I have had my 2012 VRS tdi for 2 months now and on cold mornings it is starting a bit lumpy.

 

I have noticed the glow plug light quickly goes off when I turn the ignition on and then when I fire the car up it stays on for 5-10 seconds solidly. It's not flashing. The car runs lumpy for 10 seconds and then settles.

 

No codes on VCDS.

 

I have tried ignition on and off a couple of times, doesn't seem to make a difference.

 

It cranks slowly if I leave the car standing for a couple of days in the cold.

 

Could it be the battery? Is there anything else I can check in VCDS?

 

2 hours ago, bluevrsman said:

I have noticed the glow plug light quickly goes off when I turn the ignition on and then when I fire the car up it stays on for 5-10 seconds solidly. It's not flashing. The car runs lumpy for 10 seconds and then settles.

Ok, this is critical. Do you put your seatbelt on after the ignition and before keying the starter?

43 minutes ago, Paws4Thot said:

Ok, this is critical. Do you put your seatbelt on after the ignition and before keying the starter?

Nope never. 

 

I always jump in, turn it on and then get out of the car and load the boot up.

Edited 12 February, 20251 yr by bluevrsman

36 minutes ago, bluevrsman said:

Nope never. 

 

I always jump in, turn it on and then get out of the car and load the boot up.

Ah, it will start better if you switch on, put your seatbelt on, and then key the starter.

1 minute ago, Paws4Thot said:

Ah, it will start better if you switch on, put your seatbelt on, and then key the starter.

That's crazy. I'll give it a go.

 

So the seatbelt is a pre-req for the glow plugs?

 

I thought on the CR engines as soon as you unlocked the doors the plugs started to heat up if the outdoor temp was below a certain threshold?

2 minutes ago, bluevrsman said:

That's crazy. I'll give it a go.

 

So the seatbelt is a pre-req for the glow plugs?

Ah, you misunderstand. The seatbelt is to give the glowplugs a few seconds before you key the ignition. It may not work, but at least it's free.

3 minutes ago, Paws4Thot said:

Ah, you misunderstand. The seatbelt is to give the glowplugs a few seconds before you key the ignition. It may not work, but at least it's free.

Oh I see what you mean now😁

 

I have left it for 10 seconds. Ignition off. 10 seconds back on, fire it up, car shakes a little.

Edited 12 February, 20251 yr by bluevrsman

Will a VCDS check show all glow plug faults ? My previous diesel octavia would start rough if i cranked it before the glow plug light went out.