Delay cranking?

[sapote]

I think my 2006 M3 delays about 0.5 to 1sec from turning the key to starter cranking. Everything is running normal, but just the starter delay which I don't have for other non-M E46, i.e. 2000 323iT and 2003 325iT as they crank instantly.

Your M does the same delay?

[Cubieman]

Mine starts immediately, the only time I had any kind of delay is when I had clutch switch issues.

[heinzboehmer]

No delay on my car. Although when my starter was failing I did get a couple second delay sometimes (and other times it just wouldn't crank at all).

[sapote]

I have to double check maybe it cranked but not fired up instantly as other cars. It is sure that there is more delays from turning the key to engine roaring but I can’t tell if the delay is key to cranking, or cranking to roaring.

[EthanolTurbo]

No delay on my car. Although when my starter was failing I did get a couple second delay sometimes (and other times it just wouldn't crank at all).

This. It takes much longer on a failing starter. Replace it ASAP, it will just die without warning.

[old///MFanatic]

No. Your “delay” is not normal.
Before jumping to the starter, how old is your battery and what does it’s charge show?
How long have you owned this car? Has it always done this or just recently with cold weather?

[sapote]

I got it about 3 yrs ago and it has been like this all the time. I need to verify if the delay is from turned key to cranking, or from cranking to roaring. Will have my wife turn the key and I watching the fan, but this is hard to sync from her turning the key to fan moving. This is better way: connect voltmeter to cigarette lighter and watching when the voltage drops after turning the key. The voltage drop timing is the total delay from key to EWS to starter. Do you expect the engine roars up as soon as the starter turns the engine as for non-M cars? It seems to me high compression M3 might need to turn a little more before roaring.

Battery over 3 yrs but seems OK with over 12.6v. I have a brand new battery and will try to see any differences.

[Arith2]

If you're waiting for the beeps to stop after you turn the car on and it does this, there's probably high resistance somewhere. Maybe the EWS is taking a poop or the starter positive is a bit dirty. I agree that this is a multimeter diagnosis, whatever it is. Heck, the engine ground cable could need cleaned.

[umichchris]

ive had my car for 3yrs now and it does this all the time. the only one of my BMWs to do this. i put the key in, foot on brake turn the key...and i have to wait a few seconds before it will do anything. then it starts right up.

i feel like the time between turning the key and it finally cranking has gotten a little longer over time...but i only drive it like 1k miles per year so i might not be remembering correctly.

[sapote]

ive had my car for 3yrs now and it does this all the time. the only one of my BMWs to do this. i put the key in, foot on brake turn the key...and i have to wait a few seconds before it will do anything. then it starts right up.

i feel like the time between turning the key and it finally cranking has gotten a little longer over time...but i only drive it like 1k miles per year so i might not be remembering correctly.

Yours sounds like mine, but my delay is like 1sec or less. What is your total miles? Mine is less than 87K

[TexaZ3]

SMG or 6MT?

[sapote]

SMG or 6MT?

In my case, SMG.

Good point. Maybe the DME needs to verify that the SMG oil is pressurized properly before cranking.

[TexaZ3]

In my case, SMG.

Good point. Maybe the DME needs to verify that the SMG oil is pressurized properly before cranking.

Correct, on SMG cars DME verifies the gearbox is in neutral/pressurized.