X5 Did not Start - Preheating on OBC

[demondali]

Yesterday morning when trying to start my X5 it just wouldnt start. I had a previously unseen message on the OBC appear "PreHeating" I tried to start it a couple of times and it just would not fire up.
I assumed that that the battery may have gone flat but having just done an hour drive the night before i was shocked.
Its a 2005 E53 3.0d X5 had it from new and never seen this message or had any problems starting it up before.
The temperature was about 1 degree celcius however i have driven it in the snow and started it up on colder mornings before.

Anyone know what might have caused this?
Anyone had similar issues before?

Its funny how this morning it started up without any problems and its back up and running as normal!

Should i be concerned? or is this normal... i know some of you experience much more colder climates that us Brits!

[blueagle]

I am not sure but could be some faulty heater plugs in your preheating system.

[X5devon]

the preheating light should come on at temps below 5-6 cels it simply heats the glowplugs before you can start the car. once the warning goes out the car should start up.

[demondali]

Well i took my X5 to the stealer, after having it for 3 days they decided they are unable to find a fault!! (they should have been there when i was trying to start it) and running late for work.

The couple of days that i was having problems starting the X5 the temperature over here in england was 2degree celcius. Now the weather has picked up its starting perfectly well. I dont expect it to get cold again until October/November and the warranty runs out in September (typical)!!!

Apart from taking the stealer to the alps along with my X5 what should i do. Concerns that when this happens again i will be outside of the warranty period.

[Satheesh.net]

I don't think this is a problem actually. If the weather is cold (or have been over night), the car says PREHEATING for a couple of seconds. When it's gone you can start your car. Like you said, when the temperature is gaining nowadays, it will most likely start without any warning...

[demondali]

Preheating message how long do you or should you have to wait before you start the car? I waiting minutes and tried several times without any joy!

Also the reason i was concerned was that i have had the car for about 3 years now and its seen colder morning before.. ie below zero and i have never had any problems starting it! Why would it start doing this when the temp was only 2degree celcius.

I could be completely over reacting.. anyone else had a preheating message appear when its cold and had problems starting theirs?

[01 BMW_X5]

What does your FM say?

[demondali]

FM ? What is that?

[Satheesh.net]

I do not have any pre-heating "warning" in the display. It's summer here now and probably the warm weather keeps it from getting cold...

[peacemf]

well on my 2002 x5, it does say preheating if its freezing outside, just wait a few seconds for the mesage to go away, and it should start up