E46 3 series 3.0L diesel.
Starts when hot or cold but when warm.
30-40 mins or so after running.
Sounds like a regular fault.
Hear it could be fuel pump or cam sensor ?
Any ideas or experience of this fault ?

Damiley, November 2008

Have problem with starting my 330d 2004 when hot or cold relay ok and pump ok but only get feed to the pump sometime and she start ok help

pete, October 2016

Having the same starting problem, struggles to start when cold but eventually starts and same when hot, try to start it once it starts cooling down and no luck

Maloy, October 2014

I have a 2003 BMW 330d and also had a warm start problem. I found a back leak in the fuel line on no.2 injector. Replaced the injector and problem solved!! My advice - first check the injectors for back leaks before you end up spending a lot of money on irrelevant things!

Bossie, December 2012

c le capteur de vilbrequin

gontier, May 2012

Just to update you all on my situation: I have a 2002 330D with the same issue where it starts ok when cold but doesnt when warm. The first thing I changed was the fuel pressure sensor (£180 from the stealers!) but it made no difference. I also changed the pre-fuel pump, camshaft sensor, glow plugs and relay all without success. My mpg is still pretty good at around 45mpg, does this rule out an injector issue? the only other thing I can think is at fault is the crankshaft (pulse generator) sensor. Did anyone have any luck with this?

Sboy, December 2011

i've got a 330 cd 2005 50k mileage, had same problem on warm starts, no worries when hot. When trying to start starter motor sounds really laboured and turns over really slowly. Bmw recon DDE needs replacing (OMG), am fingers crossed it something else, ABI how did you get on with yours as i have the same car? or anyone else with any ideas

Oly, October 2010

53 plate E46 330d touring - won't start when warm. Have recently had supply pump replaced [£400] - didn't work. Had High pressure pump replaced [£1100] - didn't work. Now about to have Injector Nr 4 replaced [£500] - who knows [not BMW apparently]. Auto transmission failed recently [£2500]. Looking forward to becoming a new Skoda owner soon!

Ian B, October 2010

Hi,i sent my e90 330d into Sytners today they could'nt find out why the car would'nt start when it was warm,but before it went in i found if i unplugged the fuel pressure sensor plug on the fuel rail the car would start but they have ignored what i told them and they are trying to say it is the fuel injector pump.
Has anyone else tryed changing the fuel rail pressure sensor?

Rob 330d, September 2010

Hi,i sent my e90 330d into Sytners today they could'nt find out why the car would'nt start when it was warm,but before it went in i found if i unplugged the fuel pressure sensor plug on the fuel rail the car would start but they have ignored what i told them and they are trying to say it is the fuel injector pump.
Has anyone else tryed changing the fuel rail pressure sensor?

Rob 330d, September 2010

got 330 cd 55 plate - intermittant starting problem - going on for a month now - booked it in to BMW Sytner in Solihull - they did check said fuel pump, 165 parts and labour plus 85 for original diagnostic - they will do a cold start tomorrow to check if it starts first time (which I guess means they not 100% sure it will fix issue!) - let you know - may just sell car if issue carries on as cant be bothered with cars that have problems that cant be solved 100% by the dealer - just lines their pockets!

Abi, September 2010

I too have the same won't start when hot problem. I've had the cam (no difference) and then the crank shaft sensors replaced it was a little better for a month or so but is now back to it's old tricks, I refuse to pay BMW to fix it. what's the next thing to try? Has any one got a definite solution to this common problem?

Tommy B, September 2010

I had the problem with the warm start for over a year now, same type of car, 2003. Lately it seems to get worse when starting with a warm engine, however, in addition now also the cold start is taking much longer than before (previously I didn't have any problems with the cold start).

I've read the posts, and do understand that it can be several things. I could not diagnose the problem with the additional trouble of starting when the motor is cold. Does anyone have any thoughts on this? Thanks.

NaZ, September 2010

I notice some of you saying your problem is intermittent, so my advice to you is, if you have this 'not starting' problem only on colder days then your problem is a CAM sensor. I learned the expensive way!

DD, June 2010

Well, had the cranshaft sensor fitted a couple of days ago and guess what....! Yep its still not always starting when warm. Have been on the phone complaining to the BMW dealer that did the diagnosis and stated that "its definately the crankshaft sensor" when clearly it wasnt ! going in again tomorrow to see what else it could be, must now be the camshaft sensor as i originally suggested to them or the injector problem that some have linked to this not starting when warm problem. Will keep you posted.

ROGUETROOPER, May 2010

Hi, for anyone interested,
I have a 2000 (E46) BMW 330D Touring that has suffered from this annoying "wont start when warm problem" for a year and a half. The problem has always been very irratic, sometimes going months between problems, and after allowing the car to stand, some times for ten minutes and sometimes for 2 hours, it would start and run fine. This problem never occured from cold starting.
After reading advice on several forums I decided to replace the Pre Supply Fuel Pump. This seemed to have solved the issue for about 6 months then it started to happen again. I had the vehicle checked at two independant garages and they could not find a problem (always started for them !) nor did diagnostic checks seem to highlight the issue. Finally whilst at the local BMW dealer considering buying a new Camshaft sensor as the next thing on the list, the car failed to start. At last it was connected to their diagnostics whilst the problem was occuring and this resulted in BMW identifying the Crank Shaft Sensor (sometimes called the pulse generator) as the guilty part. Price £86 or £131 fitted. Decided i would save money and fit myself but once home I could not even find the part let alone get to it, so have booked it in to be fitted by BMW for £45. Hopefully this will now be sorted.

ROGUETROOPER, May 2010

Hi, for anyone interested,
I have a 2000 (E46) BMW 330D Touring that has suffered from this annoying "wont start when warm problem" for a year and a half. The problem has always been very irratic, sometimes going months between problems, and after allowing the car to stand, some times for ten minutes and sometimes for 2 hours, it would start and run fine. This problem never occured from cold starting.
After reading advice on several forums I decided to replace the Pre Supply Fuel Pump. This seemed to have solved the issue for about 6 months then it started to happen again. I had the vehicle checked at two independant garages and they could not find a problem (always started for them !) nor did diagnostic checks seem to highlight the issue. Finally whilst at the local BMW dealer considering buying a new Camshaft sensor as the next thing on the list, the car failed to start. At last it was connected to their diagnostics whilst the problem was occuring and this resulted in BMW identifying the Crank Shaft Sensor (sometimes called the pulse generator) as the guilty part. Price £86 or £131 fitted. Decided i would save money and fit myself but once home I could not even find the part let alone get to it, so have booked it in to be fitted by BMW for £45. Hopefully this will now be sorted.

ROGUETROOPER, May 2010

hi got e46 330 diesel with probs had 1 new injector and changed cam sensor at 4.5 revs it misses and holds back like no fuel and continues to miss in next gear then after leaving for 10 mins wont start 4 ages then will start again any ideas ? thanks kev

kevin, March 2010

had the problem on 2002 bmw from cold started ok but when warm would not start if switched off would not start again it was a fuel injector on the comman rail system that was faulty and was letting fuel feed back to the tank and so loose pressure when cold had enough pressure to start and would run fine if not switched off.

john p, March 2010

ive had this problem...the way to test is spray the cam sensor with freezer spray when problem exists,then you will find engine starts fine...5 mins to change but costs £80 from bmw dealer! ouch!

shunty, October 2009

Boney - This is most definately a Cam Sensor fault to me. I have recently had exactly the same symtoms as you have discribed on my 330d 2001. Plenty of fuel at injector & when it does run, it runs absolutely fine with good fuel consumption too. Therefore, can't be an injector and cam sensors are quite a common proplem with this model by the looks of it!

Cainey1965, September 2009

Hi it sounds like an injector fault to me (used to work for BMW) you need to have an injector leak off test carried out to diagnose which of the six it is, alternatively it could be a relay, or pre supply pump, good luck.

scotty e30, August 2009

Hi, had the same problem for over a year now. Mentioned at its last full service and had the oil pressure sensor replaced, seemed ok for a few months and then only happened if car taken for a long run and then allowed to cool for a hour or two. Now becoming more persistant and fails to start after a run of 4 - 5 miles with a 30 min rest period. Going into specialist diagnostics on Friday, with instructions to test / check out the cam sensor and injector pump. Diesel supply seems OK up to and out of the pump to the passenger side of the engine.
Will keep updated of results. One would think BMW would bottom this one as the fault seems fairly common.

Boney, July 2009

I had this problem and at the BMW garage the changed the Cam Sensor and the Crank Shaft sensor. After tis the problem was gone. No idea what sensor caused the problem but I am convinced it was only one of the two.

Bobby, April 2009

Heard about the cam sensor would like to try this solution. Is it a DIY fix or a dealer job ? Any idea where it is on the engine ?

Damiley, December 2008

If it is intermittent where the engine turns over but does not fire the most likely cause will be the cam sensor. It should only be about £60 for the part or about £120 for bmw to test and replace.

Magor Jo, November 2008

Could be the coolant temp sensor giving out duff info to the ecu

N, November 2008