scimitar Posted December 7, 2012 Report Share Posted December 7, 2012 The last few days my car (diesel) wont start on a cold morning. But leave it until later in the day it starts no bother. Battery is brand new and been tested. In the mornings I have to jump start it and it kicks over straight away. It just seems like I need a bit extra power to start on cold days. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ferguson_tom Posted December 7, 2012 Report Share Posted December 7, 2012 Are you always waiting for the ignition light to go out? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
al4x Posted December 7, 2012 Report Share Posted December 7, 2012 Is it turning over or failing to do so? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Davyo Posted December 7, 2012 Report Share Posted December 7, 2012 Glow plugs?? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WelshLamb Posted December 7, 2012 Report Share Posted December 7, 2012 Glow plugs Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tikka.223 Posted December 7, 2012 Report Share Posted December 7, 2012 Glow plugs Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mpk Posted December 7, 2012 Report Share Posted December 7, 2012 In would also say glow plugs obviously the cold is highlighting the lack of performance. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
al4x Posted December 7, 2012 Report Share Posted December 7, 2012 If it was glow plugs it wouldn't jump start, or at least you would need to turn it over a fair bit and it would start in a cloud of white smoke. Though the battery has been checked it might be worth checking it again and the earth Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mpk Posted December 7, 2012 Report Share Posted December 7, 2012 (edited) If it was glow plugs it wouldn't jump start, or at least you would need to turn it over a fair bit and it would start in a cloud of white smoke. Though the battery has been checked it might be worth checking it again and the earth I thought being compression ignition it still would start on a bump ? Maybe I'm wrong Edited December 7, 2012 by mpk Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ditchman Posted December 7, 2012 Report Share Posted December 7, 2012 correct me if im wrong but if it has a DPA type pump (round not box like a simms) if you press the throttle down on a cold start it will cancel out the excess fuel on the fuel rack...failing that it is as the other posts say, poor battery (too small for the job) glow plugs,or not waiting for the heater relay to go out what car is it ? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
al4x Posted December 7, 2012 Report Share Posted December 7, 2012 depends if he means towing or from jump leads, you will start them when its cold by towing as you will generate heat, but the glow plugs are needed to warm things when its cold or they are slow to start. The better compression the less they need to turn over before starting, my truck will start all summer without any but come winter you have to turn it over for 20 seconds to get it to go if even one has failed. Then if the battery isn't tip top it won't manage that in cold weather. we almost need a little more information in the first post, if it goes from jump leads immediately then its unlikely to be glow plugs but if towed it could be Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
neil3728 Posted December 7, 2012 Report Share Posted December 7, 2012 How old in the engine oil, had this a while ago when I forgot to change the oil in the disco as it had been stood for a long period of time. The oil was old and it the cold was too think to turnover by itself, it would jump start no problem. I drained the oil and replaced the filter and never had an issue again. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
scimitar Posted December 7, 2012 Author Report Share Posted December 7, 2012 Are you always waiting for the ignition light to go out? Yes Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
scimitar Posted December 7, 2012 Author Report Share Posted December 7, 2012 Battery is brand new, had it checked at local autoparts shop and at halfords both say it is spot on and up to the job. Always starts straight away when using jump leads. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
al4x Posted December 7, 2012 Report Share Posted December 7, 2012 its a power drain then not glow plugs something is meaning its not turning it over fast enough on the existing battery. Its worth checking the earths and if that doesn't help I'd try another battery, not that I don't believe them but the jump lead bit shows everything else works Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NIGHT SEARCHER Posted December 7, 2012 Report Share Posted December 7, 2012 It could be a weak starter motor. Or Solenoid or a bad live connection. Or a battery drain like a boot light not going out when you shut the boot lid. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PhilR Posted December 7, 2012 Report Share Posted December 7, 2012 I've just had to buy a new battery for my Disco TD5. It wouldn't start on Saturday, very frosty morning and Wednesday in the snow too. Other mornings with a higher ambient temperature it's been fine. Checked the voltage at 12.5 volts and when running it was 14.5 volts which would seem good. The key element is the CCA charge and that's reduced when it's cold and a big five cylinder diesel lump needs a lot of ooomph in the battery to turn it over. I purchased a new battery and it's been fine, although the mornings since have been milder. I reckon that mine was the original Delphi battery and if so it's given good service over the last ten years. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
barney 66 Posted December 7, 2012 Report Share Posted December 7, 2012 What car is it? could be valve clearences meaning compression a bit low first thing on a cold morning if they are tight, I had this on a 106 deisel a few years ago,after the morning first start it would be fine all day until the next morning,it would go but you had to wind at it for ages, did the shims on the exhaust valves (all too tight) and it was fine for 10 years until i sold it a couple of months ago Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sako751sg Posted December 7, 2012 Report Share Posted December 7, 2012 Check your tyre pressure fella.Common fault and has a lot to answer for.Failing that,glow plugs. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
matone Posted December 7, 2012 Report Share Posted December 7, 2012 I`ve seen a lot of these problems cured by a new battery,despite the old battery testing out o.k.I`d try another battery 1st ! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
al4x Posted December 7, 2012 Report Share Posted December 7, 2012 Check your tyre pressure fella.Common fault and has a lot to answer for.Failing that,glow plugs. Deffo check the tyres, Like Phil mine did similar last year when it was -13 I didn't change the battery but its been fine since. Was a little slow this week in the cold but not too bad I keep expecting to need a new battery but can't quite get motivated to get one till this gives up Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mpk Posted December 7, 2012 Report Share Posted December 7, 2012 Mine seems fine in the cold....it does have 2 battery's though. Touch wood it has started on the button all week Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
neil w Posted December 7, 2012 Report Share Posted December 7, 2012 (edited) battery earth as said , the reason it starts no problem with a jump start is because it is getting a good earth from the other vehicle your jump starting from .. atb Edited December 7, 2012 by neil w Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
scimitar Posted December 8, 2012 Author Report Share Posted December 8, 2012 Went to a proper garage today to get it tested and they say its the battery, the battery is ok at 12.87v goes up to 14.3 on idle. but it is rated at 830A and only giving out 691A. Dont know what these numbers mean but been told to replace battery. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BerettaSV10 Posted December 8, 2012 Report Share Posted December 8, 2012 It would suggest that one cell (may be more) is breaking down when on load. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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