Turning over for 3 or 4 seconds

[Tripletrouble]

I went to start my car as usual this morning and as the title say, it turned over for 3 or 4 seconds before firing.
A couple of months ago a similar thing happened. The car did a regen cycle yesterday which did finish and I then did a 60 mile motorway run on the way home so I doubt that could have effected it.
It usually starts from cold within a second.
Has anyone else experienced this?

[Whippy53]

As no one else can be bothered I'll give it a shot, sounds like a possible preheat problem? Try turning on ignition for three or four seconds before trying to start it, see if it makes any difference. Other than that you could check battery voltage, than can sometimes cause issues if low. Failing that bang some two stroke in the tank, I'm told it cures everything.

[Paul Barls]

This happened to me a few years back, the car was always perfect, then all of a sudden the cold weather turned up and it took up to 5 seconds to start, and a little pfff of white smoke. When i checked with the VCDS and there were 2 glow plugs that had failed, this was not a problem until the weather was cold.

[Tripletrouble]

In that case I think a call to my dealer could be in order. No smoke that I noticed but I will try leaving the ignition on for a couple of seconds before I start it this morning as it's freezing out there.

[Justinos]

Glow plug issue gets my vote also, given the weather has just turned colder. Not had this issue on an Audi, but did have it on a previous car where some of the glow plugs were starting to fail. Leaving the ignition on for a few seconds before cranking got round it - I think it turned out to be the wiring, a lose connection to one of the plugs - worth checking/cleaning with some contact cleaner?

[Whippy53]

In that case I think a call to my dealer could be in order. No smoke that I noticed but I will try leaving the ignition on for a couple of seconds before I start it this morning as it's freezing out there.

So, how was it?

[Vagnuts]

If it is not under 5degrese the plugs dont heat--Yes the light do's come on but plugs dont heat !!!

[Tripletrouble]

So, how was it?

This time I got in and turned the ignition on whilst I buckled up, then started it. Perfect.
I think that with these button starts we've forgotten that we used to turn a key and wait a couple of seconds before starting.
I've got used to just jumping in, foot on brake and immediately asking the car to start.

[Whippy53]

Good man, pretty much identified the problem. At least you know what's causing it.