P38A 2.5 diesel starting from cold

tarphenry · Mar 16, 2018

Hi all,Having a small problem on cold stat ups. Changed heater plugs yesterday , an improvement but problem persists. as soon as you turn to start after heater plugs have gone off ,engine starts but not cleanly,it stutters for a second and then seems to clear itself an runs perfectly. the problem has only occurred in the last 7 days,previously it started on the button as clean as you like. Nanocom show no fault and it will start time after time once the first start has been done. I would appreciate any help you can give me .Thanks

tanis8472 · Mar 16, 2018

Have you got a cold start fix [little black box] fitted?

wammers · Mar 17, 2018

tanis8472 said:
Have you got a cold start fix [little black box] fitted?

You mean "Hot start fix" there is no such thing as a "Cold start fix".

wammers · Mar 17, 2018

tarphenry said:
Hi all,Having a small problem on cold stat ups. Changed heater plugs yesterday , an improvement but problem persists. as soon as you turn to start after heater plugs have gone off ,engine starts but not cleanly,it stutters for a second and then seems to clear itself an runs perfectly. the problem has only occurred in the last 7 days,previously it started on the button as clean as you like. Nanocom show no fault and it will start time after time once the first start has been done. I would appreciate any help you can give me .Thanks

How long does the glow lamp light for? Does it improve if you use two cycles of glow lamp. If so you may have a failing ECU temp sensor. Depending on engine temp glows could be on for four or five seconds and up to nine or ten seconds on very cold starts. Glow duration is controlled by engine ECU dependent on engine temp, as read by ECU temp sensor. Green one between cylinder three and four inlets.

Bantam1 · Mar 17, 2018

wammers said:
Glow duration is controlled by engine ECU dependent on engine temp, as read by ECU temp sensor.

Far too unnecessarily complex these things. my old 200Tdi didn't even need heater plugs.

tarphenry · Mar 17, 2018

No, I have not got a hot start kit fitted and the lamp stays lit for differing times I have checked it . It does not help if I give it more than 1 preheat cycle thanks

brianp38dse · Mar 17, 2018

Have you checked for air in the clear diesel pipe, you may have a leaking bleed off pipe, heat shrink or cable tie the ends helps.

tarphenry · Mar 17, 2018

Thanks, i will check that

wammers · Mar 17, 2018

tarphenry said:
Thanks, i will check that

It sounds as though one or two of your new plugs are not working or not receiving sufficient current to warm them. Each is individually supplied from the glow timer relay. Take it out and check all connections on it are good and not burned. If so clean up snug up connections and refit. Disconnect battery before playing in ECU box.

tarphenry · Mar 17, 2018

thanks for that ,i will check it when it stops snowing

Colthebrummie · Mar 17, 2018

I would have thought that if it starts but runs poorly for a few seconds it would not be the glow plugs or their sensor, if they were at fault it would have trouble starting at all surely.

Col

wammers · Mar 17, 2018

Colthebrummie said:
I would have thought that if it starts but runs poorly for a few seconds it would not be the glow plugs or their sensor, if they were at fault it would have trouble starting at all surely.

Col

I would think it was.

tanis8472 · Mar 17, 2018

wammers said:
You mean "Hot start fix" there is no such thing as a "Cold start fix".

Doh, yes thats what i meant

tarphenry · Mar 18, 2018

ordered new relay,it makes sense if its not the heater plugs. too cold today hopefully better when part arrives. will keep you informed.

kds · Mar 18, 2018

Just a thought, what make heater plugs ?

tarphenry · Mar 19, 2018

Beru, what else. i dont believe Carlsberg make them.

tarphenry · Mar 22, 2018

New relay arrived this afternoon, so all being well I shall fit it tomorrow. any tips? or is it a straight swap.

tanis8472 · Mar 22, 2018

Need to remove ecu, so remove/disconnect battery with key out of ignition

tarphenry · Mar 24, 2018

Fitted new relay cleaned all connections and........ no bloody difference the problem must be elsewhere?

EntropyUK · Mar 24, 2018

Did you check that all 6 of the plugs are getting power to them when the key is turned?

P38A 2.5 diesel starting from cold

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