Morning everyone.

 

My '08 Diesel has been pretty reliable for the 3½ years I've had it apart from a turbo hose in September '19 which was easily fixed.

But in the last few months while it has been cold, it has been very bad at starting.

The battery is only 2 years old.

 

I turn the key and let the plugs warm up. On really cold days I do this 3 or 4 cycles to give it a chance. I crank her over and thr engine shudders as though trying to catch, but it doesn't fire. Then the battery starts to die... 

When cranking, the offside headlight comes on (and possibly the nearside but I couldn't see) 

 

It might not be related, but I have also noticed my fuel economy has been awful recently, down to low 30's mpg..

The car had a good half hours run yesterday evening, taking the long way back home..

I am totally at sea with modern electronics and diesels - as a pre war specialist mechanic I am handy with spanners but clueless on modern systems.

 

Where should I be looking/thinking to try and get the issue sorted?

Earths perhaps, or emission control valves sticking?

Any info or ideas at all will be very much appreciated.

Thank you.

I've done quite a lot of digging around on the web and found a few ideas and options.

The anti shudder valve seems to cause these issues. I've had a feel in mine and can't make it stick shut.

 

The headlights coming on seems to be an indication of a poor battery (though less than 3 years old it wasn't an expensive one)

 

It could also be an earth problem, so I'll pull off, clean and grease as many earth points as I can find.

 

The back of the fuse box - it seems they are prone to getting damp and corroding, so I'll get in there and see what gives. The car has had a lot of wet in it (I think the boot is leaking!) so this could be a cause.

 

If I can get a job anytime I will treat the thing to a bit of a birthday and do glow plugs, fuel filter and a service.