cold start trouble.

[exosteve]

after having trouble starting the truck on monday (just kept turning over and no fire) we ended up using (dont bollock me) easy start.
so we thought it was the glow plugs.
im no mechanic but takled the job myself and it still struggles to start.
had no choice but to use easy start again. it chuffed some smoke out ran lumpy for a bit then was great again.
the last thing i need at the mo is messing about with engines, I want to get in and go.
I dont want to use easy start as it kills engines.any thoughts of what to look at next?
I need it reliable

 

[cncfabs]

after having trouble starting the truck on monday (just kept turning over and no fire) we ended up using (dont bollock me) easy start.
so we thought it was the glow plugs.
im no mechanic but takled the job myself and it still struggles to start.
had no choice but to use easy start again. it chuffed some smoke out ran lumpy for a bit then was great again.
the last thing i need at the mo is messing about with engines, I want to get in and go.
I dont want to use easy start as it kills engines.any thoughts of what to look at next?
I need it reliable

Did you check that there was power getting to the glowplugs

 

[R1cho]

where in the midlands are you?

 

[makeitfit]

What truck have you got? TD or TDi ?
Check the g/p solenoid is ok and no missing or corroded wires.
Does the g/p light come on and go off?

 

[clivvy]

I agree with the above, glow plug/relay first. Easy check. when cold, go put the key in the ignition, turn on but dont start, and do this with the bonnet open- Listen, you should hear the glow plug relay click, once, twice maybe etc, the glow plug ligh ton the dash should then go out, and your ready to start.

can you take a video perhaps??

 

[geoffdown]

after having trouble starting the truck on monday (just kept turning over and no fire) we ended up using (dont bollock me) easy start.
so we thought it was the glow plugs.
im no mechanic but takled the job myself and it still struggles to start.
had no choice but to use easy start again. it chuffed some smoke out ran lumpy for a bit then was great again.
the last thing i need at the mo is messing about with engines, I want to get in and go.
I dont want to use easy start as it kills engines.any thoughts of what to look at next?
I need it reliable

are u running diesel or svo and as makeitfit said what engine td tdi or even the 3 di:thumbs

 

[Kamsin]

DONT USE EASY START......you truck will start to depend on it.

In addition to the above comments:-

If your using SVO, add some petrol to it, about 10%

Check conections on the glow plug rail, make sure they all clean.

Check fuel filter or just replace, costs about £8

Most people turn on ignition and then when glow plugs go out try to start, this is only the first warm, wait till the glow light goes out and listen for the "Click" or just count to 60, then try it.

Mines been a bugger in the cold but this starts it everytime.

 

[exosteve]

morning everyone.
ive got to go out shortly and will have a listen to the soleniod thingy.
hope it starts today as I know easy starts a bad thing to use.
the glow plug light comes on and goes of as it should and ive given them a couple of warms before starting.
its a 2001 se+ (bit thick when it comes to cars(does tdi mean turbo deisel injection) or turbo deisel intercooler?)
its a td intercooler.
my local shop wanted 20 quid each for the plugs.
but I brought some from ebay for 24 quid for the set.
hope it wasnt false economy.

 

[exosteve]

where in the midlands are you?

stoke on trent bud

 

[exosteve]

Did you check that there was power getting to the glowplugs

i will get my mate check for power when i can catch him in.

 

[stinka]

Yeah check for power to rail

I'm in Barlaston pal if u want to pop around, message me

 

[exosteve]

I might take you up on that stinka.
it wouldnt start again first thing this morning. had no choice but to use the dreaded spray.
I had a listen for any clicking of the glow plug coils or anything and heard nothing so need to get that checked.
I also think the battery is too small for the truck.
hope i didnt buy another shed.
steve

 

[davenclaire]

if you cant here the glow plug relay clicking then thats a good sign as its probely that, you could alway connect a jump lead from the + positive terminal of your battery to the buzz bar count to 10 then try and start it, if it fires up then your relay is proberly fooked.

iv not had a look inside one on these motors yet but they can be internally fused ie solderd to the circuit board inside its a simple job to run a by pass if this is the case.

try the jump lead trick 1st.

 

[makeitfit]

Re G/P solenoid , there are a couple of small gauge wires for the timing circuit and ecu I think. They can corrode and leave the solenoid isolated , so check them carefully too. Stupid place for the thing anyway, right up in the wing :doh
What size battery is it by the way?

 

[rustic]

the circuitry and how the glow plug heaters are powered are different on the Td and the Tdi.

the Tdi controller drops the power using a big dropper resistor, and a second relay, after the glow plug light goes out, thus still giving some heat after the engine has started.

The Td just heats for the duration of the glow plug light.

Test your glow plugs, they last 3-4 years or so, so chances are at least one has gone every year.:nenau

hope this helps..
best regards,
Rustic

 

[glanrichbex]

Don't go by the sound of the relay, that's only a noise generated by the solenoid.

To test it properly, connect a bulb ( any bulb e.g brake light / side light etc ) from the top rail which goes from plug to plug and battery negative. This will show you thet the relay contacts are actually supplying the rail.

If the bulb lights when you turn on the ignition then you do have power and then you must remove the rail and check the continuity of each plug individually.

A simple way to do this is to connect one end of your test bulb to the positive of the battery and the other end to the top of each glow plug ...... if the bulb lights the glow plug element of that plug is O.K ...... it doesn't tell you the condition of the bottom of the plug tho.

 

[briggie]

very cold weather kills batteries ...... have it checked :thumb2