2008 M3 starting issue

jhall1957 · 10-11-2022, 07:52 PM

So far from new to BMW's but today picked up a manual, 2008 slick top. Bought it from a friend who kept it very nice.
He describe a small issue that sometime when you put the key into the hole, if you've already pressed the clutch it won't start and his answer is to put the key in and take a couple breaths before pushing clutch in.

I tried and it mostly works. But not always.

Is there a clutch pedal sensor that might be going or gone bad or maybe something else?

patroklai · 10-12-2022, 07:26 AM

My 2008 behaves similarly but not exactly how you describe.

When I insert the key, I have to wait before attempting to start the car. Granted, it's not very long. But in a world of instant gratification, 1-second feel like an eternity to some.

It doesn't matter whether I depressed the clutch pedal or not.

Next time you go to start it, try this.

Pop key in, depress clutch pedal. Take one breath, hold, breathe out, then start.

That should do it. I don't think the clutch pedal has anything to do with it but I may be wrong.

I usually just wait for dash lights to come on before pressing the start button. Otherwise, nothing happens.

10-11-2022, 07:52 PM	#1
jhall1957 Captain 1095 Rep 821 Posts Drives: SE 46 Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: WS,NC iTrader: (2)	2008 M3 starting issue So far from new to BMW's but today picked up a manual, 2008 slick top. Bought it from a friend who kept it very nice. He describe a small issue that sometime when you put the key into the hole, if you've already pressed the clutch it won't start and his answer is to put the key in and take a couple breaths before pushing clutch in. I tried and it mostly works. But not always. Is there a clutch pedal sensor that might be going or gone bad or maybe something else? __________________ Garage; 2020 Raptor, 2011 1M, 2017 M2 PE, 2006 Z4 MC, 2007 Z4 MC, 2001 Spec E46, 2007 GT3
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10-12-2022, 07:26 AM	#2
patroklai Major 221 Rep 1,254 Posts Drives: Camaro SS \| e92 M3 Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: STL iTrader: (10)	My 2008 behaves similarly but not exactly how you describe. When I insert the key, I have to wait before attempting to start the car. Granted, it's not very long. But in a world of instant gratification, 1-second feel like an eternity to some. It doesn't matter whether I depressed the clutch pedal or not. Next time you go to start it, try this. Pop key in, depress clutch pedal. Take one breath, hold, breathe out, then start. That should do it. I don't think the clutch pedal has anything to do with it but I may be wrong. I usually just wait for dash lights to come on before pressing the start button. Otherwise, nothing happens.
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