Golf doesn't start sometimes

[THR]

Hey,

A couple of times recently I have attempted to start my 2.0 Golf TDI and it hasn't started immediately.

On one occasion I had left it at the long term car park at Sydney airport for three days while in Melbourne. On returning, I couldn't get it started for about 15 minutes (it took around 7 attempts before it finally started to turn over). In between, the MFD said "STOP!" when I was attempting to start it.

It's definitely not battery related, as everything else functions. I had actually called the callout assistance but the car started before they got there. The technician said they couldn't identify the problem but that it happens from time to time with the diesels?

Anyway, it did it again today. This time I'd used it yesterday, so it definitely wasn't cold. It took around 3-4 times to get it started and when it does first start, it sounds quite rough.

Any ideas? Is this common? Is it something to be concerned about?

It's done 14,000km and just over one year old and recently serviced (February).

[Russ59]

Hey,

A couple of times recently I have attempted to start my 2.0 Golf TDI and it hasn't started immediately.

On one occasion I had left it at the long term car park at Sydney airport for three days while in Melbourne. On returning, I couldn't get it started for about 15 minutes (it took around 7 attempts before it finally started to turn over). In between, the MFD said "STOP!" when I was attempting to start it.

It's definitely not battery related, as everything else functions. I had actually called the callout assistance but the car started before they got there. The technician said they couldn't identify the problem but that it happens from time to time with the diesels?

Anyway, it did it again today. This time I'd used it yesterday, so it definitely wasn't cold. It took around 3-4 times to get it started and when it does first start, it sounds quite rough.

Any ideas? Is this common? Is it something to be concerned about?

It's done 14,000km and just over one year old and recently serviced (February).

Sounds like maybe a glow plug issue, I would suggest a trip to the dealer and get them to run a check on it and see if it has thrown any error codes. You mentioned getting a message to STOP, I would tell them that when you take it in, although that may not be related to the problem, but more so to how long you were trying to crank it over (perhaps a battery low warning message or something). It could also be a crap lot of fuel, have you filled up somewhere different recently, you could also try running some diesel injector cleaner through it as well.

[Preen59]

You are waiting for the plugs to glow first, right? (Serious question).

I've started the caddy before being lazy and not waiting for the plugs on a very cold morning and it stumbled and was very rough for a few seconds before smoothing out.

I'd say a glow plug issue, however i've found my Caddy to be quite good cold starting just hitting the key straight up unless its fairly cold..

[THR]

Excuse my stupidity but how do you "wait for them to glow"? I cranked it a few times (and on each occasion it did tell me to "STOP!" eventually).

Fuel wise, it's had a fill up in between the issue occurring, both BP fuel but from different locations.

I'll check it out at the dealer if it happens again, thanks

[Preen59]

Excuse my stupidity but how do you "wait for them to glow"? I cranked it a few times (and on each occasion it did tell me to "STOP!" eventually).

Fuel wise, it's had a fill up in between the issue occurring, both BP fuel but from different locations.

I'll check it out at the dealer if it happens again, thanks

Oh, sorry.. On instrument panel there's a little icon that lights up when you first turn the ignition on. It looks like a little coil type thing. It'll go out once the glow plugs have heated up. Takes about 2 seconds. So you switch the ignition on, wait for the light to go out, then hit the key.

Have i explained that clearly?

EDIT:

This isn't the right dash, but the icon looks like this..

[THR]

Aaah, yes

Sorry... to be honest, I'm not sure if there was any pause , but I did try several times. I'll do that from now on though...!

Edit: I don't recall ever seeing that icon but I'll have a look next time.

[gregozedobe]

Can I suggest you also have a good look through your owner manuals ? There is lots of good info there (glow plug functionality included)

[Russ59]

The glow plug light will be around about the centre left on the tacho, but you'll have to be quick to see it, it generally only stays on for a second or two, so if you blink you could you miss it

Try waiting for at least 5 seconds before cranking it over (especially on cold mornings) and hopefully there will be no more issue. I would blame the dealer (if you bought it new) for not running through the correct operating procedures with you at delivery time

[THR]

Can I suggest you also have a good look through your owner manuals ? There is lots of good info there (glow plug functionality included)

Thanks for the tip but like anything, it's difficult to completely read and comprehend a full set of instructions cover to cover.

And no, it was never pointed out to me.

[Greg Roles]

Yep, I agree with the people above, glowplugs, back to the dealer to cheack for error codes, a bottle of Fuel doctor or similar to remove any water / algae you may have picked up in a bad batch of diesel, and definately wait for the glow plugs to warm up. Should still start within a few seconds though, as the glowies will heat up rather fast.... and I'd figure it's hard to flood a diesel? No plug to get wet....

[Preen59]

and I'd figure it's hard to flood a diesel? No plug to get wet....

Yeah well, electronic throttle, everything is computer controlled, so i'd reckon it would be damn near impossible.

If you did "wet" the glow plugs, if they were working properly, when you glow them they should burn the fuel off them anyway.

[neil]

Hey,

A couple of times recently I have attempted to start my 2.0 Golf TDI and it hasn't started immediately.

On one occasion I had left it at the long term car park at Sydney airport for three days while in Melbourne. On returning, I couldn't get it started for about 15 minutes (it took around 7 attempts before it finally started to turn over). In between, the MFD said "STOP!" when I was attempting to start it.

It's definitely not battery related, as everything else functions. I had actually called the callout assistance but the car started before they got there. The technician said they couldn't identify the problem but that it happens from time to time with the diesels?

Anyway, it did it again today. This time I'd used it yesterday, so it definitely wasn't cold. It took around 3-4 times to get it started and when it does first start, it sounds quite rough.

Any ideas? Is this common? Is it something to be concerned about?

It's done 14,000km and just over one year old and recently serviced (February).

Im wondering if its the servicing.
I had mine serviced a few months ago and now if I leave the car more than 3 weeks it will not start first go,
I normally just turn the key without foot on accelerator and it starts first go, now after leaving it sitting
for weeks it can take 3 key turns to start and only after I have placed my foot on the accelerator.
Maybe the fuel filter has not been tightened correctly. I would not have thought placing my foot on accelerator
would do anything maybe just a coincidence and it starts after the fuel is pumped into the filter because of the filter not being tightened.
Have been to lazy to check but will have a look tomorrow although I have had a look for fuel leak and nothing.
So can a fuel filter suck in air when hot and cooling but not leak fuel.

[Preen59]

Im wondering if its the servicing.
I had mine serviced a few months ago and now if I leave the car more than 3 weeks it will not start first go,
I normally just turn the key without foot on accelerator and it starts first go, now after leaving it sitting
for weeks it can take 3 key turns to start and only after I have placed my foot on the accelerator.
Maybe the fuel filter has not been tightened correctly. I would not have thought placing my foot on accelerator
would do anything maybe just a coincidence and it starts after the fuel is pumped into the filter because of the filter not being tightened.
Have been to lazy to check but will have a look tomorrow although I have had a look for fuel leak and nothing.
So can a fuel filter suck in air when hot and cooling but not leak fuel.

Electronic throttle dude, putting your foot down when you start it does nothing.

I can't imagine the fuel filter would be loose or you'd have a serious mess. I can't really see why servicing would upset it when you don't start it for a while either.

[neil]

Electronic throttle dude, putting your foot down when you start it does nothing.

I can't imagine the fuel filter would be loose or you'd have a serious mess. I can't really see why servicing would upset it when you don't start it for a while either.

I thought it was just a coincidence with the throttle.

I never had an issue with starting ,after leaving it sitting for a few weeks until its first service.

[benno]

and I'd figure it's hard to flood a diesel? No plug to get wet....

Not to mention the distinct lack of a carby!