Hi guys,

I've run into a problem twice with my 2004 545i (89XXX kms) starting so wondering if you guys have had some experience with it. It's happened recently within the last month and both time after i've washed my car, I live in Calgary, Alberta and the weather was around -10ēC on a bright sunny day.

1st time: I washed the car, took it out of the wash to dry it out and after i'm done, the car wouldn't start again, tried jump starting it with a 2007 Passat and no go. Called a tow truck, and the guy jump started it and it ran fine after that.

2nd time: This weekend I washed the car again in similar weather and when I was drying the car out I didn't shut it off and then I drove it home and left it outside for a few hours, parked it insdie the garage overnight. Took it out of the garage next morning and left it outside on a sunny day as well with temperature around 2ēC for about 4-5 hours and tried starting it and it didn't start again. Called a tow truck and the guy jump started it and now its fine again.

Both time I could hear a ticking noise but the motor wouldn't turn, could it be a battery issue? The tow truck driver said that he noticed a sound in engine while it was idling.....sound resembling a sticky valve. He made me listen to the sound he was talking about and I thought it was normal. I also noticed that out of my exhaust which is stock (2 tips), the fumes are only coming out of one tip and not the other.

Can any one shed some light on this? I'm really confused.

Thanks!

PS: To the guy who recently bought a 545 is worried, don't worry, they're solid cars, just have some minor glitches here and there but you gotta love them and they love you back!

 

it seems the car needs a new battery. I am in Calgary too and own a 545i too. I had similar problem. just replace to a new battery in which costs $275 at Sheni auto Trend (www.sheniautotrend.com) or NAPA. The Gallery or Calgary BMW) dealers will tell you about $450 so don't go if you want to save money.

 

First, the exhaust system is designed to only use one pipe until at higher RPM (mine around 3,500+). That is normal. You'll see a vacuum-operated valve at the back end of the muffler/resonator that controls it.

Second, ticking (or clicking) during starting attempt means weak battery to me. Not enough amps to crank, but some there to close the solenoid causing the clicking. Can you have your battery tested? That also seems to explain why it starts with a jump, right?

 

I was thinking the battery is the problems as well but wasn't sure as both times it's happened after I washed my car and when I tried to jump it with another car it didn't work.
Exhaust makes sense, 1st time I noticed it so I was thinking maybe there's more to it. Thanks for clarifying that.

Thanks Miguex, I deal with Sheni all the time and am gonna make an appointment with him to replace my battery.

 

Cool!!

 

I just replaced battery for my 545 at the dealer. It was only about $270 + tax installed.

I have them do an oil change at the same time so i was out the door minus $444.

 

Had the same problem with my 545 and it was the battery. Don't just buy a batter and replace it, you need to get the battery registered to the cars electronics or you will run into this problem again down the road. I think from the dealer it cost me like $376 total.

 

You need a new battery.