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Well cold weather is here and car aint starting.

Wouldnt start other morning @ 5 deg, 3 tries and battery went flat. Called out RAC, jump started. tested battery all ok, tested charging all ok. RAC man put tester in circuit and found small drain on battery, turned out to be boot interior staying on- removed bulb and all ok.
Next morning same thing, finally started on 3rd and last turn.
Picked up and changed glow plugs next day - all ok for next few days.
Colder weather back and not starting again - did suspect relay controling glow plugs but think its working.

1.Turn key, ignition lights on, hear fuel pump, glow plug light on for 1 sec approx, glow plug light off, hear fuel pump wirrrr off, leave for another 20 sec and hear a click from engine bay.

Thing that is getting me is three tries at starting car flattens battery, its like something on starting circuit is draining battery while turning engine.
RAC insist battery is pushing ou 14+v and charging at 450ah (something like that).
Any ideas as getting annoying now.
How long is glow plug light meant to stay on for?
And why is it only below 7 deg that is wont start?

I really must learn more about diesels

Hi matey, have a look at this found by sollyboy on here the other day.

viewtopic.php?t=1731

There is some interesting stuff about the preheat circuit for this engine and loads of other stuff, it might give you some ideas.

Although I can't actually pin point the fault it does sound like the pre heater circuit.


Welts.

Good find that man. Printed out for future ref.
But only confirms what i thought, glow plugs staying on for 1 sec, then timing out if not try to start after 10 - 20 secs.
Need to locate pre heat control unit - any ideas to location? Looks like relay between terminals 1 + 3 makes supply circuit to glow plugs. So if check between terminals 6 + 7 will see if and for how long glow plugs are working for.
Gets multimeter out and goes hunting.
Cheers Welly & Sollyboy for good find

Try turning the ignition on 3 times before turning over. Will definitely point to the glow plugs if it starts every time this way.

Captain Jack wrote:Try turning the ignition on 3 times before turning over. Will definitely point to the glow plugs if it starts every time this way.

Try telling my missus that last week she turned on the ignition on the BM, waited for the ''curly light'' to go out, then went back inside the house, back to the car and just turned the starter no re-heat I have NEVER seen so much white, grey, black, blue smoke in my life, I thought it was a gonner.

Use a piece opf wire to short the battery + terminal directly to the glow plug feed wire. if this cures the problems then the fault lies with the pre heat system somehwere.

My glow plug lamp illuminates only for a split second, even in the coldest weather.

Check also fuel filter is clean/bled etc, and no fuel/air loeaks any where in the various systems.

Welton wrote:

Captain Jack wrote:Try turning the ignition on 3 times before turning over. Will definitely point to the glow plugs if it starts every time this way.

Try telling my missus that last week she turned on the ignition on the BM, waited for the ''curly light'' to go out, then went back inside the house, back to the car and just turned the starter no re-heat I have NEVER seen so much white, grey, black, blue smoke in my life, I thought it was a gonner.

Can you actually damage the car without a pre-heat though? My pre-heat light stays on for five seconds (and always has done) but I normally turn over after 3 (cos I am impatient) and it seems fine....