Is this a classic......problem ?

[Frogland]

My 300 tdi has never started on the first turn of the starter thankfully it has always started All the glow plugs are good,and so is the battery,from what i've dug up on here it could be an earthing ?.... solenoid.... issue

[western]

is the glowplug timer relay working ?

a, does the glowplug dash light come on when you switch ign on

b, does the light go out after 6 to 8 seconds

c, do you hear a fairly loud click when the relay de-energises

[Frogland]

is the glowplug timer relay working ?

a, does the glowplug dash light come on when you switch ign on

b, does the light go out after 6 to 8 seconds

c, do you hear a fairly loud click when the relay de-energises

a-yes

b-yes

c-yes

Oh and i forgot to add that the starter motor is sluggish even when the engine is warm,although a little bit less than on first start-up.

[FridgeFreezer]

Have you tried a fresh battery (or a jump from another vehicle)?

When you say it never starts 1st time, what *does* it do on the 1st try?

Does the solenoid engage?

Does the starter turn, if so does it turn slow or at normal speed?

[Frogland]

Have you tried a fresh battery (or a jump from another vehicle)?

When you say it never starts 1st time, what *does* it do on the 1st try?

Does the solenoid engage?

Does the starter turn, if so does it turn slow or at normal speed?

The starter turns (cranks)slow,if i jump with two batteries and the starter turns fast will that indicate a problem with the battery.

[western]

or the cables to starter/earth

[Frogland]

or the cables to starter/earth

What are the main battery specifications for a 300tdi ? and what's the ideal battery voltage before start-up (what should it be first thing in the morning ?)

[western]

300Tdi standard battery is a 9 plate 072 & heavy duty version is a 14 plate 663, you should see about 12.5v or more in a fully charged battery, only way to tell first thing in the morning is put a multimeter set at 20v across the 2 terminals.

[FridgeFreezer]

I'd nip to a battery specialist, they can do a drop test on your existing battery and if required sell you a new one. Although there'll be a specified capacity for your car, you can probably fit a physically bigger one in to give you better than original spec. When I bought the battery for the 109 I gave them the dimensions of the battery box and told them to fill it with battery rather than giving a battery capacity.

[LandyManLuke]

you should see about 12.5v or more in a fully charged battery

I'd nip to a battery specialist, they can do a drop test on your existing battery and if required sell you a new one.

Whilst 12.5 is the correct voltage for a rested 'charged' battery, you really need to do a loaded (or 'drop') test to find out if the battery is any good.

A knackered battery will charge and show 12.5 (ish) volts across its terminals, until you load it, at which point it will quickly fall off to maybe only a few volts! A decent battery will hold a voltage much nearer to 12.5v whilst under significant load.

[rusty_wingnut]

When it is running does is smoke alot?

[JimAttrill]

The battery to fit is the biggest that you can get in there I have 2x 674 batteries under the seat they are 90ah 355*175*213mm in size. I had lots of starting problems in cold weather (-3c) with the original size batteries which were really too small for a diesel engine.

Oh, and I think big batteries kept charged up with a switching charger like a CTEK will last a long time. One of my batteries was bought in May 1981 .....

[Frogland]

The battery to fit is the biggest that you can get in there I have 2x 674 batteries under the seat they are 90ah 355*175*213mm in size. I had lots of starting problems in cold weather (-3c) with the original size batteries which were really too small for a diesel engine.

Oh, and I think big batteries kept charged up with a switching charger like a CTEK will last a long time. One of my batteries was bought in May 1981 .....

This morning before starting the battery voltage was 12.52.

The battery is a 70 AH 640 A, Which doesn't take up too much space in the battery compartment I'm thinking it might be a bit on the light side for a 300 tdi,I remember the the previous owner told me it was new,I think he may have got the best buy and just stuck it in.