For a few weeks I've got a strange issue going on with my 1.9tdi Octavia 2. I get in it in the morning, rotate the key, lights turn on, radio, all normal, I rotate it again to start the engine - nothing. Not even the slightest attempt to rotate, it's doing absolutely nothing for a few seconds. Sometimes just 1-2 seconds, sometimes up to like 10 seconds of nothingness. After this delay, the starter kicks in and the engine starts instantly.

 

The battery was changed about a year ago and it's in good shape, always charged. There's no 'failed' starter attempt as in hearing it slowly start to turn over or something similar so I don't think the starter is at fault either, since after the delay it just starts instantly. I'm thinking it's some sort of electrical issue but nobody knows where to start diagnosing something like this, so I'm praying that other octavia owners encountered the same issue.

If it is very cold, it could be glowplugs?

51 minutes ago, Stonekeeper said:

If it is very cold, it could be glowplugs?

The issue happens when it's warmer outside too, 10-20 celsius, but it does only happen at the first start up - when the engine is warm, no delay, so you might be right

 

Next week I'll try getting a diagnose read but until then I'm open to more suggestions.

I have a 1.9tdi that I know two glow plugs are failed/failing but it turns over instantly before the glow plug symbol disapears. In cold weather its a bit lumpy for about 15 secs till it warms up. Might be as simple as a failing ignition switch or starter relay. Think its in fuse box in engine bay or under dash . Check the terminals for corosion and maybe replace it.

Alasdair

The starter motor is not inhibited during the glowplug warm up time.

Check the connections to starter for corosion and earth straps etc. If the starter is running slow then either lack of current or perhaps coils in starter failing.

Alasdair

Could be worn brushes in the starter motor? or the solenoid not moving far enough to engage the starter contacts? or worn contacts? 

Changing the starter motor and solenoid may be the quick solution.

 

 

 

Edited 10 February, 20251 yr by pikpilot

I just made a recording that should show the issue better. -6 degrees outside, cold engine (came home ~8 hours before the recording). I let the key in the ignition for ~10 seconds before starting the recording.

You can hear at 0:11 how I twist the key.. few seconds.. 0:13 starter kicks in, instantly turns on the engine. Then, second startup, instant

So the battery isn't weak, the starter doesn't have any signs of failing - after the first startup the delay is gone until the engine is cold again, my best bet is something glowplug related?

 

 

Could be a sticking solanoid. If sitting for a while especially when cold it could stick/jam and then release after a few secs. Once free it may start ok then seize up again after sitting for a while. Had one on an old merc van that did this and eventually didn't  operate enough to hit the starter contacts. Was worse in cold weather as it had water ingress which froe. New solanoid and it was good for years. Could also be worn contacts in the starter itself.

Alasdair