Glowplugs ignition question

[jg_norfolk]

So I picked up my new (to me) 02 Fabia 1.9TDi Sat. Reading the manual is indicates that if the ambient temperature is >= +5C then you should not wait for the glowplugs light to switch off but start the engine immediately.

On my last car I had to wait for them to heat up before turning the engine over.

So is the manual correct, and is this wise? I must admit I've tried from cold starting it without the glowplugs and it fired up without fuss but I thought I'd check with the experts...

Ta!

[Wabey]

I used to start mine up straight away, then a few times the car seemed to struggle and have a rough idle to begin with, so I now wait a little bit (if I remember!!)

[symonevans]

Didnt think you needed to wait, unless you were in the - degree C weather

[cheezemonkhai]

The light will go out almost instantly if the car is warm.

IMHO wait for the light to go out and if they light stays on for more than a second or two look to getting your plugs changed and the temp sensor and glow plug relay checked.

In warm weather the light should flick out so quickly you won't notice the plug.

From driving dervs for many years I am still in the habit of getting in , putting the ignition to II, putting the seat belt on then starting the car. This was to deal with the 15 second wait you used to get for glow plugs, however all it now gets me is a lot of seatbelt bongs.

[pikpilot]

Having just changed from a Citroen to an Octavia with the same engine as yours, I doubted the words in the handbook too. Apparantly the glowplugs on this engine only "flash" on over 5C, and you can start the engine immediately if warm. Works for me (once I had the glow plugs changed!)

[cheezemonkhai]

Originally Posted by pikpilot

Having just changed from a Citroen to an Octavia with the same engine as yours, I doubted the words in the handbook too. Apparantly the glowplugs on this engine only "flash" on over 5C, and you can start the engine immediately if warm. Works for me (once I had the glow plugs changed!)

Hi again,

So the plug change sorted your problems then

good to hear

[DavidY]

IIRC the glowplugs themselves stay on for a while after the warning light on the dash has gone out anyway.

My old Citroen was indirect injection - and you did have to wait several seconds for the light to go out- but for a direct injection engine like the 1.9tdi the glowplugs don't take so long to make the engine startable.

[Chrispy]

Originally Posted by DavidY

IIRC the glowplugs themselves stay on for a while after the warning light on the dash has gone out anyway.

My old Citroen was indirect injection - and you did have to wait several seconds for the light to go out- but for a direct injection engine like the 1.9tdi the glowplugs don't take so long to make the engine startable.

All true. You can hear the relay turn the glowplugs off a few seconds after starting too and the idle speed increases a touch.

Also, it's not necessarily to do with IDI/ DI for fast starting, but injection pressures. The new diesels all have much higher injection pressures and as such atomise the fuel better even when cold, meaning easier starting.
The PD has monster injection pressures and as such should start really well.

[53FabiaVRS]

Are the temp sensor and the glow plug relay common failure parts on the fabia? I still have the power steering light issue. When I start the car and the temp is less than 8C outside. The glow plug light stays on for about 4 seconds and it used to come and go out straight away last year in the cold. If I start the engine as soon as the light goes out the power steering light comes on and doesnt go out. However If i wait a further 3 seconds or so until I hear a relay click behind the steering column, it starts as normal and the power steering light goes out. I also notice the fan speed increase when the click goes as if there is an increase in voltage.
I have had my car in to skoda and no fault code was found for the steering orany for that matter. Other than my control unit was incorrectly coded.
I have changed the steering sensor too. When the weather is warm outside it starts normally. It is only when it is cold that it plays up.
I am wondering if it might be worth me changing the relay and the temp sensor as a matter of course. I have already changed the glowplugs.
What price is the relay and the temp sensor?

Cheers Matt

[ScoobyChris]

Never bothered on any diesel I've owned. Mechanic friend of mine tells me that you only need to wait when the temperature is proper cold (-20 deg C I think he mentioned). Either way, had no trouble in anything down to -5/6 deg C

Chris

[cheezemonkhai]

If you have changed the plugs and are confident the wiring is all good then the temp sensor and then relay would be the next logical place to look.

[53FabiaVRS]

The temperature sensor, is it the one that fits in the coolant expansion tank?

Just checked and I know where it is now.

[cheezemonkhai]

No the one in the expansion tank is the level sensor.

http://www.briskoda.net/forums/techn...sor-how/66180/

That gives you an idea of what you are looking for but is for the 1.4 engine.

[AIVATCO]

I want to check the glow plugs in octavia 1.9 TDI can anyone advise of there location I have removed the top padding but cannot see anything obvious are they along the front of the engine or along the back

[dskoda]

Look just below the injectors there is a thick black lead running transverse with four T offs, pull each of these off and your plugs are underneath, use a ohm meter to check the plugs, if you are getting an open circuit between the plug top and the engine block, the plugs are shot, easy to change out, just make sure you don't cross thread the new ones going back in. Also use a bit of penetrant on the old plugs before you try to remove them.

I just changed mine but still no improvement on start up, getting no voltage through the leads. If I turn the key to position 2 and repeat and the start I get a reasonable start up, could this be the relay, can anyone tell me which relay controls the glow plug, know they are down in the foot well but which one???

Cheers
Dskoda