TDI Cold Start issues

[therealvw]

Hi, a frined of ours here in NZ has recently bought a Tdi. Loved the car untill it started failing to start. This happens when the car has been stood for a couple of days... It has been back and forth to the dealer and they seem stumped by the fault. Firstly saying it was a fimrware issue and did the update, then saying that now there is nothing wrong with it.

As far as I know the engine turns over properly and all there is enough juice in the battery and also diesel, but it just won't fire.

Anyone heard of a similar issue??

Is there a special process that has to be followed to start the car if it has a DSG gearbox?? i.e. foot break on and it in park?? ??

Cheers

[daclyn]

Diesel engines have "Glow Plugs" and need to preheat before turning the starter. Wait for Glow Plug indicator to go out before starting.

If you have a VagCom do a diagnostic. (Will show faulty Glow Plugs)

VW engines will start with only 2 Glow Plugs working in normal weather but in very cold require all 4.

Remove Glow plug harness and check with a Ohm Meter across each Glow Plug. Resistance should be approx. 0.5 ohms.

I had 2 U/S and car started OK in our very cold UK winter. (car had only done 30K miles)

All the best.

[therealvw]

Thanks for the reply Daclyn,
Yep apparently the Glow Plug light goes out and it still won't turn over.
The car has been back several times to the Authorised VW Garage where it was bought from. You would think that the technicians there would be able to check for Glowplug issues.
At the moment our friends are using a courtesy car but their car has been in the garage for a month, and the garage are saying it isn't faulting for them.

So, any other issues that anyone knows of??

Cheers




Diesel engines have "Glow Plugs" and need to preheat before turning the starter. Wait for Glow Plug indicator to go out before starting.

If you have a VagCom do a diagnostic. (Will show faulty Glow Plugs)

VW engines will start with only 2 Glow Plugs working in normal weather but in very cold require all 4.

Remove Glow plug harness and check with a Ohm Meter across each Glow Plug. Resistance should be approx. 0.5 ohms.

I had 2 U/S and car started OK in our very cold UK winter. (car had only done 30K miles)

All the best.

[daclyn]

**RECALL INFORMATION** Found this article, show it to the dealer.



http://www.myturbodiesel.com/1000q/GlowPlugPDrecall.htm

[therealvw]

Thanks for that!! I'll pass tht on the my friends.... does sound like it could be that sort of thing. Although the weather here in NZ has been and is generally fairly warm.... but an engine not used for 4 -5 days could be considered cold..

Cheers!

Ian

**RECALL INFORMATION** Found this article, show it to the dealer.



http://www.myturbodiesel.com/1000q/GlowPlugPDrecall.htm

[sgtbanjo]

The issue could also be a fuel pump, they have two. In my experience the lift pump, in the fuel tank is normally the one which causes this issue.

[Elwick]

I am having similar problems with my 56 170TDI ..... car has never been a strong starter - sometimes in cold conditions often will only start at the 2nd attempt. Strange this is that when warm it starts fine and it always runs OK once started.

A couple of weeks ago it wouldn't start at all - eventually fired after about 12 attempts so is going back again soon.

Dealer can find no fault or problem - it has been back twice and they have done a software update, checked glo-plugs etc. I will take details of the recall notice - and also metnion the fuel pump as they admit themselves they have no idea what to try next.

Could it also be an airflow problem? MAF sensor?

E