Cold cranking cycles

redz06 · 07-15-2013, 09:10 PM

2011 335i sedan here, 29000 miles. Last winter (but not so cold in Houston, TX) my car exhibited long cranking cycles in the morning. Typically this would be at temperatures between 35 and 50 degF, so not so cold for most of you. Once the engine started, it ran totally normally. When we got into spring and summer, the long cranking cycles totally went away and it starts right up.

Never has the car ran abnormally or shown any alarms, error messages, half engines, etc. I mentioned it to my dealer and he wants to run diagnostics on the car at my cost during the next oil and filter change. I think this is $210, although I do not understand why I would pay a penny during factory warranty. I think I could be wasting my money since the issue has not shown itself in the last 4 months. What do you think? What could cause this other than the dreaded HPFP?

norsairius · 07-15-2013, 09:28 PM

I think it's just cold temperatures.

I experienced the same thing living up here in Wisconsin and I think it's safe to say that we get much colder temperatures up here than you do down in Texas. Granted, I got my car in early March, so I didn't have the car during the coldest parts of the winter, but it still easily saw the temperatures you're stating if not lower. Heck, the second day I had it, the car was driven in a snow storm.

In any case, I had my car looked at for the same reason. It seemed to take longer to crank and start. The dealership couldn't find anything wrong. I wouldn't worry too much to be honest. As you said, the problem goes away as outside ambient temperatures increased too, so my guess is it's just the cold. I can't guarantee that's it, but that's my read on it.

williamf · 07-16-2013, 02:38 AM

Your battery is probably weakening with age. Have the battery tested at Autozone or Discount Tire. If it were me, I would swap the battery either now or wait until late fall.

Batteries do not do well in extreme heat or extreme cold. Houston summers are what kills batteries, but it is a slow death and it usually takes its dying breath during the first cold snap of the season (you know December or January around here).

07-15-2013, 09:10 PM	#1
redz06 Private First Class 24 Rep 185 Posts Drives: 2011 335i sedan Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: Fulshear, TX, US iTrader: (0)	Cold cranking cycles 2011 335i sedan here, 29000 miles. Last winter (but not so cold in Houston, TX) my car exhibited long cranking cycles in the morning. Typically this would be at temperatures between 35 and 50 degF, so not so cold for most of you. Once the engine started, it ran totally normally. When we got into spring and summer, the long cranking cycles totally went away and it starts right up. Never has the car ran abnormally or shown any alarms, error messages, half engines, etc. I mentioned it to my dealer and he wants to run diagnostics on the car at my cost during the next oil and filter change. I think this is $210, although I do not understand why I would pay a penny during factory warranty. I think I could be wasting my money since the issue has not shown itself in the last 4 months. What do you think? What could cause this other than the dreaded HPFP?
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07-15-2013, 09:28 PM	#2
norsairius Foodie and Gearhead 102 Rep 733 Posts Drives: 2011 335i xDrive Sedan Join Date: Mar 2013 Location: MN iTrader: (0) Garage List 2011 BMW 335i xDriv ... [9.50]	I think it's just cold temperatures. I experienced the same thing living up here in Wisconsin and I think it's safe to say that we get much colder temperatures up here than you do down in Texas. Granted, I got my car in early March, so I didn't have the car during the coldest parts of the winter, but it still easily saw the temperatures you're stating if not lower. Heck, the second day I had it, the car was driven in a snow storm. In any case, I had my car looked at for the same reason. It seemed to take longer to crank and start. The dealership couldn't find anything wrong. I wouldn't worry too much to be honest. As you said, the problem goes away as outside ambient temperatures increased too, so my guess is it's just the cold. I can't guarantee that's it, but that's my read on it. __________________ 2011 335i xDrive Sedan, Deep Sea Blue w/Oyster Interior
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07-16-2013, 02:38 AM	#3
williamf Audi Convert 9 Rep 362 Posts Drives: Past: 335i Now: TTRS stage 2+ Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Houston iTrader: (0)	Your battery is probably weakening with age. Have the battery tested at Autozone or Discount Tire. If it were me, I would swap the battery either now or wait until late fall. Batteries do not do well in extreme heat or extreme cold. Houston summers are what kills batteries, but it is a slow death and it usually takes its dying breath during the first cold snap of the season (you know December or January around here).
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