Starts only when I release the accelerator

[devsigner]

Hi folks

Does this sound like a real thing?

My wife normally puts her foot down when starting her X5 (2005 3.0d E53).

The first try in the morning just won't start, sits and turns over until it starts to slow down.

I've driven it for a couple of days now and notice that it bursts into life as soon as I take my foot off the fuel pedal.

WTF?

Sometimes it runs horribly for about 5 seconds before running smooth.

I've been told lazy starter motor by the garage (99% certain).

Any other ideas before I part with hundreds?

cheers!

[grumpywurzel]

You could have a lazy starter but it can be any of the following too

Duff battery, common fault. These old girls hate tired batteries. This can be effected by a lazy/knackered starter though so its worth going to a proper battery supplier and getting your battery tested (should be free), they should also check the charging voltage of the alternator too.

A knackered starter has been reported that it draws too much current (hence killing off a battery prematurely), again a auto electrician should be able to check.

Alternator fault, not charging the battery correctly in the first place

Short distance driving, doesn't allow the alternator to recharge in time

Cold weather, will kill off a dying battery

Glow plugs/controller, if these aren't working then the engine will be harder to start (do you get and white smoke when the engine does fire)

Tbh I don't ever need to start mine with the throttle depressed, just allow all the lights to go out and fire it up

[devsigner]

thanks for the reply

the battery was replaced last summer

I've been doing long motorway runs the last couple of days with some occasional hard acceleration in order to see if that helps matters

I'm worrying that I'm going to shell out for the starter only to find another issue as sometimes the starter is slow and other times fast but still not starting till I lift my foot off the pedal

we've got a lot to pay for right now so would prefer to spend it wisely

[PokenH00D]

I've never started any diesel with foot on the gas. Same as Grumpwurzel says, ignition lights out and crank em up.
Have you tried starting it without foot on gas pedal as the TPS may be preventing it from starting with too much fuel available.

[devsigner]

thanks for the suggestions

I'll give it a try at home time

this is our first diesel and we both learnt to drive in old petrol bangers (mine was a Triumph Dolomite!) so have probably got into bad habbits

[grumpywurzel]

X5Sport our expert will know more about what the X5 does more than most, but try to start it without using the throttle pedal. These girls don't like to be rushed, so get in the car, turn on the ignition then wait. Firstly because of the various systems need to settle but also you need to let the glow plugs (assuming they are working) do their thing and heat up the cylinders.

Don't go and start changing bits and bobs on the the say so of a garage, get the battery and alternator checked if the zero throttle thing doesn't work, also see if you can get the error codes read (if u have any)before splashing out mega bucks on random bits and bobs

[devsigner]

thanks for the good advice grumpywurzel

the bm specialist we're using said glow-plugs shouldn't be an issue even though all 6 show up as problematic on the diagnostic

I've asked the garage to do an amp drop test on the starter motor as I've been told that's a good indicator of starter health

just had full service with fuel, air, crankcase and oil filters

on startup there's some light blue smoke

I'm told it's unlikely to be injectors

here's hoping the garage find something cheap to fix on thursday if the no throttle startup doesn't fix things

any further cheap test suggestions greatly appreciated!

[grumpywurzel]

To give you some reassurance, I have four duff glow plugs according to the system, also get a tiny bit if whiteish smoke but that's unburnt fuel but it starts first time (touch wood) even in the cold.

Try giving the car a chance to wake up and don't use the throttle, see if that helps.

[grumpywurzel]

Sad that I am i tried to start the car when I got home last night with my foot depressed on the throttle like you do, it did start but it didn't like it.

Hope you get it sorted

[devsigner]

thanks for having a go grumpywurzel

I'm going to take it for a quick battery and alternator check today

I tried this morning cold after a long motorway run yesterday and it turned over noticeably faster than it normally does after the school runs my wife does

This seems to suggest either:

1. the engine is somehow easier to turn
2. the starter motor has freed up
3. more power is available to overcome the resistance to turning over

the third is the cheapest option so I'll go with that first

[RickUK]

Only had my E53 3d for about 6 weeks and must admit i have never had the need to put my foot on the throttle,it starts 1st time on the turn of the key,before lashing out any money on taking it too a garage try starting it a few days from cold without any use of the throttle.At least that way you can eliminate that potential cause of the problem and it costs nothing as well.

Hope you get to the bottom of the problem quickly and without any financial outlay 

[devsigner]

thanks RickUK

I'll report back once I get to the bottom of it

[X5Sport]

None of my BMW diesels, or any others Ines I have owned have needed any throttle to start.  There may be an inhibit if you do put any on, hence it not wanting to start.

If your battery state drops after only a couple of starts then suspect the starter.  Known issue on the E53 from 2004 onwards.  You need a 'current clamp' which any decent auto electrician will have, and it should draw around 180A.  The check takes seconds to do.  More than that figure is a sure sign of trouble and the starter needs replacing.  If they draw large amounts then the alternator can't get the charge back in, even after 30-miles of driving.

My E53 was >900A and the E46 was ~540A.  Both needed replacing.

[henrym3]

Jez X5 I know your clued up, didn't know you could see into the future. Don't think I'll be around in 2094

[X5Sport]

[quote="henrym3"]
Jez X5 I know your clued up, didn't know you could see into the future. Don't think I'll be around in 2094
[/quote]

LOL.....I even retyped that, blasted auto correct!  Seems it is now in the Dictionary so that will need resetting.  Fixed (I hope!)