Back to 2010 BMW M3 E90
Help
2010 BMW M3 E90
4.0L V8 S65•RWD•DCT•gas•S65B40
Founding sponsor spot is openYour name on every procedure for this vehicle, permanently.Sponsor — $99 →
Repairs0Labor493Torque3437Fluid8DTC1459Battery1Maintenance0Recalls0
P3601critical severityPowertrain

Auto Start-Stop Restart Failure

on 2010 BMW M3 E90 4.0L V8 S65 · RWD

What this code means

The engine failed to restart after an auto start-stop event. The starter engaged but the engine did not reach running speed or stalled immediately.

Symptoms

  • Engine did not restart at green light
  • Starter cranking prolonged after stop
  • Dashboard warning lights illuminated
  • Vehicle rolled in traffic
  • Hazard situation created

Common causes

  • Starter motor degradation
  • Fuel pressure drop during stop
  • Engine position sensor error
  • Low battery voltage during crank
  • Intake manifold vacuum leak

Diagnostic steps

  1. Check starter motor engagement force
  2. Monitor fuel pressure during and after stop
  3. Test battery voltage during restart crank
  4. Check engine position sensor signal
  5. Inspect intake manifold for vacuum leaks

Repair notes

Replace starter motor if engagement count is high. Check fuel system for pressure retention. Critical safety issue - disable start-stop until resolved.

🔌 Don't have a code reader?
Any of these will read and clear this code — pick by how deep you want to go.
As an Amazon Associate, OLP earns from qualifying purchases — how we link. This never changes the specs we publish.

Other Powertrain codes on this vehicle

🔌 Need this data in your app? It's all in the free API →
🔧 Database maintained under the daily editorial review of Chris Hackleman · Master Technician · 20+ years and Jeff Moore · Master Mechanic · 20+ years. Spot an error? Use the Help link above — a human reads every report.
Stuck on this repair? Take it to The Diag Desk — ask a master tech about this exact car → real human answer within 24h, never AI
Share:XRedditFBWhatsAppThreadsEmail
⚠ STILL BEHIND THE PAYWALL
The 2010 BMW M3 E90 repair data is incomplete because no one has sponsored it yet. For $99, we generate the full step-by-step procedures, then fact-check them with a second AI pass and your expert review. Your name on every procedure, permanently.
The same data would cost $169/mo from Mitchell1 or $30/year from ALLDATAdiy — and you'd be renting access, not freeing it. Sponsor once, free forever.
Sponsor the BMW M3 E90 — $99 →
Building an app?
Free API access to all this data — 10 requests/day, no card required.
Get an API key →
Run a shop?
Manage repairs, estimates, and customers with ShopBase — $249/mo, all features included.
Try ShopBase →