[Markie]

Hi. My car developed a problem today. Normally from cold the engine coil light goes out after a second and the car starts. Today, twice from cold, the light goes off and comes back on when I turnover, thus stopping power gertibg to the starter motor. From warm it starts ok. Do I have a faulty sensor?

Thanks Mark

[xiziz]

First the obvoius: are you letting the coils finishing heating before turning the ignition, if so try letting the coils heat twice before turning the ignition(go back one notch and let the coils heat again).

Im guessing temps are about 5-10c over in england right now, should be a 3-5sec coil heat before the light goes out.

Could be a faulty sensor, if the light goes out to fast breaking the current to the coil heaters prematurly.

[Markie]

Hi thanks for the info. It was about 3 degrees this morning then 10 on the way home. It has never done this before. The light only stays on for about 2 seconds. If it is a sensor, do you know which one it could be,

[nzenigma]

light goes off and comes back on when I turnover, thus stopping power gertibg to the starter motor. From warm it starts ok.

  turnover what?? are you saying that the starter motor does not work?

as xiziz states, the glow plugs need longer heat up time in the cold. But, cold or hot, they don't inhibit the starter motor ..
Is your battery ok?

[tw2005]

light goes off and comes back on when I turnover, thus stopping power gertibg to the starter motor. From warm it starts ok.

  turnover what?? are you saying that the starter motor does not work?

as xiziz states, the glow plugs need longer heat up time in the cold. But, cold or hot, they don't inhibit the starter motor ..
Is your battery ok?

Ditto, I'm thinking also possible bad, dirty or corroded connections since it is cranking(turnover)

[Markie]

I believe the stater wont crank if there's not enough amps.

[xiziz]

I dont think there is a sensor on the coils, probably uses the ambient sensor and a look up table(in the computer) to determine the time needed to heat the coils. Is the ambient sensor accurate?

I feel two seconds is too little for 3c, about right for 10c though. So if the problem is on both, it might be something else. Im sure one of our resident mechanics will be along with some ideas shortly.

What oil is in the engine and what kind of oil if you know. When was the oil last replaced? Mileage of the car is also helpful. Im thinking it might be old/dirty oil since it seems to work once the oil is warm.

Although Ive never had a problem starting mine, even in -25, coils needed 17seconds then. And that was running 5w30(i now run 0w30) but it was new and I still have fairly low mileage on mine, 78k km atm.

PS. Battery is plausable too, as stated above - they loose power in the cold. And both coils and starter are energy hungry.

[Markie]

I'm using 5w30. Oil change was 2k ago and car dine 100k. The ambient sensor is showing the correct temperature.

[Paolo5]

Hi. My car developed a problem today. Normally from cold the engine coil light goes out after a second and the car starts. Today, twice from cold, the light goes off and comes back on when I turnover, thus stopping power gertibg to the starter motor. From warm it starts ok. Do I have a faulty sensor?

Thanks Mark

As asked by NZE...when the problem exists, does the starter turn the motor over at all? Or is there stoney-cold silence?

[Markie]

Silence but a clicking sound. A mechanic told me that if the car doesn't have enough amps the car won't suppy any power to the starter motor. I didn't have this problem last winter.

[nzenigma]

Paolo  thanks mate

Markie, your battery is probably stuffed. Last winter it was a year younger. During summer it will work better.

[beerman]

The change of season discovers many a battery. The diesel is very demanding so choose your replacement well.

[eye30]

Before you chaange battery ask for Drop Test.

That will tell if battery on it way out..... and if so change sooner rather than later as it will let you down when less convient.....

[nzenigma]

Before you chaange battery ask for Drop Test.

That will tell if battery on it way out..... .....

Thanks Lester  Just in case someone wants to DIY this, what height do you usually drop your battery from?

Here's a more complex drop-kick test using meters and stuff,  How to perform a VOLTAGE DROP TEST - YouTube

[Markie]

Hi guys. Found out my postive battery terminal was corroded. Cleaned it and the car starts great and seens to run better. Thanks for your help.

[Dazzler]

Hi guys. Found out my postive battery terminal was corroded. Cleaned it and the car starts great and seens to run better. Thanks for your help.

Excellent!   

[The Gonz]

Hi guys. Found out my postive battery terminal was corroded. Cleaned it and the car starts great and seens to run better. Thanks for your help.

I'd call that a win.

[xiziz]

Perfect, cheap n quick fixes are the best!

[beerman]

Before you chaange battery ask for Drop Test.

That will tell if battery on it way out..... and if so change sooner rather than later as it will let you down when less convient.....

Is that like a drop bear?

[nzenigma]

Before you chaange battery ask for Drop Test.

In the name of science_ THE DROP TEST



Up to 13volts  as it passed our 2nd floor window.

[tw2005]

Hi guys. Found out my postive battery terminal was corroded. Cleaned it and the car starts great and seens to run better. Thanks for your help.

Yep, always start with the simple stuff.

[The Gonz]

Before you chaange battery ask for Drop Test.

In the name of science_ THE DROP TEST



Up to 13volts  as it passed our 2nd floor window.

[mickd]

Before you chaange battery ask for Drop Test.

In the name of science_ THE DROP TEST



Up to 13volts  as it passed our 2nd floor window.

13 volts, not bad, bet it dropped away real quick from tbere though   

[nzenigma]

Before you chaange battery ask for Drop Test.

In the name of science_ THE DROP TEST



Up to 13volts  as it passed our 2nd floor window.

13 volts, not bad, bet it dropped away real quick from tbere though   

Yep. sadly only 5 volts during the 1st floor rebound. 

[The Gonz]

But isn't it obvious the drop test would result in a dead short to earth?

[nzenigma]

 

But isn't it obvious the drop test would result in a dead short to earth?

Only in the light of day.....but that broke too.

[tw2005]

But isn't it obvious the drop test would result in a dead short to earth?

You are the king of the one liners, Amazing