Starting Problem

[Seatdriver]

Hi,

 

My 2003 sharan TDi (115bhp) used to start first flick of the key but is gradually taking longer to start. This can be when its cold or warm. Has recently been to VW dealer for a check up (put on test deck for error codes) but no codes reported. The engine may turn over for 1-2 seconds (max) and then start. Once running it performs fine (maybe a little more sluggish than a year ago but can't be absolutely certain on this).

 

Just want to know if there is something the Main agent should have checked for as I did mention it to them at the time they checked for other problems.

 

It used to start almost instantaniously.

 

Any advice appreciated

 

Oh it is on it's original MaF at 94000 miles

[seatkid]

1 - 2 secs is nothing too bad, could be down to a weak battery and/or one or two duff glowplugs, both of which diagnostics will not pick up.

 

You can check glowplugs with an multimeter. They should register between 0.1 and 0.5 ohms (each). Duff glowplugs are usually open circuit.

 

If you're on the original battery then 4 -5 years seems to be about the limit for these - yours might be starting to fail.

 

A lot of reports here recently of loose bottom crankshaft pulleys. These throw out the timing and cause starting and poor running depending on how much it moved.

[Seatdriver]

Thanks for the reply,

 

Car is about to go in for new cam belt, will definately ask them to check when work is being carried out.

 

Just one queation on the battery.

 

If there is bags of power to spin the engine, is it not true to say that there is enough power to run the electrics as well

 

Thanks

[buford_t_justice]

..... could be down to a weak battery and/or one or two duff glowplugs, both of which diagnostics will not pick up.

 

Not true. VAG-COM can indicate battery voltage before and after the engine has been started. Also possible to identify if each glow plug is working.

[seatkid]

..... could be down to a weak battery and/or one or two duff glowplugs, both of which diagnostics will not pick up.

 

Not true. VAG-COM can indicate battery voltage before and after the engine has been started. Also possible to identify if each glow plug is working.

Considering that all the glowplugs are attached to a common busbar driven from a relay which AFAIK has no connection to the ECU from the "live" side, then I would say that would be quite an impressive feat. Also I doubt if VAG-COM will monitor the battery voltage dynamically during a start - which is what is important.

[buford_t_justice]

Considering that all the glowplugs are attached to a common busbar driven from a relay which AFAIK has no connection to the ECU from the "live" side, then I would say that would be quite an impressive feat. Also I doubt if VAG-COM will monitor the battery voltage dynamically during a start - which is what is important.

 

 

Well an impressive feat it is then because VAG-COM can produce live data for each glow plug.

[NikpV]

I wonder if there is a difference here between mk1 and mk2 ??