with the dealer next week, just wondered if anyone else has seen this problem, or has any advice if it happens again. The car is an automatic, so there's not much chance to bump-start it, or even roll it back/forwards.
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      10-14-2020, 05:10 PM   #2
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Update on this: my local (UK) BMW dealer diagnosed the fault, and a replacement starter motor was ordered and fitted, covered under warranty as the car is less than 3 years old.
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Previously: 2015 F32 430d M Sport, 2012 F10 520d M Sport, 2009 E92 320d M Sport, 2006 E92 335d, 2004 E60 530d, 2000 E39 525d, 1997 E39 523i
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      08-20-2021, 08:20 AM   #3
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Bought X3 G01 20d XLine 3 weeks ago (28 July 2021), car registered sept 2018, have experienced the same intermittent starting problem, occurred about 10 times in the 3 weeks I've owned it. The fix for me was to press Park and retry, which worked at first or second attempt. However, a day ago the starter motor clicked 3 times (like when the battery is dead) and then the engine got turned over normally and started.

Took 2 weeks to get it booked in to BMW York, went in this morning (20 August 2021), gave them all dates/times it occurred, they've checked fault codes and ordering a new starter motor. I wonder if this is a common issue? Maybe they've improved the design, certainly hope so. Failure after only 11,000 miles seems to indicate a potential design/manufacturing issue.
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      01-11-2022, 03:55 PM   #4
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Exclamation

I got this message today as well - 2018 BMW X3. I bought pre owned with 29K miles, it has 36K now and got it this AM.

BMW roadside picked up and it was sent to the dealer this afternoon. One dealer was a 2 week wait the other said they would put in queue because it came in on a tow truck but can't guarantee a time before next week. Hoping it's still under warranty. Will update later on - this was the only page I found with my exact issue/car models so if people in the future are looking I'll try to keep you updated.
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      11-19-2022, 09:50 AM   #5
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Quote:
Originally Posted by red-max View Post
Update on this: my local (UK) BMW dealer diagnosed the fault, and a replacement starter motor was ordered and fitted, covered under warranty as the car is less than 3 years old.
Hi
Did this fix the problem?
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      11-21-2022, 10:49 PM   #6
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Starters are common failures in modern BMWs. I attribute this to start/stop crap, but have zero objective evidence to back it up. So essentially in today’s world that’s #fact
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      11-22-2022, 07:41 PM   #7
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Quote:
Originally Posted by admranger View Post
Starters are common failures in modern BMWs. I attribute this to start/stop crap, but have zero objective evidence to back it up. So essentially in today’s world that’s #fact
According to my neighbor friend who worked as a maintenance guy for post office vehicles, the constant starting/stopping was very, very hard on the starters. He said they replaced them pretty regularly.
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