BMW 5 Series Ignition Switch Nightmare, Solutions Inside

Hi there! Had a really similar issue with my 2007 BMW 3 Series about six months ago. Got some basic experience working on cars, but nothing too fancy. My car had almost identical symptoms, rough running, unusual stalls, and starting problems. Turned out it was just a blown fuse in the ignition circuit. My regular mechanic checked it during inspection and replaced the faulty fuse. Total bill was around 52 Euro and it's been running perfectly since. Much cheaper than replacing the whole ignition switch! Just to be sure though, what's the mileage on your 5 Series? Also, does it make any clicking sounds when you turn the key? These details would help figure out if you're dealing with the same issue I had. Hope this helps point you in the right direction!

Thanks for sharing your experience! My 5 series has clocked 151853 KM and just had a service last month. I definitely hear that clicking sound you mentioned when turning the key. Good to know it might just be a fuse, that would be way better than replacing the whole ignition switch! I'll get my mechanic to check the fuse box first. Really appreciate the tip, might save me some serious cash.

Hey again! Thanks for confirming those details. Yep, that clicking sound with the mileage you mentioned sounds exactly like what I dealt with. Actually, after my mechanic fixed that fuse issue, he mentioned it's pretty common in these BMWs once they hit around 150,000 km. Just want to add something I forgot to mention in my first reply, before getting the fuse replaced, I noticed the clicking was getting more frequent, especially on cold mornings. If you're experiencing that too, it's another sign pointing to the fuse rather than a complete ignition switch failure. Quick tip though, when my mechanic checked it out, he also cleaned the fuse box contacts while he was in there. Said it helps prevent the same issue from happening again. Might be worth asking your mechanic to do the same when they check it out. Mine hasn't given me any trouble since, and it's been through all seasons now. Let us know how it goes after your mechanic takes a look. Always good to hear if these tips actually help someone else with the same problem!

Thanks so much for the detailed follow-up! You've definitely made me feel better about this whole situation. That's super interesting about the cold morning clicks, I've totally noticed that too! I've already called my mechanic and booked it in for tomorrow morning. Really happy I asked here before spending a fortune on an ignition switch replacement. I'll make sure to ask about cleaning those contacts too, sounds like a smart preventive measure. I'll update the thread once I get it sorted out. Really appreciate everyone's help on this!