So I've just joined Fabia VRS (mk1 tdi) ownership and can say that I have never had so many smiles per mile, these little cars are fab.......

 

The car runs perfect but has started to be troublesome to start. The engine turns over ok on the starter but takes time to catch, I have fitted new glow plugs but this has not improved the starting at all.

 

I also drive a VW T4 and when I start this the glow plug light comes on for between 5 and 10 seconds depending upon the outside temperature, once it goes out I start it no problem, now with my VRS the glow plug light only stays on for a second or less then goes off - if you blink you miss it

 

So how long do your glow plug lights stay on for and have you noticed they stay on for longer in the colder weather ?

 

Thanks in advance.

Depends just how cold it is for me. Not usually longer than maybe 5 seconds and that's on a really cold day. Usually it flashes on and off like you said and starts no problem

Get the car read for fault codes as a dodgy crank sensor and other things could effect starting

Depends just how cold it is for me. Not usually longer than maybe 5 seconds and that's on a really cold day. Usually it flashes on and off like you said and starts no problem

Get the car read for fault codes as a dodgy crank sensor and other things could effect starting

+1  also it may be the timer/control unit or temp sender (I think there's two or may be twin)    there is also some reduced "power level"  which continues after starting (if it runs  a bit raggy when cold)

Thanks, I was thinking glow plugs only because it always starts OK when warm. It always runs fine once started.

2 or 3 seconds.

 

In this sort of weather it's quite likely to fire up on 2 and the other 2 join in after 2 or 3 seconds "running" so I know the glow plugs are not great.

2 or 3 seconds

About a second for me. I do live near the coast though so temps don't really get that low in the winter.

Blink and it's off

I'm still having problems starting and am trying to make sure that the glow plug relay is operating correctly. I read on another post on here that the haynes manual suggests removing the plug from the temperature sensor and I presume then that the glow plugs would come on and stay on ?

 

I have pulled off the plug and it makes no difference ?

 

Has anyone got a haynes manual and can have a look and see exactly what it says ?

Oh yes and forgot to say - I've checked for fault codes and there are none.

I'm still having problems starting and am trying to make sure that the glow plug relay is operating correctly. I read on another post on here that the haynes manual suggests removing the plug from the temperature sensor and I presume then that the glow plugs would come on and stay on ?

 

I have pulled off the plug and it makes no difference ?

 

Has anyone got a haynes manual and can have a look and see exactly what it says ?

 If you unplug the coolant temp sensor they will stay on for the maximum amount of time which could be 30 seconds maybe but it gives you chance to check you have 12V at each point in the loom to check everything is OK.

 

Would possibly be a good idea to check the coolant temp with VCDS with a cold engine to verify that the coolant temp sensor is reading ambient to verify its not giving spurious readings

Edited 8 November, 20169 yr by SuperbTWM

I always turn the key but wait ten seconds until I go for ignition. Never seen the glowplug light after ignition.

Well, my "start procedure" is "get in, put on seat belt and depress clutch, turn key to 'on' and wait for BITE tests, then turn key to 'start' ". Engine normally fires in 1 or 2s, and may white smoke and misfire for 3 or 4 depending on air and engine temperatures. (with known poor glow plugs)

Thanks gents

 

It might not be the glow plugs it's just that when I fitted the new ones 2 weeks ago the next couple of starts were certainly much improved.

 

Yes VCDS is probably the way forward, however as I don't have that my next move is to put a direct supply onto the glow plugs, wait 5 seconds and see how it starts then.

 

The good thing is it's never failed to start, and runs perfect once it starts - it's just that 20 - 30 seconds cranking before it catches doesn't feel like it's doing it any good ?

I wonder if there is a problem with the plugs you fitted--it's all a bit vague but there was a change some years back (??????)    which caused some confusion at the time I think the voltages were lower so either under powered or possibility of short life     sorry it's wooly but worth some research may on BERU site or similar

Thanks gents

 

It might not be the glow plugs it's just that when I fitted the new ones 2 weeks ago the next couple of starts were certainly much improved.

 

Yes VCDS is probably the way forward, however as I don't have that my next move is to put a direct supply onto the glow plugs, wait 5 seconds and see how it starts then.

 

The good thing is it's never failed to start, and runs perfect once it starts - it's just that 20 - 30 seconds cranking before it catches doesn't feel like it's doing it any good ?

Sounds more of a fuelling issue to me like air is getting into the system and losing prime, it shouldn't take 20-30 seconds of cranking even without glow plugs in this climate.

Sounds more of a fuelling issue to me like air is getting into the system and losing prime, it shouldn't take 20-30 seconds of cranking even without glow plugs in this climate.

Thanks, any pointers how I can check for this ?

For starters you need check to all the fuel line connections. especially the the rubber ones in the engine bay on the fuel filter and where they connect to the tandem pump. Some filter styles have a thermostatic 'T' piece that clips onto the top of the fuel filter housing that is held by a clip, sometimes the 'o' rings can fail and cause problems also.

Ok the Fabia is still not starting very well but on the plus side the engine management light came on this morning so tonight I should be able to read the code and that might provide a clue.

 

Oh and I did find a fuel weep so pipe replaced and thanks SuperbTWM. I looked at the O rings on the filter T and will replace these when I can get some.

 

Regarding the glow plugs this is how mine work:

 

They come on for about 1 second as indicated by the glow plug light when you turn the ignition on, then to my surprise they come on during cranking of the engine and stay on for a couple of minutes once it has started.

 

I have tested mine both off the car and then plugged into the feeder rail so know that they all work perfectly.

 

More to follow..........

Just to join in - mine not more than 5s ,even when car iced up. I've had glow plug light flash, but it usually goes away after a few miles.

Got a bloke across the road, I've pointed to this site. He's also of the "miles for smiles" brigade, as I am. Never in my 50 years of motoring have I ever had a car ( even with so small an output) that gives me so much pleasure. ( And ****ed off so many who'd like to show badge snobbery).

Edited 14 November, 20169 yr by VWD

 

They come on for about 1 second as indicated by the glow plug light when you turn the ignition on, then to my surprise they come on during cranking of the engine and stay on for a couple of minutes once it has started.

 

I have tested mine both off the car and then plugged into the feeder rail so know that they all work perfectly.

 

More to follow..........

 Yes depending on coolant temperature they do stay on post cranking to aid the combustion and prevent smoky starts.

​both vrs and sdi lights go out almost immediately, even when we have had the frost.

​both vrs and sdi lights go out almost immediately, even when we have had the frost.

 

As stated above the glow plugs stay on much longer, the light is simply there to make you wait an appropriate time before cranking the engine. So the light is actually lit to control the idiot turning the key, not the glow plugs themselves, they're controlled by the ECU.