starting my 406 hdi - how to in the cold??

[pugface406lx]

Hello can anyone help...Im having real trouble getting my 406HDI started on these really really cold mornings.....tried this morning by switching ignition on/off on/off repeatedly to get glow plugs hot but it wont have it...coughed and almost caught but wouldnt start up...is it the diesel froze/thickening in this extreme cold or is it something else thats the problem guys. It was fine until we got these 'arctic' conditions! Any ideas or tips please?

Cheers
Pugface

[omega]

giving it 2or 3 lots of heat will help,it was -13 today and my 2.1 started first time

[steve_earwig]

The glowplugs will still be going after the light's gone out, I read you can hear the relay going off but I've never heard it, I just leave it until the lift pump stops going. How old are your glowplugs? Is your battery coping?

[Welly]

An HDi shouldn't be difficult to start and even the glow plugs don't have that much of a roll to play.

I'd be checking the lift pump in the fuel tank. When you switch the ignition on can you hear a low grumbly sound from under the back seat? if it sounds like an old jack-hammer then it's struggling to send fuel up to the engine it should sound sweet and buzzy.

If your battery is low then you'll likely get a warning on the MFD saying ELECTRONIC IGNITION FAULT whilst cranking the engine (mine did that on a bad battery).

[steve_earwig]

Mine said there was something up with my brakes

A couple of times mine's kind of started, stalled and started while I've had the key turned. I changed the glowplugs (well, ok, Mika changed them ) but it still did it, but since I've been leaving it until the pump stops it's not done it.

[Jimblob]

My experience was that my car would start much more easily 1st thing if you put your foot down on the accellerator whilst trying to start it.
Try this.
Also my car would get very upset if you didn't let it warm up properly (10 mins or so) before turning it off and restarting again.

[pugface406lx]

A mobile mechanic came over today to have a look and found that 0 out of 4 glowplugs actually worked....!! Replaced 'em all and hey presto it's ok now!...
I didnt know they were a consumable item but have learned a lesson now...check em guys as he said they do go down regularly ...about 30k he says is the good life in them!

Cheers again
pugface

[Doggy]

Really?

I've never changed one. My old Hdi 90 did 185k on the originals, this one's on 145k.

[Welly]

That is strange, it's not something we ever discuss on here

[steve_earwig]

I reckon 30k is hogswill

[plod]

Consumable item on a standard diesel, yes, but not on a hdi

[Gary406]

giving it 2or 3 lots of heat will help,it was -13 today and my 2.1 started first time

-8 here and mine fires as soon as i turn key dont even need revs ,

[pugnut]

I have the same problem. Over thirty cranks before the ol' gal fired up this morning. First thought was the battery. Sixty five English pounds later and not a ha'porth of difference (oh well, got a spare for emergencies now).
Change the glow plugs you say?
Oh whats that? Don't change the glow plugs now is it???
Listen for the pump (cant hear a feckin' thing!!!)

Confused.
Depressed.

Heeeeeeeelllppppp!!!!!!!!

Oh and also I get an 'airbag defective' message come up whilst she is cranking over.

[Doggy]

What's the cranking speed like? Unless it's flying round, check the following:

If you're able, measure the battery voltage while cranking, then check if it's the same at the starter. (Difficult to be conclusive as the battery will give less each time, but look for the difference between the two readings).

If you get more than say 10% less at the starter, you have bad connection(s) somewhere in the heavy power cables or earth leads. If they're broadly the same and the starter's slow with a new battery, it's probably the motor.

(It's not unusual for the battery to drop to 6V or less while powering the starter).

[pugnut]

Ok, so I sit comfortably before I insert the key. wait for peace and quiet. Key in ignition and turn, wait for it, I'm supposed to be able to hear the lift pump. Ahhhh!!! Yes!!

I hear a "vrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrb" then nothing. (That must be it!)

Here goes then.

(It's 3ºC) - positively balmy all things considered.

Eight cranks - VVVVRRRROOOOOOOOOMMMMMM chug chug chug chug chug etc etc etc...

I love this forum!!!!!