Is it my speedo console, or maybe the fuel system. Or maybe the car key???

WAMz4 · 02-16-2014, 03:07 PM

The problem is very sporadic. It will go days or weeks with no problems and then do it several times in a day. Here’s what happens – When I get in and turn the key, it just spins the starter and will not start no matter how long I keep the key in start position. At first I thought it was just cold weather and a weak battery. So I had the battery changed. This was done at the dealer so the battery was installed correctly and registered to the car as described in the manual for 2006 3.0si This did not fix the issue.

Here’s the kicker and why I believe it is an electrical issue and not the fuel system. I noticed the last few times it occurred that my dash console lights were not coming on right away. e.g. – I insert the key and turn to position 2, no dash or console lights. At this point if I turn to position 3 to start the engine, it will not start. The starter will just whine as if the engine isn’t getting fuel.

However, If I wait for the console lights to come on, sometimes a delay of several seconds, sometimes not until I turn the key from position 2 back to position 0 and start over to get the console to light up. As soon as the console lights up. The engine will start.
Does this sound like a problem with the console? Or maybe the key itself?

Has anyone here ever seen this before?

elerner61 · 02-16-2014, 04:13 PM

Possibly the key switch mechanism. Depending on use, age of the car and weight on the key ring you may need to replace it. There is a DIY somewhere.

WAMz4 · 02-17-2014, 10:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by elerner61

Possibly the key switch mechanism. Depending on use, age of the car and weight on the key ring you may need to replace it. There is a DIY somewhere.

Thanks for the info. I can probably have that checked or tested? I carry a car key and a house key because I hate things in my pockets.

I'm assuming since over 100 people have looked at this post without commenting that it's a problem no one else has had?

gghg · 02-17-2014, 11:29 AM

Sounds like an electrical problem, I would start with the ignition switch easy enough to change.

SCHMOUPE · 02-18-2014, 08:23 AM

Does this happen with all your keys? Assuming you have more than one master key

3002 tii · 02-18-2014, 09:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SCHMOUPE

Does this happen with all your keys? Assuming you have more than one master key

That reminds me, how many keys are we supposed to have, 2 or 3? Don't recall if it was 2 keys but 1 master key for reprogramming purposes or something.

XMetal · 02-18-2014, 09:33 AM

You should have 2 regular keys and 1 plastic key. There is no "master" key. Both key "fobs" are the same, but can be programmed independently for key-specific memory features.

WAMz4 · 02-18-2014, 10:30 AM

I have 2 keys. The second on hasnt been used since Fall so I will switch it out and see what happens.

SCHMOUPE · 02-18-2014, 10:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by XMetal

You should have 2 regular keys and 1 plastic key. There is no "master" key. Both key "fobs" are the same, but can be programmed independently for key-specific memory features.

Masters are the diamond ones. You can have regular metal keys with no buttons. I have one. To answer the how many, I think you get 2 from BMW but you can have an additional 6 (I think) programmed through dealer.

SCHMOUPE · 02-18-2014, 10:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by WAMz4

I have 2 keys. The second on hasnt been used since Fall so I will switch it out and see what happens.

Yes, definitely do that and report your findings.

SD ///M4 · 02-19-2014, 01:43 PM

If you are not the original owner and didn't get the plastic key when you bought your car, I would highly recommend that you order the plastic key from the dealer. I think it's around $36.

My car only came with one key and didn't include the plastic key. I immediately bought a second key because I didn't want to be without a spare. I ended up locking my keys in the trunk one day and wasted an hour or so of my time getting a ride home to pick up the spare key. I decided I should get the plastic key and keep it in my wallet.

Last August I drove to Oktoberfest early so that I could attend a couple of events the prior weekend. On Thursday night I was at Baja Cantina in Carmel Valley and I put my ///M jacket on a chair. My car key was in a pocket. I left my seat and when I came back my jacket was gone along with the keys (fortunately, the car wasn't). I had the plastic key in my wallet which not only allowed me to open the car but also to start it. My wife drove up on Saturday and brought her key which I used until I got back home and was able to order another key.

WAMz4 · 02-21-2014, 05:32 PM

So, It happens with both keys. I'm pretty sure its a bad ignition switch. When the console does not light up, jiggling the key does nothing but turning the key off and back on until the console lights up works every time.
I figure by process of elimination, switch the ignition out and see if it still happens.

gghg · 02-22-2014, 07:29 AM

I had a similar problem with a 3 series where it was intermittent. The ignition switched fixed the problem.

02-16-2014, 03:07 PM	#1
WAMz4 First Lieutenant 45 Rep 384 Posts Drives: 2006 Z4 3.0si Roady Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Denver CO iTrader: (0)	Is it my speedo console, or maybe the fuel system. Or maybe the car key??? The problem is very sporadic. It will go days or weeks with no problems and then do it several times in a day. Here’s what happens – When I get in and turn the key, it just spins the starter and will not start no matter how long I keep the key in start position. At first I thought it was just cold weather and a weak battery. So I had the battery changed. This was done at the dealer so the battery was installed correctly and registered to the car as described in the manual for 2006 3.0si This did not fix the issue. Here’s the kicker and why I believe it is an electrical issue and not the fuel system. I noticed the last few times it occurred that my dash console lights were not coming on right away. e.g. – I insert the key and turn to position 2, no dash or console lights. At this point if I turn to position 3 to start the engine, it will not start. The starter will just whine as if the engine isn’t getting fuel. However, If I wait for the console lights to come on, sometimes a delay of several seconds, sometimes not until I turn the key from position 2 back to position 0 and start over to get the console to light up. As soon as the console lights up. The engine will start. Does this sound like a problem with the console? Or maybe the key itself? Has anyone here ever seen this before? __________________ The Internet said it. I believe it. That settles it!
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02-16-2014, 04:13 PM	#2
elerner61 Major 157 Rep 1,107 Posts Drives: '07 Z4M Roadster Join Date: May 2011 Location: Mount Kisco, NY iTrader: (0)	Possibly the key switch mechanism. Depending on use, age of the car and weight on the key ring you may need to replace it. There is a DIY somewhere.
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02-17-2014, 11:29 AM	#4
gghg Enlisted Member 5 Rep 48 Posts Drives: 06 M Coupe Join Date: Sep 2012 Location: Ontario, Canada iTrader: (0)	Sounds like an electrical problem, I would start with the ignition switch easy enough to change.
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02-18-2014, 08:23 AM	#5
SCHMOUPE Lieutenant Colonel 127 Rep 1,772 Posts Drives: 2007 Z4M Coupe Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: NJ iTrader: (7) Garage List 2007 Z4M Coupe [0.00]	Does this happen with all your keys? Assuming you have more than one master key __________________ Gruppe M CAI / Euro Headers / Rogue Engineering X-pipe / RE Diablo Exhaust
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02-18-2014, 09:33 AM	#7
XMetal Colonel 1135 Rep 2,866 Posts Drives: Anything Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: SoCal iTrader: (0) Garage List 2008 Z4M Coupe [10.00] 2018 Audi S3 [0.00] 2004 X5 [8.50]	You should have 2 regular keys and 1 plastic key. There is no "master" key. Both key "fobs" are the same, but can be programmed independently for key-specific memory features.
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02-18-2014, 10:30 AM	#8
WAMz4 First Lieutenant 45 Rep 384 Posts Drives: 2006 Z4 3.0si Roady Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Denver CO iTrader: (0)	I have 2 keys. The second on hasnt been used since Fall so I will switch it out and see what happens. __________________ The Internet said it. I believe it. That settles it!
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02-19-2014, 01:43 PM	#11
SD ///M4 ///Multiple 2992 Rep 4,243 Posts Drives: M4 Coupe \| M3 \| Z4M Roadster Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: San Diego, CA iTrader: (1) Garage List 2006 BMW Z4 M Roadster [8.81] 2016 BMW M4 Coupe ( ... [10.00] 2018 BMW M3 (Euro D ... [0.00] 2011 BMW 335is Coup ... [10.00]	If you are not the original owner and didn't get the plastic key when you bought your car, I would highly recommend that you order the plastic key from the dealer. I think it's around $36. My car only came with one key and didn't include the plastic key. I immediately bought a second key because I didn't want to be without a spare. I ended up locking my keys in the trunk one day and wasted an hour or so of my time getting a ride home to pick up the spare key. I decided I should get the plastic key and keep it in my wallet. Last August I drove to Oktoberfest early so that I could attend a couple of events the prior weekend. On Thursday night I was at Baja Cantina in Carmel Valley and I put my ///M jacket on a chair. My car key was in a pocket. I left my seat and when I came back my jacket was gone along with the keys (fortunately, the car wasn't). I had the plastic key in my wallet which not only allowed me to open the car but also to start it. My wife drove up on Saturday and brought her key which I used until I got back home and was able to order another key. __________________ The Coupe: 2016 M4 \| Sakhir Orange \| Black Full Merino Leather \| CF Trim \| M-DCT \| More \| ED 5/13/16 The Sedan: 2018 M3 \| San Marino Blue \| Black Full Merino Leather \| CF Trim \| M-DCT \| ZCP \| ED 7/18/18 The Roadster: 2006 Z4 \| Interlagos Blue \| Black Extended Nappa Leather \| Carbon Leather Trim \| Purchased 7/19/12
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02-21-2014, 05:32 PM	#12
WAMz4 First Lieutenant 45 Rep 384 Posts Drives: 2006 Z4 3.0si Roady Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Denver CO iTrader: (0)	So, It happens with both keys. I'm pretty sure its a bad ignition switch. When the console does not light up, jiggling the key does nothing but turning the key off and back on until the console lights up works every time. I figure by process of elimination, switch the ignition out and see if it still happens. __________________ The Internet said it. I believe it. That settles it!
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02-22-2014, 07:29 AM	#13
gghg Enlisted Member 5 Rep 48 Posts Drives: 06 M Coupe Join Date: Sep 2012 Location: Ontario, Canada iTrader: (0)	I had a similar problem with a 3 series where it was intermittent. The ignition switched fixed the problem.
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