Diesel starting problems!!

[greg123]

I'd measure the voltage at the starter motor ground, supply 12v and switched 12v. If all are similar to battery voltages during cranking and the battery is known to be good, a new starter motor should solve the issue. There is a slim chance that your injection timing is so far advanced it's kicking the engine back, have you checked the ip pump timing? Alternatively disconnect the IP elec connection and crank it, if it cranks fast that could be the issue. Slim though like I say.

Greg.

[robgraham]

I really don't think the starter motor nor battery is an issue, but I am now wondering about the timing as the local garage fitted a new timing belt last November and they did have some problem with a new style jockey wheel.

It is just a possibility which would seem to be masked by the heaters functioning through the winter, such that it wouldn't become apparant till this past summer.

Thanks for the idea, even if it was thrown in in passing.

Rob

[KiNeL]

I have a similar starting problem to that being discussed here.

Now the weather has turned a bit colder in the mornings the car, an 03 1.9Tdi Ambiente Estate, is starting badly.

For want of a better description I have to "churn it up" on the key for maybe 3 or 4 seconds. It always fires first touch but if you let the key go as you would normally it just stops. Once it starts there are no running problems. There is a bit of smoke but probably nothing I would neccessarily comment on if it were not for the starting problem.

It has 72k on it (km that is, I'm in France) and was dealer serviced at 60k before I bought it in October. I subsequently had a new cam belt fitted as it was due on age if not mileage and hadn't been done at the service.

The guy who did the cam belt for me is an independent VW specialist who builds successful race engines so I have no reason to question that the job was done properly.

Performance and fuel consumption are fine. I'm currently averaging 5.8l/100km in mixed driving (that's 56mpg in Sterling ). I tow a 1700kg box trailer with it and believe me I would know in an instant if it were under par.

Exactly how much difference would a cam belt mis-time make, surely it would be obvious would it not ?

[Basil]

Few random thoughts (I'm tired atm..):

you can vary the amount of fuel put in by the injectors by adjusting channel 5 of the Engine module. see Ross-Tech: VAG-COM: TDI VAG-COM Info

drop the number by 200 (increase startup fuelling) and see if that helps...

Also if a fuel filter change is due - perhaps that should be done.

That can help - but really a proper scan and proper professional inspection should be done.....