Problems after Two Weeks of Non Use

[greggk]

Been on vacation for a week but have not driven my 2012 e89 for about two weeks.

When I get home Monday I just start the car in the garage and let idle for a few minutes then turn off.

This morning Im going to take the car to work, start it, idles for a few minutes then a hear a not normal sputtering sound out of the two tail pipes.

Then I notice the yellow engine warning light is on above the red seat belt indicator on the instrument panel.

Check my manual...says engine malfunction with an exhaust problem reference. BTW...references Canada only...I'm in US so not sure where the US indicator explanation is.

Figure I'll stop by the dealer on way to work to have checked out....when I put the car in drive, it has serious problems going forward, engine sputters/wants to stall every few seconds but dosnt, gears change but there is some type of serious power/electrical thing going on where the car is having problems going frward. Same thing in reverse. Gas tank is low (60 miles left) but certainly enough to operate.

After 5 minues of this going up and down my block, I pull the car back in the driveway, turn the engine off, then restart it, and then presto...the yellow light goes away and the car runs perfectly so I drove 25 miles to work.

Havnt called the dealer yet. Any experiences like this for others or thoughts on what was possibly going on? I still will likely bring by the dealer over the next few days to have them check out.

Thanks

[jparnes1]

Car is pissed off at you for ignoring it for 2 weeks. That'll teach you.

[nicknaz]

My guess is that battery ran down.

When I first took delivery of my car it had a yellow engine warning light and I believe the idle started off a bit rough. Sales person told me it was because the car was sitting for a long time and it would resolve itself (it did)

[jparnes1]

Nick's probably right. These cars draw power all the time and hooking it up to a trickle charger if it's going to be idle for a week or more is a good idea. If you don't have one, get a "smart" trickle charger that won't overcharge the battery. BMW sells one, but it's likely made by Deltran and that can be had for less.

[jpwolfe31]

Make sure you always lock the car as they draw less power when locked.

[CedarZ4]

Originally Posted by jpwolfe31

Make sure you always lock the car as they draw less power when locked.

This I did not know - Should probably start locking my car as I leave it unlocked almost 100% of the times while parked in the garage at home. Being that I've been driving the Z a lot less recently (needed more seats ) it may be a good idea...

[jpwolfe31]

That is exactly what happened to me. No issues since I started locking the car in the garage.

[mbetoni]

This has me concerned regarding the upcoming winter. I typically store my car, covered, in our garage from roughly December through April (depending on weather), periodically running it to confirm things are working properly.

Although it's great I have a space in a heated garage, what I don't have is access to an outlet to hookup a trickle charger/battery tender. I'd prefer not to remove the battery from the car completely for those months, there are times when the roads are clear of salt/ice/snow/generally rot-inducing elements that I will use it if I can. What's a city dweller to do...

[jparnes1]

Originally Posted by mbetoni

This has me concerned regarding the upcoming winter. I typically store my car, covered, in our garage from roughly December through April (depending on weather), periodically running it to confirm things are working properly.

Although it's great I have a space in a heated garage, what I don't have is access to an outlet to hookup a trickle charger/battery tender. I'd prefer not to remove the battery from the car completely for those months, there are times when the roads are clear of salt/ice/snow/generally rot-inducing elements that I will use it if I can. What's a city dweller to do...

Another reason why the i3 isn't for eveyone.
Don't remove the battery. You'll have all kinds of things that will need resetting when spring comes. Find a storage facility. Many people with cars or boats use this as a way to keep things in a climate controlled environment. These places always have outlets.

[mbetoni]

Originally Posted by jparnes1

Another reason why the i3 isn't for eveyone.
Don't remove the battery. You'll have all kinds of things that will need resetting when spring comes. Find a storage facility. Many people with cars or boats use this as a way to keep things in a climate controlled environment. These places always have outlets.

Yeah, 2nd most reason not to remove the battery (maybe tied for 1st), all the gizmos that rely on it.

My garage space is deeded, and I pay property tax on it (and it wasn't cheap). No frickin' way I'm paying to store my car at an additional facility. But, I do appreciate the suggestion, as it isn't a bad one per se.

[nicknaz]

Originally Posted by mbetoni

. What's a city dweller to do...

Put some fuel stabilizer, drive it when its dry (warm it up fully), and lock the doors. Should be fine.

[mbetoni]

Originally Posted by nicknaz

Put some fuel stabilizer, drive it when its dry (warm it up fully), and lock the doors. Should be fine.

Actually, that's pretty much my plan