Felicia 1.9d poor hot starting

[AngusWill]

Herself has a 1997 Felicia 1.9D. I have just renewed the glow plugs, all 4 U/S. trouble is hot starting, if she drives for 10 miles stops for 5 mins it takes 15 - 20 seconds of cranking then it fires up OK. No sign of the heaters cutting in. Is there a water or air-temp sensor somewhere or an enrichment system somehow playing up, or the EGR. It runs ok all the rest of the time, 89000 miles, belts, filters and oil all good. Any clues ?she is moaning at me ! not good for starter or battery either

[kenney]

Hi The symptoms you describe are typical of a fulty temp sensor.

[AngusWill]

Thanks Kenny,
I am not used to the ways of this forum yet. I bought the only sensor listed by Allparts in High wycombe part no 0 280 130 026 it has a bluey/grey top with 2 connectors I can find 3 sensors in the engine bay. 1 high on the side of the head only 1 connector, there is another in the side of the rad 3 conn's and 1 in the outlet hose from the head with 4 conn's, but this one is hiding unless I have the wrong part. I will have to go to the local dealer and look at their exploded views. Any ideas on the location ? There is the same thread going on in Briskoda they are talking about blocked tank vents leaking air pipes amongst other things, but one interesting mention was relay 109 which apparently works fine when cold but breaks down when hot "a known problem"!!

[zollaf]

could be the relay. if the glow plug light doesnt show on the dash when you try to start it, then thats a sign the engine control relay is playing up. you can easily take the relay out and remove the cover to see if there are any dry joints in there. if so, these can be soldered up. if the fault now goes, youve struck lucky. dry joints are the main reason for anything electrical breaking down. this relay powers up the glow plug relay switching circuit, as well as the ecu and most of the engine sensors, so does quite a lot of work.

[kenney]

What is your engine code?

[AngusWill]

I now have the correct sensor with the 4 connector socket, waiting suitable weather and time. Went to local diesel specialists and they told me that they have had this and found this has problem to be due to worn fuel pump, App £700 overhaul cost, but a dodge is to have the electrics rewired such that the gloplugs come on at every start, this can be proved by hot wiring the plugs with a length of stout wire prior to a hot start I will change the sensor and see if that helps.

[AngusWill]

New, correct sensor fitted Sunday and starting is fine. heaters operate when hot although the hand book says they should not, not sure if every time, will keep quizzing Madam. Also fitted a new battery, but fitted sensor first to see result. Temp gauge now reads over 110 where it used to be high 70's but is constant. The fan has not cut in where it used to when following a slow bus up the hill so something to keep an eye on, no doubt I will be told of any adverse happenings.
Thanks all for comments, sorry Kenney I did not give the engine No, seems a bit irrelevent now!