poor starting

[rickh01]

I recently noticed that my vectra 1.9 cdti has been struggling to start up after being left over night. It seems to not be slow on turning over making me think it's not the battery. But I thought it's the heater plugs . Does the ecu stop these when It's warm weather or do they work always. My green light is still on on the Vauxhall battery??
When I've drove it and left it for a couple of hours she starts fine.

[ronnie63]

I had a head scratcher with that problem changed everything! and lastly the starter motor that was the culprit!

Ronnie

[rickh01]

Cheers mate, I'll look into it. I still think its heater plugs. I need to know if the ecu bypasses them if it's warm though

[ficosaneil]

lots off reports on here of poor cold starting being fixed with new starter motor..
If it sounds like its cranking slowly too then my money would be on that.

[Teapot]

9 out of 10 cold starting issues can be attributed to one of the following:
1. Coolant temp sensor
2. Glow plugs
3. Battery
4. Loose/corroded earth connections
5. Slow starter motor


If after checking and replacing all those items it still is difficult to start, the injection quantity during cranking can be increased b remapping and this usually solves it.

[conman]

I need to know if the ecu bypasses them if it's warm though

Yes, if the temp outside is warm enough the glow plug light will stay off and you just start the car as normal

P.S. Just to add, if the temp is high enough and the light stays off the ecu will still check them, in turn still giving a fault code.

[rickh01]

Thanks a lot guys, sorry for the late delay but mine turned out to be the battery.. I individually checked each heater plug and they were fine. And yes if it is warm enough outside the plugs are not needed to start the car..... And thanks little teapot I passed this info about the re map onto a friend which cured his fault....