320d starting problem.

Clarkey · 26 Aug 2010 at 00:00

I made a post about this one before, it wouldn't start at all, hooked up some jump leads and it started right away, and never caused a problem since.

Anyway, last week it started to not start first time. I didn't even bother to try it myself, just fitted a new battery given what happened before.
The problem is still there though. First time you turn the key it will crank for as long as you care to hold the key and will not fire. Turn it off and try again and it will start straight away, once started there are no running problems at all, and it will start fine until its left to go cold again.

Ideas welcome!

Maz · 26 Aug 2010 at 02:48

Glow Plugs?

Are you getting a lot of smoke on start up?

chumpit · 26 Aug 2010 at 06:48

imbolisher not disengaging

Scania · 26 Aug 2010 at 07:09

My old Mondeo TD used to do this, it was the glowplugs.

That said, my Mondeo did not have an immobiliser.

paradigm · 26 Aug 2010 at 08:00

Does indeed sound like plugs are on the way out/some are already dead. So the time taken for pre-heat will be longer.

Clarkey · 26 Aug 2010 at 10:58

I didn't think the glow plugs were activated at summer time temperatures. Worth investigating though I guess.

paradigm · 26 Aug 2010 at 10:59

Clarkey said:
I didn't think the glow plugs were activated at summer time temperatures. Worth investigating though I guess.

Our "summer" isn't exactly awash with "OMG hot" days

Scania · 26 Aug 2010 at 11:00

Clarkey said:
I didn't think the glow plugs were activated at summer time temperatures. Worth investigating though I guess.

Summer time temperatures? Could have fooled me.

I think summer came & went back in June....

Clarkey · 26 Aug 2010 at 11:05

paradigm said:
Our "summer" isn't exactly awash with "OMG hot" days

No, but I was under the impression that the trigger temp was quite low like 5C.

MikeHiow · 26 Aug 2010 at 11:07

Can't speak for the BMWs, but the Vauxhall dervs don't heat the glow plugs unless its under 3˚c

mjt · 26 Aug 2010 at 20:02

Are you waiting for the pre-heat light to go out before cranking?

*Moangroan* · 26 Aug 2010 at 20:14

MikeHiow said:
Can't speak for the BMWs, but the Vauxhall dervs don't heat the glow plugs unless its under 3˚c

same for vw

Clarkey · 30 Aug 2010 at 21:48

So, this turned out to be a sticking relay to the pre supply fuel pump. Swapped it out, no more problem.