Occasional Delay When Starting

[tim-spam]

Hi there.

 

Normally, my 2002 Alhambra TDI PD starts instantly hot or cold, but once in a while (and more often when the engine's warm), it takes 2 - 3 seconds of cranking before it fires. When this happens, the starter turns over at a good speed (so there is no problem with the battery), and when the engine fires, it runs perfectly normally with no stumbles or misfires. I was wondering if there is a relay somewhere that's sticking occasionally (relay 27?) - has anyone else had this problem? By the way, there are no error codes on VAGCOM.

 

Thanks.

[Smilge]

Tim ....... sounds like glow plugish even though the weathers still warm. Does the VAG-COM check the plug resistances? Fuel quality of last refuel? Injection pump timing is another thought? .... Thats what the good Bosch book suggests anyway.

[big_kev]

Lack of Fuel or Air would seem the likliest.

 

Check filters

[tim-spam]

Thanks for the replies.

 

It's only ever happened twice with a cold engine - it normally happens with a warm or hot engine. If it was glow plug related, it would also tend to 'chug' into life, but after the 2 - 3 seconds of winding the starter, it starts perfectly, all 4 cylinders together. 99% of the time, it starts absolutely instantly, cold, warm or hot. The in-tank lift pump is working, the fuel and air filters are newish, and there are no leaks in the system. PD engines are far less sensitive to air leaks in the fuel system than the earlier engines with a distributor type fuel pump anyway - if there are any leaks, fuel tends to leak out rather than air leaking in.

 

It seems as if there is a relay or switch somewhere, which is occasionally not switching when it should.

Edited September 10, 2007 by tim-spam

[Stevoo]

im not diesel expert but sounds like air in system maybe? is your engine the direct injection diesel? if so air in system can cause the pressure to go a bit crazzzzzzzzzzzzzzzy :-p

[Shabazmo]

I had the same problem with my Mk 1, but it started well cold but 2-3 secs when warm. Couldn't find the fault nor could the Ford dealer. 6 months later the starter motor burnt out and when changed, all worked perferctly. The starter appeared to turn ok before failure. i know it doesn't make sense but thats my experiemce.

Regards

[BAZ8046]

I have the same problem with my 55 plate TDI. Did you ever resolve the problem?

[big matt]

I have the same problem with my 55 plate TDI. Did you ever resolve the problem?

Hi my 52 plate alhambra was doing the same thing, until yesterday but now it just spins over but won't fire. No vag codes prsent suspect high pressure fuel pump!!!!

[Seatdriver]

I suspect its just a quirk of the vehicle, my 2003 Sharan Tdi does just the same and so do two others, a 2004 galaxy Tdi (115) and a Alhambra 2005 Tdi (130).

 

I have always found that run the car to hot then leave for 10-20 min hey presto it never fires instantly like it does when its cold. Turning the ingnition key to the point where the fuel pump runs then turning off and then starting nearly always results in the engine firing instantly.

 

All cars mentioned have had new fuel, air filters and are fully serviced, in my opinion too much of a coincidence!

[big matt]

I have the same problem with my 55 plate TDI. Did you ever resolve the problem?

Hi my 52 plate alhambra was doing the same thing, until yesterday but now it just spins over but won't fire. No vag codes prsent suspect high pressure fuel pump!!!!

[Tony]

Hi

 

I had this problem start after I did the last service, where it took longer to start when hot and it was intermitant when cold sometimes straight away sometimes longer. Anyway after reading this thread and others thought mine must be fuel filter related, so I had a butchers, There are four pipes to the fuel filter 2 seperate with spring clips (fidly things) and 2 that connect to a plastic push in fitting with a retaining clip.

 

When I have removed the push fit fitting in the past it has always been tight to remove and push back in, whilst removing to check connections this time I was suprised how easily it popped out and the back in and on further investigation of the rubber seals they look worn, so I put a litle vaseline around seals and re-fitted. So far the starting is back to how it used to be. I will now be seeking new seals.

 

There was now sign of a diesel leak and I don't know what the function of each pipe is but its seems to have solved my problem for now.

 

Hope this is of some help to someone

 

Tony