xjason

Yesterday when I had started my car up in the afternoon(engine already warm) I had a longer than normal crank, probably about 3-4 seconds long. I haven't been able to duplicate it since then. Anybody know what the problem could be?

RCM83

iTrader: (1)

This happened to me the other day too, mine was closer to 2-3 seconds though. In for replies.

ISF4life

iTrader: (30)

maybe is the battery

staman

iTrader: (1)

Check the battery voltage before and after you start it. There's always a chance your starter is beginning to go as well.. Then again it might just have been cold out...

vbb

iTrader: (3)

Long cranks can mean anything from a failing starter, to bad fuel, to failing to get spark from the plugs, to bad fuel injectors. If the car doesn't sound like it is dying, but it just won't turn over, you can probably eliminate the battery. I wouldn't worry about it unless it happens again.

faeflora

Crap just happens. Maybe moisture in the fuel or cylinders. Maybe the alignment of the planets threw off your harmonic phase inverter. Maybe you're running low on plug fluid.

lobuxracer

iTrader: (2)

If it's a 2008 MY car, odds are the battery is getting weak. Mine actually did this today, but not a long crank, it started very briefly then died. Ran for less than a second. It started on the second try without issue.

I still have the original battery, so I'd bet it's starting to show signs of being tired. Yours probably is as well.

Juanca

iTrader: (5)

It happened to me a few times on my 08 ISF. I took the car to the dealer and the diagnostic was a dead cell. They replaced the battery right away, I didn't pay a penny. The car was 1.5 years old.

UCrazyKid

Batteries in the 2008 are suspect. Probably will need to replace soon.
aa

anxiouz

iTrader: (9)

^^^ Agreed. Although my cluster puts my voltage in the middle and in the right spot, when I did a battery test the tech was alarmed that I was actually running really low. So although no failure yet I'm planning on getting a new battery ASAP. 2008 F here as well.

lobuxracer

iTrader: (2)

If you don't have a battery tester you can measure the voltage when the engine is cranking. It should never drop below 8v. If it does, there's no doubt you have a bad cell. Not bad enough to kill the whole thing, but weak enough to limit the available starting current. Typical starting current is around 300 amps, and even a good battery won't tolerate this for too long. The culprit is usually sulfation. It can be reversed but the equipment to do it isn't cheap. It usually makes a lot more sense to just buy a new battery.

Juanca

iTrader: (5)

The battery is covered in full by the warranty, why not drive by your closest dealer and have it tested? They'll replace it for free if it's defective. I miss my voltage meter!

PhiDeltBee

iTrader: (1)

It's not a BMW 335i by chance?

I remember every crank was a long crank.