I own a 328i Auto, which has been a reliable car for the past 7 years, since 2001. I have bought it at about 60 000 kms and have now done about 180 000 kms. so it has given us great motoring!
Recently, it has become less and less reliable to start after parking in the sun or a long run on a hot day. Temperatures here in South Africa get up to 36 degrees C at times in summer. The cure for this is to open all windows and turn on the blower for about 5 minutes and then to try to start again. Most times it works and starts instantly, however it is temperamental especially after shopping at the mall on a hot day.
Using the generic E36 Haynes manual, I think it could be the starter interlock relay, however the relays under the hood and inside the car (left and right), just don't correspond to the diagrams.
1. Where is the starter relay ? I will start by replacing it.
2. Failing that, I might replace the ignition switch, on the assumption that it could be worn after this mileage.
Has anyone experienced this particular fault on the 328i Auto or Auto E 36 models before ? Can you throw some light on the problem ?