rallyrobbo38

Thanks for all your suggestions guys, looks like the concensus is battery trouble. Something I had not thought of TBH, because there are no other symtoms and the interior light does not dim when starting. I have had the car for three years and not changed the battery, and judging by the corrosion around the clamp it's been there a while. No pink drumming bunnies in this one! Trundlenut, it starts perfect when the engine is warm, first turn every time. Ken, I will borrow a multimeter from work tomorrow and give it a try. if she won't start in the morning I will try jumping off the wifes car, (with leads I mean not actually climbing up....you know what I meant!). I'll let you know how she goes on. Many thanks again Paul

Thanks for the reply Calum I always wait for the preheater light to go out but this doesn't help at all in this case. No amount of waitiing or coaxing will start the car. Same thing again this morning since it's -6 and covered in snow! Cheers Paul

Evening All! Once again winter is upon us and my 2003 1.9TDI estate will not start these cold mornings. Can anyone help? I have seen other posts on here from other owners with similar problems but no definitive answer. Spring, summer and autumn she starts first turn of the key, but when it gets around -2 or -3, starting in the morning is not possible. I turn the key, usual dash lights come on, nothing from starter. SOMTIMES, if its not too cold, she will start as the key returns to the first position. If its really cold, nothing at all. As the day warms up, sun gets on the car, she'll start. SOMTIMES if I rock the car in gear it will start. This led me to think it was the starter motor, but I had that changed last week, then this morning she was dead again, so probably not the starter. She was in the garage for two nights last week for him to diagnose, but as usual sods law said it was not cold enough and she behaved perfectly. If I park tight up to the house to get some warmth overnight, there is more chance of starting. Is there a relay in the starting circuit that could be freezing, and if so where is it? Is the solonoid part of the starter and would it have been replaced with the new motor, could it be freezing up? Any help or thoughts would be very welcome because even though my boss is very good about me being late in the winter, his patience only goes so far! Cheers Paul