hard starting tdi today......

[Greg Roles]

Your spark plugs are playing up.

[85turbo]

funny man !

[HiTorque]

im leaning towards a glitch of some kind, or the immobiliser.
but as mentioned, the engine would not start at all. it did crank normally though, so that kind of rules out the immobiliser i guess....

as for looking for error codes, i don't have access to VCDS (yet) so i might have to pay a visit to the local VW dealer i guess....

it does seem strange that the wipers were doing the single sweep though.
for now, ill hope it does not happen again. if it does, ill have to investigate further.

i have plans to purchase the cable and software license from ross-tech as soon as i can afford it.

Jason.

Nop, it's not immo, not RFID. I read somewhere that warm starting problem in TDI attributes to glowplug control module or sensor that works differently when engine is cold or warm/hot also it linked to fuel supply system, so get it to a dealer.

[Maverick]

funny man !

Get your battery tested, doesn't cost anything and it will clear that up as a possible cause.

[mikinoz]

No warning lights makes me think it is an anomaly.

[85turbo]

Mav,
I serriously doubt it's the battery, as it had loads of cranking power, and was turning over at the regular speed.
But as you say, I'll get my auto electrician to have a look anyway.

It has not happened again. If it does, i'll look into it further.
Could well be some warm/hot start system is stating to fail.

Who knows. So far it's only been the once off.

Jason.

[85turbo]

Guess what ?

it seems you were right Mav !

i had to replace the battery last weekend, and it seems my hot starting problem is completely GONE.

the engine now starts with gusto hot or cold. no more cranking and cranking when hot.
turn the key and it starts almost immediately.

what led to the battery change.....
last weekend, i was doing a few odd jobs on the car, and had to move it 3 or 4 times without actually driving any distance.
the last start was very laboured, and it only just started. so i went and got the biggest battery i could find, and stuck it in.

ended up with a good condition second hand BMW 5 series battery. 650 CCA.
it was so big, that i couldn't re fit the inner sleeve around the battery.
the outer box is still in place though, and the battery was cheap too..... (under $50)

Jason.