Golf doesn't start sometimes

[THR]

On reflection, there is no chance I didn't warm the glow plugs yesterday. I was in the car for amount five minutes with the electronics on before we started (as I was waiting for someone)... so they would have warmed then...

(Unless of course someone tells me this was a bad thing to do.)

[Russ59]

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.

If you're having trouble starting it since the servicing was done, then I suggest you take it back to the service dept. and tell them the problem. It may or may not be associated with the service, but if it didn't do it before they touched it, then I wouldn't accept that it does now without having it noted

[Russ59]

On reflection, there is no chance I didn't warm the glow plugs yesterday. I was in the car for amount five minutes with the electronics on before we started (as I was waiting for someone)... so they would have warmed then...

(Unless of course someone tells me this was a bad thing to do.)

Not a bad thing to do but probably no better than not letting them glow at all. I'm sure you'll find that most glow plug systems will have a circuit breaker on them to protect the plugs from overheating. Therefore by leaving the ignition on for 5 minutes and then trying to start it, the circuit breaker would have kicked in and cut the power to the plugs, so by the time the 5 minutes you waited before starting have past, the plugs would be cold again and it would be no different to an initial cold start where you didn't give it time to glow. Next time you try to start it from cold, give it around 5 seconds (max) to glow and then hit the starter, if it is still having trouble, I would suggest that there is a problem, and I would take it to the dealer and have it checked.

[neil]

If you're having trouble starting it since the servicing was done, then I suggest you take it back to the service dept. and tell them the problem. It may or may not be associated with the service, but if it didn't do it before they touched it, then I wouldn't accept that it does now without having it noted

I don't have a problem with starting unless its been sitting around for a few weeks, Then it can take a few key turns to start. Before the servicing you could leave it a few weeks and still have instant starting.
I just put it down to possible something they have done or not done ,which when I get time will get them to check.

[jettapilot]

I would blame the dealer (if you bought it new) for not running through the correct operating procedures with you at delivery time

My dealer told me nothing about glow plugs or anything else about driving a diesel. Everything I know I've learnt here. Now I know about glow plugs.

I usually just get it, turn it on, drive away (but not too fast since I learnt here to let it warm up a little)

[Russ59]

My dealer told me nothing about glow plugs or anything else about driving a diesel. Everything I know I've learnt here. Now I know about glow plugs.

I usually just get it, turn it on, drive away (but not too fast since I learnt here to let it warm up a little)

When I took delivery of the GT, the original salesman went to the trouble of going through everything with me including the need to wait a couple of seconds for the glow light to go off before starting. It's nothing like the diesel dinosaurs of years ago, you needed to glow some of these for up to 30 seconds. My brother had an old Landcruiser diesel which actually had a small socket in the dash which after turning the ignition key anticlockwise and holding it for about 20 - 30 seconds would glow bright orange (just like a glowing cigarette lighter), once it was glowing orange you'd crank it over and then wait for the black smoke to clear around you before driving off

[THR]

My dealer didn't mention it at all and again, most of what I've learned is from looking and reading this forum.

(In terms of running in, waiting for engine to warm up, etc.) Just didn't happen to know about the glow plugs.

Anyway, I don't really think it was the issue and it's quite intermittent but if it happens again, I'll get them to check it.

[Russ59]

I would get it checked sooner rather than later mate, because when the cold weather arrives, if the glow plugs are playing up you could find the car won't start at all Just a thought anyway

[Oli]

..another one with same problem

I do have very simular problem(99%) on my 2.0tdi with 45000km.
Still didnt have time to play but could be glow plugs (maybe )..dont think so its the fuel related but will see...its got very hard start (cold or warm, warm just a bit better) need to hold key for 6-7 second and you think it did start but it didnt so 2-3 times and its running,,,If I do something in midtime I will you know...
...
Cheers
Oli

[Preen59]

I can't believe some dealers and sales people not running through the complete procedure on a new car! That's poor salesmanship. Very, very poor.

I'm surprised to read that some people are having trouble with starting. I would suggest that any issues with starting be taken up with your dealer.

My Caddy will start first kick when it's about 5 degrees ambient in the morning WITHOUT glowing the plugs. It stumbles a bit initially but clears up very quickly. (Not a general practice of mine, but i've done it before early in the morning half asleep.. )

[STV4SYT]

My brother had an old Landcruiser diesel which actually had a small socket in the dash which after turning the ignition key anticlockwise and holding it for about 20 - 30 seconds would glow bright orange (just like a glowing cigarette lighter), once it was glowing orange you'd crank it over and then wait for the black smoke to clear around you before driving off

Haha, sounds just like my dad's old Internatianal tractor, had exactlly the same thing.

I agree that the sales people here dont mention about heating up, having grown up driving diesels its 2nd nature to me to let it warm up, the only exception to that is if its above 20deg C its not eally necessarry, but given how quickly it does heat up its not a biggy.


Im guessing that these problems are being hightened with the change to cooler weather, glow plugs should easily do 50,000km before giving any hassles.

[Preen59]

I would think you probably stumble first thing most mornings as well, don't you Preeny
Oh and by the way, I'm an old fart, I don't stumble, I stagger

Yeah.. That's if you can wake up before noon, right?


Russ' "driving shoes".

[Russ59]

Yeah.. That's if you can wake up before noon, right?


Russ' "driving shoes".

Can you get them in white, they might be a bit fast for me in red

I wish I could sleep in till noon sometimes but with my old back since surgery mate I'm usually up by 7.00 am at the latest, can't lie around too long
LOL I have an artificial disc implant and the missus keeps talking about getting one of those magnetic underlays for the bed, maybe if she does I'll be stuck in bed all day and won't be able to get out due to the metal in the disc and the magnets

[Transporter]

Can you get them in white, they might be a bit fast for me in red

I wish I could sleep in till noon sometimes but with my old back since surgery mate I'm usually up by 7.00 am at the latest, can't lie around too long
LOL I have an artificial disc implant and the missus keeps talking about getting one of those magnetic underlays for the bed, maybe if she does I'll be stuck in bed all day and won't be able to get out due to the metal in the disc and the magnets

That magnetic underlay will kill you mate.
You get stuck to the magnets and you will get the blood clot from not moving.
I wouldn't sleep on the magnets if I were you.

[vmq6695]

LOL I have an artificial disc implant and the missus keeps talking about getting one of those magnetic underlays for the bed, maybe if she does I'll be stuck in bed all day and won't be able to get out due to the metal in the disc and the magnets

Any implant is unlikely to be ferritic and so not attracted by a magnet. It will either be an austenitic stainless steel or something more exotic (eg platinum).

Some inexpensive stainless steels are ferritic, but quality stainless steels are austenitic - the iron atoms form a face centred cubic crystal so you get a largish spacing between the iron atoms and a relatively low density of electron energy levels. Those two factors (the interatomic spacing and the low density of electron energy levels) mean that the magnetic moments of the atoms within the crystals do not align, so you don't get ferromagnetism.

That's why you always carry a small magnet when you go shopping for stainless steel: poor quality stainless steel is magnetic and will rust; the higher quality ss is not magnetic.