2001 VW Beetle Diesel - Hard Starts
Greg Wilkerson
2001 Beetle TDI - 80k miles
Question for you all. My Beetle is hard to start once the temperature
get down below say 50F. By hard, I have to keep the starter engaged
quite a bit long, probably like 10 seconds. I have a history of
diesel ownership and this is the first one where I don't notice the
glow light on the dash staying on longer when the temperature drops
(which I find odd).
Anyway, my initial thoughts turn to the glow plugs not getting hot
enough. My other thoughts are maybe the starter isn't turning the
engine fast enough to build up compression.
I've tried cycle the start switch three or four times, in an attempt
to heat the glow plugs up more, and then engage the starter, but that
doesn't seem to make much difference. I don't know if the glow plug
dash light is a true indicator of glow heat. The glow light in the
Meredes I used to own would stay on for 15 seconds or better when it
was cold.
I don't want to burn up the starter and don't know what the duty cycle
of that would be.
The engine has, and always has been serviced with synthetic oil. I
thought that stuff wasn't supposed to thicken up like regular oil when
it's cold.
I guess as a testiment to the battery, it is the original battery.
The battery has given me no problems, but does drag a little when it's
cold. It might be time for a new battery.
My guess are either glow plugs, battery or this new low-sulphur diesel
fuel.
Finally, I have NO troubles with any of this when the termperature is
above 50 F or so.
Anyway, any suggestions would be appreciated.
Greg
Joseph Meehan
NB Diesel just to avoid problems. I suggest you do the same.
Note: above 40F the glow plugs don't even come on. The light comes on
now just to tell you that the light is working. When it gets really cold
(like sub zero) you may notice it staying on a little longer, but modern
glow plugs heat up very quickly so they don't stay on as long as the older
ones did.
"Greg Wilkerson" <Wilke...@gmail.com> wrote in message
news:86ea5bfa-96c7-40f3...@r60g2000hsc.googlegroups.com...
--
Joseph Meehan
Dia 's Muire duit
Jim Behning
I live in warm Atlanta. Actually I guess I have used them a few times
but pretty rare. I did put a new battery in my 2003 as it was starting
to spin slow at 40 F.
Igel
when the Temp is -5degress C. The Glow-plugs will not glow if the ambient
is above that. It works once a few Years back at a early Morning when here
in Hong Kong was exceptionally cold.
"Jim Behning" <jimbe...@doesthisblockpork.mindspring.com> wrote in message
news:2mqmk314pfhv62vbm...@4ax.com...
Jim Behning
the engine is cold the warning light comes on when the ignition switch
is turned to the drive position (ignition on). When the lamp goes out
, start the engine.When the engine is warm the light does not come
on." No mention of temperature. Probably like the idiot temp guage
that shows 190 for a range of actual engine temps.
I do not see that much cold weather that I seem to always just hit the
starter and go. Sometimes the car putters a bit while running on a few
cylinders but the rest catch up soon enough. Bad me!
Greg Wilkerson
<jimbehn...@doesthisblockpork.mindspring.com> wrote:
> I was being silly. I did open the manual for my 2003. It states "When
> the engine is cold the warning light comes on when the ignition switch
> is turned to the drive position (ignition on). When the lamp goes out
> , start the engine.When the engine is warm the light does not come
> on." No mention of temperature. Probably like the idiot temp guage
> that shows 190 for a range of actual engine temps.
>
> I do not see that much cold weather that I seem to always just hit the
> starter and go. Sometimes the car putters a bit while running on a few
> cylinders but the rest catch up soon enough. Bad me!
>
>
>
> On Tue, 27 Nov 2007 09:49:17 +0800, "Igel" <mickey...@msn.com> wrote:
> >The Handbook of my 1997 T4 TDi states that the Glow-plugs will be in Action
> >when the Temp is -5degress C. The Glow-plugs will not glow if the ambient
> >is above that. It works once a few Years back at a early Morning when here
> >in Hong Kong was exceptionally cold.
>
> >news:2mqmk314pfhv62vbm...@4ax.com...
> >> The tdi has glow plugs? Can't say that I recall seeing that light but
> >> I live in warm Atlanta. Actually I guess I have used them a few times
> >> but pretty rare. I did put a new battery in my 2003 as it was starting
> >> to spin slow at 40 F.
>
> >> On Mon, 26 Nov 2007 15:09:57 -0500, "Joseph Meehan"
> >> <sligoNoSPAM...@hotmail.com> wrote:
>
> >>> Your battery is past due for replacement. I just replaced my on my
> >>> 2002
> >>>NB Diesel just to avoid problems. I suggest you do the same.
>
> >>> Note: above 40F the glow plugs don't even come on. The light comes on
> >>>now just to tell you that the light is working. When it gets really cold
> >>>(like sub zero) you may notice it staying on a little longer, but modern
> >>>glow plugs heat up very quickly so they don't stay on as long as the older
> >>>ones did.
>
>
> - Show quoted text -
Hey Jim,
You're fine. The more I think about it, the more I think it's
probably the compression and a weak battery. I'm going to plug into
the car with my computer and see if that tells me anything. I
replaced all the glow plugs three or four years ago because one went
bad and I remember the computer telling me which one was bad (pretty
cool stuff for us non- gear head types).
I see a battery in my future. We'll see.
Greg
Lost In Space/Woodchuck
1- glows plugs don't activate until under 50*F
2- must crank 300+ RPM when cold- see below
3- 6 yr old battery got to be weak. replace it
4- fuel filter replace yearly or 20,000 miles
5- EGR valve gummed up- remove and clean.
6-intake may also be gummed up
7-compression not usually a issue other than from #4
"Greg Wilkerson" <Wilke...@gmail.com> wrote in message
news:86ea5bfa-96c7-40f3...@r60g2000hsc.googlegroups.com...
>
none2u
the dealer told me that. They start warming while you are getting in the
car. Which is why they don't seem to take as long as older non door handle
glow plugs.
"Lost In Space/Woodchuck" <webp...@wildblue.net> wrote in message
news:L333j.131$dk.1...@news.sisna.com...
Jim Behning
your car in your garage with the windows down. Turn key in ignition
without opening door to time glowplug light.
On Wed, 28 Nov 2007 03:39:13 -0500, "none2u" <non...@notrealatall.bye>
wrote:
none2u
>>controlled by the ECU. When the "ignition" switch is turned "on" and the
>>coolant temperature is below 9 degrees C, the glow plugs operate for a
>>time which depends on the measured coolant temperature (i.e. about 10
>>seconds at -10 degrees C). The glow plug indication lamp on the instrument
>>panel is an indication to the driver - "please wait". When this light goes
>>off, the engine may be started. After it starts, the glow plugs operate
>>for a period of time with the engine running, at engine speeds below 2500
>>rpm, in order to reduce emissions and improve engine operation during this
>>time period. The glow plug indicator lamp does not operate during this
>>stage.
In addition, some models have glow plugs in the coolant, to make the engine
warm up faster, and to provide some heat to the passenger compartment
sooner. These glow plugs operate for a period of time after the engine
starts (without the glow plug indicator lamp).
Some may be under the impression that the glow plugs begin operating when
the driver's door is opened. This is an "urban myth". The glow plugs do not
operate until the key is turned "on".
Peter Parker
It sounds like your Glow Plug relay is not working since you are not having
problems above 50 deg F. If your starting is turning over your engine for
10 seconds, your battery must still have some juice for it's age.
--
Jeeps and dubs and everything's nice...