Well lads, it seems my '99 octavia 90bhp tdi likes to act up when it get cold out.

132k miles and always serviced every 5k.

When starting from cold, I turn the key and it struggles to turn over for a split second then turns for a few seconds and starts. Sometimes the clocks go blank for that second and clears it memory. sound like a weak battery eh? well the battery is brand new.

A new starter went in a year ago but using the old solenoid. The glow plugs were replaced at that time also.

Also, even when the car is fully warm it takes a few turns before it fires up. it turns over quickly though. is something worn?

Any ideas lads cause I want a dependable car for the winter.

Cheers

Not meaning to ask the obvious, but is the battery fully charged? Does the battery light go out when it fires up?

Not meaning to ask the obvious, but is the battery fully charged? Does the battery light go out when it fires up?

Yeah the light goes out and it is getting charged. it reads 14.7volts with the engine running and 12.41v with the engine off.

After 3 start up and only short drives in between, it wouldnt start again! turned slowly to a stop, dead battery. Would it be that the engine has gotton harder to start and is taking its toll on the battery?

Even on a good day, its seems to turn over a few seconds longer than it used to before it will fire.

Wotcha think??

Hmmm.

Must admit, it does sound like a foobared battery, but it's new. Voltages sound good too, so it's charging properly too.

Have you checked to see if the cables going from the battery and the starter are solid and not corroded or anything? Possibly a loose earth strap from the engine to the body?

Having said that, a loose engine earth shouldn't cause the clocks to reset. Could be the earth strap from the battery to the car body though, a high resistance connection will cause a big volt drop.

Hmmm.

Must admit, it does sound like a foobared battery, but it's new. Voltages sound good too, so it's charging properly too.

Have you checked to see if the cables going from the battery and the starter are solid and not corroded or anything? Possibly a loose earth strap from the engine to the body?

Having said that, a loose engine earth shouldn't cause the clocks to reset. Could be the earth strap from the battery to the car body though, a high resistance connection will cause a big volt drop.

I like your train of thought

Havn't checked the connections or earths. I think ill run extra zeros straight from the battery to the body and starter. I have a new solenoid for the starter so ill stick that in too.

Cheers.

Cool,

let us know how it goes. We'll get the old girl going... -

Hey Dave,

How's the starting panning out? Dd you manage to get it sorted?

Mine has similar problems, less the clocks going blank... Mine turns over fast enough when hot but doesn't like to start but when it's cold it turns over quite slowly and eventually fires. Mine has also had a new batttery and I have cleaned up the connectors to the starter and battery. Maybe it's because our cars are getting on a bit and are just not as lively as they used to be. Mine has 164,500 miles on the clock.

Andy, I think you may be right. Maybe the starter is getting tired and not cranking as hard as it used to.

Sluggish start when warm might be a stuck anti-shudder valve. This used to happen to mine if I say stopped to fill up with a tank of diesel after a 60 mile drive back from work. I popped off the EGR assembly and gave all a good clean.

Edited 23 November, 200916 yr by mbames