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Start err problem

I have a 57 plate BMW 118i with auto stop start engine. Throughout last summer the auto stop start engine re-activated itself after a couple of minutes. The car was returned to the garage and BMW became involved with the vehicle, replacement a part. The problem persisted and BMW again became involved in late September 2008. On this occasion the engine worked correctly (i.e., it did not cut itself back in), the only difference being the weather had turned cold. The engine remained as I would have expected it to from September until March 2009 (air conditioning turned on, radio on, lights/window wipers on when necessary - engine not cutting in on its own accord). In March 2009 the problem recurred and the engine started to automatically cut in. After lots of patience, trial and error, I found that when the outside temperature rose above 9.5ºC and the air conditioning was turned on at 20º (the air con had been between 20-22º all winter also), the engine cuts itself back in after 45-90 seconds - this does not get me through most traffic lights. I have this recorded on video and timed by a stopwatch. I have driven with the service manager this week (BMW are again to see the vehicle in May). I have now been told “in order for the engine to remain shut down, I need to turn off the air conditioning”, even though it worked correctly during the winter months. This surely has to be a joke. What is the point of air conditioning if I cannot use it if I want the engine to work. Any ideas, please? This is driving me insane.

Asked on 23 May 2009 by

Answered by Honest John
Well yes, of course if you have the a/c climate control on, the engine needs to run because the a/c pump is powered by the engine.
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