One for Toolbox perhaps - Temp sender problem

[Terranosaurus]

Local fencing contractor came round yesterday to do a quote for next door, he drives a Mk2 Maverick and I got chatting with him, he's having the following problem.

Car starts fine when cold but will only start with difficulty when hot unless the engine tep sender is disconnected (he's put a switch in so he can do it from inside. Activating this switch lights the MIL unsurprisingly but it starts fine.

He tells me he has tried a new temp sender and it was just the same - any ideas?

Is considering selling it as has had it to a couple of garages and is fed up of it, though other than this he's had no bother with it. I pointed out his suspension was well in need of a wind up (if he had any front bump stops it would have been on them) and he said he was going to do that.

 

[extreme-4x4]

i had a skoda with hot start problems when warm no glow light on the dash and no start unless you really wind it for 60 seconds or so.
very common problem with skoda 1.9 deisel

some say temp sender switch. change it to a petrol switch it runs hotter but thinks its still cold and runs a bit rich

others bypass that and switch the glow plugs but have to remember to switch them off

skoda recon its the fuel pump injecter.... but it only really happens on cars out of warranty (makes sense mine had very very low emissions)

some disco's have a hot start problem too but there is a part to fix them apararently


do a google on skoda hot start


funny the skoda was the car i had before the mav. lovely pick up great engine and fuel ecconomy . only sold it cos of the hot start

 

[Toolbox]

I would firstly check that all 4 glow plugs are ok.
If the plugs are ok then as the ECU controls the glow plug relay by providing an earth connection, I would think it can only be down to the ECU or temp sender providing the wrong signal, may be worth checking the continuity of the wiring to and from the ECU to the sender and I would also check the ECU earthing, may even be worth trying a resistor in line.