WTF is going on?

[bavdrftr318]

I have an e36 and my car has started to become more difficult to start. I'll hold the key to on and it will take 10 seconds sometimes for the car to start. Sometimes it won't start and I'll have to try again and start car and hold the key again for an extended period of time . Sometimes it fires right up... What would this be? It not the car battery bc everything works fine it's just a delayed ignition...

[Junaid]

is it cranking?

[bavdrftr318]

Yes eventually

Could this be a bad starter solenoid ?

[Critter7r]

So you turn the key and it does what for those 10 seconds? Is it cranking during those 10 seconds? Or does nothing happen until after 10 seconds, at which time it starts cranking?

10 seconds cranking - check fuel filter first, then fuel pump.

10 seconds nothing, then crank - probably EWS or key battery problem if it's newer than '95. Or ignition switch.

[bavdrftr318]

Ya it does nothing and then cranks... You don't thing it could be the starter going?

[pizzaman09]

If the starter was going I would not expect it to crank at all. It wouldn't just start cranking after 10 seconds would it?

Are you sure your battery voltage is high enough? I don't know about the e36s but my e38 goes all wonky when the voltage is too low.

[Tangent]

Does wiggling the key while holding it in the "start" position make a difference in how long it takes before it starts cranking? If so I'd suspect the ignition switch.

[bavdrftr318]

Actually the battery voltage has been bad because my alternator is going. Maybe that's why it's acting up... Although after the ten seconds it fires up like normal without sounding like it's struggling....