Car taking long to start possible glow plugs now battery flat

Hello guys,
I have had the "key in ignition" come up for a while now which I have just learned keeps the BECM awake. The car takes very long to start I have to give the glow plugs about 5 shots and then it takes around 10 seconds to start up. I didnt drive it for about 3 days and went to start her and it appears that the battery is flat and throwing up traction control faults. I have since recharged the battery and am about to try and start her. Can anyone advise on this problem?

Thank You
Luke

Lubricate the ignition barrel with graphite powder or a lock cleaner that doesn't leave a residue behind. It's the wee door that you can see closing as you remove the key sticking that triggers the 'key in' warning.
Replace your glow plugs, it's no more difficult than changing spark plugs in a petrol engine. Buy decent ones (OEM is Delphi) as the engine doesn't like cheap crap.

PS the car is now dead displaying gearbox fault and engine disabled and when I lock it the rear doors are just clicking constantly. I have called the rac maybe they can jump start me and test the battery...

dogsbody said:

Lubricate the ignition barrel with graphite powder or a lock cleaner that doesn't leave a residue behind. It's the wee door that you can see closing as you remove the key sticking that triggers the 'key in' warning.
Replace your glow plugs, it's no more difficult than changing spark plugs in a petrol engine. Buy decent ones (OEM is Delphi) as the engine doesn't like cheap crap.

Click to expand...

Thanks Dogs Body, I will get some as soon as possible. hopefully the rac can bring her back to life

lgreen88095 said:

PS the car is now dead displaying gearbox fault and engine disabled and when I lock it the rear doors are just clicking constantly. I have called the rac maybe they can jump start me and test the battery...

Click to expand...

Don't worry too much about any faults that appear whilst the battery is low. Most will just vanish once you've got some decent voltage. Those that don't might need plugging into diagnostics but until you've got a decent, stable electrical supply there's little point in worrying about anything else.

dogsbody said:

Don't worry too much about any faults that appear whilst the battery is low. Most will just vanish once you've got some decent voltage. Those that don't might need plugging into diagnostics but until you've got a decent, stable electrical supply there's little point in worrying about anything else.

Click to expand...

thank you mate