Seat Alhambra 1.9TDI Starting Problems

[atul]

very hard start at any time of the day, but seems to start when i spray easy start into the air filter...i have tried changing the fuel filter, glow plugs, the timing is correct, changing the pump solonoid, took the fuel pipe off the fuel filter and connected direct to a can full of diesel, even then...it is a hard start.
Does anyone know whether you can adjust the diesel pump timing, to either advance it, or retire it?
If so can anybody help, much appreiciated!

[Dozz]

Before you go down that route have you checked for air leaks in the fuel system

[atul]

hi dozz, yep, done that, no air leaks, but car's still playing up.

[rikwalter]

Hi there,

Have you checked to make sure there isn't a blockage in the airbox itself?
Does the car smoke a lot when started?
How about getting a compression test done as diesels require high compression to ignite the fuel/air mixture.
RiK

[redmax90]

yea there is a way of adjusting the timing. sounds like ur cars timing is badly retarded! im assuming its an older tdi ?? the VAG diagnostics will give timing values ..if the values are out of scale it is corrected by manual movement of the Injector pump forwards or backwards.. very very delicate work indeed lol but that to me sounds like ur problem.
how many miles are on the car ???

[cbrpaul]

yes incorrect IP ( injection pump) timing would cause this , have you had your tb ( timing belt) checked or changed recently , a worn tb can jump a tooth .

unforntunately if you take your car to a garage without VAG-COM to do a tb change , they cannot use it check the timings and adjust it if needed !!!!

In some cases if the IP moves while the tb is off , they can infact make it alot worse without realising

also check the device on the side of your turbo, itslike an arm that moves sideways , they can stick , shutting off all air supply into turbo and and therefore engine !!!

does it matter if the engine is hot or cold ?

[Seat Driver]

Atul

I have just been reading your original message. Are you sure there is power going to the glow plugs?

If the engine is the pre PD TDI there is a relay tucked away somewhere that appears to affect a number of the systems (it is refered to as Relay 12 or something ) This will stop the fuel shutoff from activating, among other things, when you go to start the engine. I have experienced the problem with my daughters car and it is extremely difficult to detect as it clears and there is nothing to find. I resorted to a VW specialist who identified the problem within minutes and the relay was about £10 or £15, although he was reluctant to tell me where it was, he said it took him 6 years or whatever to find out about it.

Ivan

[gforeign]

If you could find out where that relay is located that would be great, I think i have a problem down that road.

[nick27]

hi relay 12 is number 103 and it is behind the fuse box got the same problem and trying to sort mine out

[sue3008]

I have a seat alhambra 1.9TDI it is 1997. I have a similar problem starting it. It is almost like I have to wind it up to get it started. I have had a full service done inc glow plugs and the starter motor has not long been changed. Could it be this relay or is anything else that it could be?

Thanks sue