Ignition coil and problem starting?

**emptybee** · 27th May 2009, 19:50

Hi,

How long is the ignition coil light meant to stay on when you turn the key? It only comes on when the car hasn't been started for at least 4 hours and stays on for about a second before going out. The car isn't starting particularly quickly either. I have a 3 month warranty so want to get any problems sorted out (if indeed it is a problem).

Thanks,

Max

**Ste** · 27th May 2009, 22:36

Firstly, what ignition coil light do you mean, do you mean glow plug light as yours is a diesel?
How long cranking before it starts? and is there any WHITE smelly smoke out the back when it first starts?

**emptybee** · 28th May 2009, 19:03

Hi Ste,

Yes I mean the glow plug sorry. It literally comes up for less than a second sometimes. No smoke however. Just wondered how long other peoples glow plug lights stay on as in my parents peugeot it stays on for about 4-5 secs before you can start the car.

The other thing I've noticed is that the turbo is quite loud on these cars. Is that normal or have I got a split in a boost pipe somewhere? Starts to hiss around 1600rpm. Don't get me wrong it sounds nice but just wondered if this is usual as again my parents pug tdi makes very little noise from the turbo.

Thanks and sorry if I'm being pedantic I just don't want to find out in 3 months I should have sorted these things out when under warranty.

**Big Sig** · 28th May 2009, 19:10

The glow plug light stays on for as long as required. Longer for colder weather, shorter in the summer

**mulder** · 28th May 2009, 20:43

Originally Posted by Ste

Firstly, what ignition coil light do you mean, do you mean glow plug light as yours is a diesel?
How long cranking before it starts? and is there any WHITE smelly smoke out the back when it first starts?

sorry for hijacking the thread....but mine takes a good few seconds to kick into life when sat overnight and does produce white smoke....good or bad then?

**Ste** · 28th May 2009, 23:09

White smelly smoke is usually unburnt diesel being emitted out the back. Usually a sign of poor glow plug effectiveness, or dirty injectors.

OP - How long cranking before it fires? It hasn't been particularly cold recently, so I really wouldn't expect the glow plugs to be on for long, if at all.

**mulder** · 29th May 2009, 01:05

I was thinking something like dirty injectors...just bought the vectra and it had been with a car supermarket for around 6months so really not been used much before i got it. May try something like BP ultimate or something, see if i can clean it out a bit...would hope glow plugs wouldnt be going quite yet, only 18month old car.

My car has taken 5secs to fire before, though strangley only when its on my drive pointing up hill...pointing the other way is fine....strange coincidence i expect lol glow plug light stays on for about a sec and kicks into life in about 3secs but only after its sat for 6hrs, otherwise its instant

**Ste** · 29th May 2009, 08:54

I would first try a injector cleaner, and take it for a spirited run - ideal thing is to go up a steep high with gusto in a relatively low gear, as it gets large amounts of fuel flowing which will clean injectors quicker.

What engine do you have?