Really Cold Weather Issues

[minnmarker]

It was 20 below (F) here yesterday morning. That's not wind chill, that's actual temperature. Here's what happened with the X:

1. Starts normally in the garage.
2. Drive 15 miles normally.
3. Stop at store for 5 minutes.
4. Try to start. Cranks fine but no start. Error messages about Xdrive and engine.
5. Call BMW dealer and get in long que to talk to someone.
6. 5 minutes later try to start again. Same result. This time find out that engine will crank for about 10 seconds if you keep your foot on the brake. After that it stops on its own.
7. Repeat 10 minutes later. Same result.
8. Repeat 10 minutes later and this time it starts normally.
9. Hang up on phone que - request call back.
10. Drive to office.
11. Driver door will not open. Passenger door will open. Open window and then open driver door from outside.
12. Get call back from very busy dealer. Car starts so we agree to deal with it later.
13. Repeat driver door problem one more time later in the day. This is dangerous.
14. Get home and read OBD codes 100 (mass air flow sensor) and 1182 (O2 sensor). Cleared codes.

Today it was only 10 below and car is working normally. Codes have not come back.

Anyone in Canada, Alaska, North Dakota, or Montana have anything similar happen?

[RllyDrvrIX]

-20.... I'd stay home and work from the "home office " on VPN.

Writing from the Buffalo-area so I have some understanding of your "cold".

[Sylvan Lake V35]

It's a lot colder than that here and no similar issues....I have a 35d and X5M and nothing like that. I worry about the diesel starting if I leave it outside over night but as you yet no cold related issues, I talk to a few Canadian X drivers and the battery drain code is the biggest cold weather issue I hear of.

[SouthShoreM3]

I have had some strange things go on with my X5 M in the cold lately. Check engine light pops up but nothing in the main computer and says all systems are ok.

Also was having high battery drain after 2 batteries. Could be something else but the battery drain was coming on in the cold days. Coming from Boston and do alot of driving to VT, NH for skiing on weekends so well aware of the cold.

I feel bad for the fold in MN, MI where it freezing as all hell.

[deepred_natz]

Originally Posted by Sylvan Lake V35

It's a lot colder than that here and no similar issues....I have a 35d and X5M and nothing like that. I worry about the diesel starting if I leave it outside over night but as you yet no cold related issues, I talk to a few Canadian X drivers and the battery drain code is the biggest cold weather issue I hear of.

Same here! But i got engine malfunction message once but it didnt go to limp mode. #6 cylinder misfired and emission code. And my x5m is parked outside at -35C temperature but i have battery tender though thats the only reason why the vehicle still starts. otherwise, this vehicle will goin back to the dealership lol

[Diesel X5]

I leave mine outside in the cold for weeks at a time with out driving it and found that my comfort pkg will not work.Then my heater fans wouldn't work.Then after i drove it for about one hour and the battery started to charge up and everything works fine now.

[minnmarker]

Update: X seems to be working fine now. No battery issues and no more codes. Maybe -20 F is it's limit?

As long as we're griping, how many have had cold fob syndrome? Even after regularly putting the fob in the slot to charge it wWhen I put the fob in an outside pocket of my ski jacket, even at +15 F it loses enough voltage so that it will not communicate with the X. I had to open the X with the key a few times and it defaults to factory settings until the fob warms up and you turn off, lock, and unlock the X with the fob. It then remembers your settings. Now keeping the fob in an interior pocket.

The Acura I had before had a non-rechargable button battery in the fob and was fine in the cold. I have a friend with an Audi that has the same problem. Probably the same battery as in BMW's.

[bradysdad]

I have a 2 month old, 1700 mile, 2013 X5 3.5 Premium. Ran fine, parked it at the airport on Jan 1, came home on Jan 6, started the car, ran for 2 seconds, and then no crank, no start, but full battery. Temp was -12F

8 days later my dealer and Roadside Assistance finally figured out how to put it into neutral manually. Apparently on 2011 and later models, there is no more orange lever, transmission override under the front cup holder. They towed it back to the dealership.

Dealer calls me and says "It is the battery, but this particular battery is on a national backorder for a week to 10 days". All the while I am thinking to myself, it is not the battery. The next day dealer calls me, says the battery arrived and the car will be ready by the afternoon. An hour later, calls me back and says it wasn't the battery, stay tuned.

Calls me 2 days later and says "BMW has authorized me to replace the entire engine. Enjoy the loaner, it will be a while". REALLY!!! A 2 month old car with a blown engine? Doesn't seem right.

So here I wait as the saga continues. Anyone have any similar experiences? Very frustrating, from dealing with incompetent Roadside Assistance and multiple "certified" tow companies to having my engine replaced.

Thanks.

[retusn]

Lemon Law. I would do it in a heartbeat. No way would I want a 2 month old car which the dealer has changed the engine in.

[bradysdad]

Originally Posted by retusn

Lemon Law. I would do it in a heartbeat. No way would I want a 2 month old car which the dealer has changed the engine in.

Just not certain it qualifies for lemon law by WI rules. I wonder if BMW will step up or play their usual games.

Anyone have any experience with BMW?

[retusn]

http://www.dot.wisconsin.gov/safety/...s/lemonlaw.htm
I went through two lemon law cases in Indiana. The first was for a 2008 Z06 which ground the transmission in 1-4 and sometimes 5th gear. I went through arbitration with the BBB and GM. They ended up buying the vehicle back with only about 2000 less for mileage.
On the next case I had to sue GM because I bought the vehicle out of state and used the Magnuson Moss act for their failure to repair the vehicle. That was the last GM vehicle I purchased, went with BMW since.
I'd read up on the website and start getting stuff together. I did not see if the website stated 30 business days or just 30 days.

[serge1]

Originally Posted by bradysdad

Calls me 2 days later and says "BMW has authorized me to replace the entire engine. Enjoy the loaner, it will be a while".

WOW. I sense the story is going to be epic. Please, start a separate thread.
P.S. Any written stated reason for replacing the engine?

[PatrikG]

Originally Posted by Sylvan Lake V35

It's a lot colder than that here and no similar issues....I have a 35d and X5M and nothing like that. I worry about the diesel starting if I leave it outside over night but as you yet no cold related issues, I talk to a few Canadian X drivers and the battery drain code is the biggest cold weather issue I hear of.

My diesel 3-series started perfectly in -31 yesterday. I don't leave it outside often though so I don't have any more experience than that.

[minnmarker]

Originally Posted by minnmarker

As long as we're griping, how many have had cold fob syndrome? Even after regularly putting the fob in the slot to charge it wWhen I put the fob in an outside pocket of my ski jacket, even at +15 F it loses enough voltage so that it will not communicate with the X. I had to open the X with the key a few times and it defaults to factory settings until the fob warms up and you turn off, lock, and unlock the X with the fob. It then remembers your settings. Now keeping the fob in an interior pocket.

The Acura I had before had a non-rechargable button battery in the fob and was fine in the cold. I have a friend with an Audi that has the same problem. Probably the same battery as in BMW's.

Despite what the dealer said about my X having a rechargable battery in the fob, it does not. Looked in the owners manual BMWs with comfort access (keyless door opening, etc.) do have button batteries in the key fob. $2 later and it seems OK - down to zero F so far.

[bradysdad]

Originally Posted by serge1

WOW. I sense the story is going to be epic. Please, start a separate thread.
P.S. Any written stated reason for replacing the engine?

Not yet. The technician had to perform a complete assessment prior to BMW authorizing the replacement. I was told I would receive the information when the car was returned.

Stay tuned...

[serge1]

Originally Posted by bradysdad

...prior to BMW authorizing the replacement. I was told I would receive the information when the car was returned.

Stay tuned...

Make another topic, please, I think your issue is separate from this topic. )