Poor Starting - Quick Flash Glow Plug Light

[Foghorn]

Poor starting on the 2001. New glow plugs fitted in last 12 months but from cold car takes several cranks to fire and runs rough thereafter for several minutes.

I have noticed that the glow plug light is only coming on for a fraction of a second instead of the 'standard' time. Checked and replaced the heater relay but still no improvement.

Any suggestion chaps?

 

[spike]

Have you changed the fuel filter recently? A couple of club members had problems with pattern filters possibly due to internal leaks resulting in loss of fuel system prime - the longer the car stansd, the worse it gets.
Other possibility is a faulty camshaft position sensor. This identifies the correct firing stroke for injection and if it fails the engine defaults to signals from the crankshaft speed sensor. Only snag is the engine needs a few revoloutions to work out the correct injection timing. A diagnostic scan should identify this problem but not the fuel related one.

Cheers Spike

 

[Foghorn]

Thanks Spike yes the fuel filter was changed some time ago (non - OEM) but the main issue is why the glow plug light only lights up for 0.5s before going out? Normal to expect several seconds to confirm plug warming.

Glow plugs were changed approx 12 months ago, tested and work fine.

 

[spike]

but the main issue is why the glow plug light only lights up for 0.5s before going out? Normal to expect several seconds to confirm plug warming.

Glow plugs were changed approx 12 months ago, tested and work fine.

Thought the main issue would be that it doesn't start very well.
As you probably know, glow plug duration depends on coolant and air temps. In the current warmish weather the lamp on my TDi goes out almost instantly so you may be barking up the wrong tree.

Cheers Spike