vw t4 2.4 NON-turbo deisel starting problems in cold

**triker67** · 07-01-2009,10:27 AM

Hi,wanted to say hello as a newbie........this is probably a subject that has been covered before.....but without trailing through thousands of earlier posts....would like to 'bump' it back.......

vw,t4,2.4 five cyl non-turbo diesel........wont start in cold (rain also....probably coz its cold when raining?)......

will only start with easy start!!!.....i know,i know....should never have used it........but......rac used it to start me once...........have used ever since!!!

dilema......do i take it to a garage....for them to 'experiment' at my cost.......or does anyone have a good idea of the possibles?

is this fixable ? or is it addicted to easy start forever....as many have told me?

any help would be very appreciated....as i'm skint at the moment....many thanks

**zollaf** · 07-01-2009,10:36 AM

a car will become addicted to easy start if used regularly. this is due to a loss of compression , but a run of about 250 miles is usually sufficient to burn off any residue and return things to normal. have you checked that your glow plugs are working? this is the most common reason a diesel wont start in cold weather.easy start is a good thing to have, but if there is a fault, get it fixed and dont rely on the stuff forever.

**triker67** · 08-01-2009,09:03 AM

'zollaf'.....many thanks for replying.....i've had a strong feeling that it may be glow plugs......about £40 a set.......quoted £180 to have em fitted(inc parts)............that i don't mind..............its just ...........having had car/van probs before.........i'm a little wiser..........and even more scared! lol,as a lot of garages will 'experiment' to find the cure!!!.............

will probably have to bite the bullet......but will hang on a little longer for any more info.......cheers

**zollaf** · 08-01-2009,12:27 PM

seems a bit excessive. they are easy to change. just remove the wires going to them and wind them out. it can be a bit fiddly, but not that hard if you know how to use a spanner. you can check them with an amp clamp without removing them to check they are drawing current. they should draw about 10 amps each, after a couple of seconds. you cant use a multimeter as they draw a lot of amps in the first second, and this will blow most multimeters. if you pop them out and test them on a battery, this is the best way. but they should glow red hot after 2 seconds, so if you do this be VERY careful, and they stay hot for a few minutes after, so dont put them down on anything you dont want to burn.personally, if you dont want to do this, i would go to a garage that posesses an amp clamp and get them to test the current draw.this way you know what the fault is. it should take about 1 minute to establish that they work or not.

**triker67** · 09-01-2009,09:06 AM

Once again,many thanks for replying.....usually have a go at all jobs needed on me vehicles.......i think the independant vw place i asked about parts....put the fear of god up me...........stating that the front of the van had to come off to get at them...........trying to justify his labour charges,methinks!!!????

Anyway....will probably buy the new parts and wait for a nice day to do it....it wouldn't hurt to replace them anyway,i suppose..i'll do as you say aswell and source an amp clamp .....

cheers

**kenney** · 09-01-2009,12:28 PM

And if you dont have an amp clamp Remove wiring and busbar for glow plugs.
Connect diode test lamp wire using auxiliary clips from auxiliary cable set to battery positive (+).
Place diode test lamp probe on each glow plug one after the other.
Diode lights up: glow plug OK.
Diode does not light up: replace glow plug
(tightening torque: 25 Nm)

**conner** · 09-01-2009,11:33 PM

hi this happened on me own van with is a 2.4 and i metered out the plugs and found the was only a trical of power coming to them traced it back to the heater plugs relay/ timer located in the fuse box (vary bottom relay right hand side ....its a long relay couse ther a timer in it

i remover the cover and you can see the pins on the coil part of the relay
i cleaned them with a little sand paper
replaced in and it works fine

try this 1st be for replacing the plugs i can send you pics if you need them send me you email

let me know if this helps

**triker67** · 10-01-2009,09:13 AM

Thank you all for your info.....i'm gonna try the relay first then....and then test the plugs...............as soon as i get a mo !!! maybe a couple o wks,the way things are going.........but needless to say...i'll put all your suggestions into action asap..................i'll pass on success' to you all soon......fingers crossed

cheers everyone

**Freshup** · 14-01-2009,07:34 PM

Even with one faulty glowplug these engines are very hard to start. Large fuse on R/H side with heavy red wires just under bonnet is main feed for glowplugs. Check for 12 volts with glowplug light on. then as said above ampmeter in line should read 50 amps. If 40 then 1 us, 30 then 2 us, etc. I only replace faulty ones (skinflint). Doesn't seem to have any effect on lifespan of others. From underneath, black plastic connector on front of block just above sump with 5 wires. Disconnect and test continuity to determine faulty glowplug. Bit tricky to change, especially the one behind the injector pump.

**478griffin** · 15-01-2009,12:13 AM

Hi Guys, as a rookie T4 owner i have found your suggestions so helpful in that yesterday i bought a T4, it started then , now it won't ,it just keeps turning over, so i'm going to try doing what you have advised and i'll let you know the outcome, thanks lads you have restored my faith in the human race