5 seconds to start, Engine Malfunction Reduced Power light on

PJPHughes · 03-31-2009, 10:40 AM

Hi everyone,

I'm guessing this is a precursor to needing a new fuel pump?

After an amazing day of driving my car ('08 335i conv, 6 speed auto) on Rte 23 between Westlake Village, CA and the PCH (one of LA's hidden secret roads...and probably one of most fun roads in the country!), I got in the car yesterday and it took over 5 seconds to start. The car then ran like crap, idling all over the place, almost stalling, and then the "Engine Malfunction, Reduced Power" message came up. I shut the car off, waiting 15 seconds, restarted the car (another 5 sec start), it ran like crap, but after 10 seconds ran normally. I had full power too and it felt fine.

I'm guessing I should take it to the dealer to address this ASAP before I get stranded somewhere?

BTW, I'm the one whose car's transmission seal blew out at 613 miles, stranding me near my house.

My car is at 3800 miles now. I'm starting to get worried about reliability...thankfully it drives so perfectly, that I can hopefully put those worries in the back of my mind!

Cheers,
Paul H.

canucklion · 03-31-2009, 10:42 AM

I'm guessing you're correct.

Quote:

Originally Posted by PJPHughes

I'm guessing I should take it to the dealer to address this ASAP before I get stranded somewhere?

shaddai · 03-31-2009, 10:53 AM

Yeah. My car goes in tomorrow for the orange SERVICE ENGINE SOON light due to long ass cranking times. Of course, last night the frickin error goes away. My car is driving me insane (and winning).

shaddai · 03-31-2009, 10:57 AM

I forgot to ask - does this "Engine Malfunction Reduced Power" light thing come up on the BC display between the tach and speedo or is that an iDrive message? (I lack iDrive, hence the noob question).

2FST2C · 03-31-2009, 10:59 AM

its one of three things...

fuel pump
injector
spark plugs

either way ur under warranty so dont sweat it

bsamoul · 03-31-2009, 02:19 PM

most likely the fuel pump since you said it took so long to start up

ElliottP · 03-31-2009, 03:05 PM

Did you check that the fuel cap is real tight? One time I had a refuel in Jersey and they didn't put it on all the way and that generated an error. My E92 takes a few seconds to start sometimes too.

Richbot · 03-31-2009, 03:09 PM

Sounds like same symptoms as when the fuel pump went on mine.

03-31-2009, 10:40 AM	#1
PJPHughes Private First Class 34 Rep 173 Posts Drives: '10 335d Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Los Angeles, CA iTrader: (1)	5 seconds to start, Engine Malfunction Reduced Power light on Hi everyone, I'm guessing this is a precursor to needing a new fuel pump? After an amazing day of driving my car ('08 335i conv, 6 speed auto) on Rte 23 between Westlake Village, CA and the PCH (one of LA's hidden secret roads...and probably one of most fun roads in the country!), I got in the car yesterday and it took over 5 seconds to start. The car then ran like crap, idling all over the place, almost stalling, and then the "Engine Malfunction, Reduced Power" message came up. I shut the car off, waiting 15 seconds, restarted the car (another 5 sec start), it ran like crap, but after 10 seconds ran normally. I had full power too and it felt fine. I'm guessing I should take it to the dealer to address this ASAP before I get stranded somewhere? BTW, I'm the one whose car's transmission seal blew out at 613 miles, stranding me near my house. My car is at 3800 miles now. I'm starting to get worried about reliability...thankfully it drives so perfectly, that I can hopefully put those worries in the back of my mind! Cheers, Paul H.
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03-31-2009, 10:53 AM	#3
shaddai former N54 owner 11 Rep 607 Posts Drives: 2008 Audi S4 DTM Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Bay Area, CA iTrader: (0) Garage List 2008 335i [0.00]	Yeah. My car goes in tomorrow for the orange SERVICE ENGINE SOON light due to long ass cranking times. Of course, last night the frickin error goes away. My car is driving me insane (and winning). __________________ +lemon
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03-31-2009, 10:57 AM	#4
shaddai former N54 owner 11 Rep 607 Posts Drives: 2008 Audi S4 DTM Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Bay Area, CA iTrader: (0) Garage List 2008 335i [0.00]	I forgot to ask - does this "Engine Malfunction Reduced Power" light thing come up on the BC display between the tach and speedo or is that an iDrive message? (I lack iDrive, hence the noob question). __________________ +lemon
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03-31-2009, 10:59 AM	#5
2FST2C Captain 55 Rep 762 Posts Drives: 2008 AW E92 Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Central FL iTrader: (2)	its one of three things... fuel pump injector spark plugs either way ur under warranty so dont sweat it
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03-31-2009, 02:19 PM	#6
bsamoul Major General 167 Rep 7,433 Posts Drives: E90 325i Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Walnut Creek, California iTrader: (2)	most likely the fuel pump since you said it took so long to start up
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03-31-2009, 03:05 PM	#7
ElliottP Private First Class 26 Rep 196 Posts Drives: 2008 E92 335i Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Baltimore, MD iTrader: (0)	Did you check that the fuel cap is real tight? One time I had a refuel in Jersey and they didn't put it on all the way and that generated an error. My E92 takes a few seconds to start sometimes too. __________________ My introduction: http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=246615 Stats: 2008 E92 335i \| Manual \| Style 230 19" wheels \| Black Sapphire Metallic \| Black Leather \| Gray Poplar \| I-Drive \| Cold Weather \| Premium \| iPod USB Mods: Dinan Stage II ECU \| 30% Tint \| Breyton 18" Race GTS winter setup \| Black Grilles \| Keyhole-less Driver's Door
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03-31-2009, 03:09 PM	#8
Richbot Major General 2761 Rep 5,482 Posts Drives: Jerez Black E90 Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: STL iTrader: (5)	Sounds like same symptoms as when the fuel pump went on mine. __________________
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