Strange one for you

Twice in 2 weeks during really cold snaps, my vrs has acted strange, go outside and its all frozen up, jump in, start it up and turn heater on. Return after 20 mins, car all warm and defrosted, but most if the dash warning lights are on, powersteering doesn't work, and things are beeping at me, when I switch the car off, and go torestart, nothing, everything works, heater fan, wipers, fuelp pump, but no engine turn over, bump start it and its fine, no lights on or beeps! It can't be the battery, or it wouldnt have started originally!

Help!!!!!!!!

Sorry, but it sounds exactly like the battery.

In the past cold bits, the battery is providing power to start & it gets drained. Short sharp discharge. ie CCA.

While running the alternator is trying to recharge the battery

& also provide power for lights, heater, radio.

In a short journey or running, the battery may still be low before stopping the engine again.

Next time, same thing.

next again, and the battery is staying below full charge.

Maybe best to Trickle charge the Battery from a charger.

If not doing long enough runs.

Starting a diesel requires a battery with a good CCA, (Cold Crank Amps.)

& then the battery needs a chance to recharge.

(Sometimes its best to start the car, let it start to warm the engine & the thermostat open when the coolant is up to heat,

then open the heater & there is heat to come out.

Running the Heater with cold coolant is just more drain on the battery,

when the Low Battery would be better getting re-charged. JMO)

Winter time can equal flat batteries.

All the best.

george

But it starts no problem originally, not slow/stiff to turn over, same as every other time, I'm not ruling out that its the battery, I'm just not convinced, surely it would act the same after being parked up all day, in the same cold temp, but it doesn't

Best Charge the Battery then,

First maybe,

Try a Jump Lead Start from another running engined vehicle,

just to see how easily it might start with a good CCA available.

(You can always switch on lights before starting a vehicle

& really get a quick idea of a batteries condition and state of charge being held)

Have you drained or replaced the inline fuel filter in case any moisture in is freezing.?

These are just ideas for Free & Easy/quick checks before searching out faults.

george

Sounds exactly like the battery on the way out to me. Leaving the car to warm up will be drawing more power from the battery than it's getting.

Eidt, sk4gw's response is perfect IMO

Battery or alternator

changeed my alternator and still had the problem, so changed the battery! all sorted BISH BASH BOSH! S5 BOSCH BATTERY! do it!

Edited 11 December, 201213 yr by Ryy.P