Cold start procedure

[PioneerSSM]

Hi all
I hope you can help me with my apparent cold starting procedure problem.

Is there a correct way to pre heat prior to cold starting.

Having searched the OM without any success, I've searched the net with mixed results, but alas no definitive answers to my query.

Please see the attached video link showing my experience of this perplexing event.

Once again your comments or suggestions would be welcome.

Thanks

Steve

https://onedrive.live.com/?cid=be374da8 ... jaxGSXSdAI

[chris.t]

I just switch the ignition on then wait for dash lights to go out then start up dont know if this is required just habit now.

[PioneerSSM]

I'll try that tomorrow morning see if it does the trick.
Thanks

[mark hamster 28]

common problem on here i think, normally you will have a glowplug or glowplugs that are not working and cold weather bearing down on us= not good but wait for X5 and others to comment also, they are generally on the money 

[X5Sport]

As per reply #1.  That allows all the computers to boot and away you go.  Helps avoid silly and erroneous error messages that scare you.... )

[PioneerSSM]

Thanks for the replies everyone.

The X5 have been described as power hungry, therefore I'd hoped that fitting a new battery would have eradicated the problem, alas it may well be a number of things, including my starting procedure.

In fairness the OM is very ambiguous in its description of a definitive procedure for any type of start up.

I'd read that BMW are so intuitive, that they are programmed for the diesel pre heat system to initiate upon the opening of the doors, dont know how true this is.

If it was a glow plug defect or preheat fault, would this not be flagged on a diagnostic check by a MD? Which was done last month.

Whats a particular worry is that I'm experiencing this behaviour with temperatures which are not even below freezing.

My experience of glow plugs are that they will last well into a cars lifetime before a replacement being required. However my x5 has spent its first years in Aberdeen. I wonder if this has accelerated the use of the glow plugs and as such shortened their life.
 

[X5Sport]

Mine always shows preheat when I press the start button.  Some of the fuel pumps activate when the doors open, but I don't think the pre heaters do from my own experiences.