Starting Difficulties

[riccardo]

Hi All, Have recently aqquired a 1999 Sharan TDi...it used to start on the button every time. Now after a fuel filter change, it has to be cranked a bit, when hot , particularly if its only stopped for a few minutes, eg at its MOT yesterday!! Anyone had this before, im a bit suspicious of the Fram filter....forgot to say, also that the thermostat was also replaced. (with a faulty one) Engine running at 66degrees...measured with an infrared thermometer.

Hi All,

I have had this problem with my 1.9TDI 110. Fine at cold starting but took a lot of cranking when hot. I took it to a Bosch Fuel Injection specialist and they checked all the usual problems areas including pump, fuel lines, injectors and filter etc. Still it was difficult to start. In desperation they contacted Bosch in Germany and they confirmed that the problem was the starter motor. Apparently when the motor is hot it affects the field coils. Then when the key is turned the current drain through the motor is so high that the fuel injection system cannot work properly. This is why you have to crank it so long until it fires. The Bosch service guys and I did not really believe this explanation.... but a new starter motor was fitted and the engine fires immediately now and the battery is the original from 1999.

It is expensive but good luck