I have had a search through the forums and cant really find a conclusion or related issue. 

When i turn my key after waiting for glow plugs i get nothing till 3rd or 4th attempt. Or if i hold in start position for around 5 seconds. Then it fires up and the problem is intermittent throughout the day. 

Iam guessing starter motor as i know the battery is fine. But wouldn't it struggle to turn over if the starter was sticking? I have checked what i know of the earth connections. I want to buy a new starter but would like to check anything else first. Can anyone give me advice on how to check other issues that can cause the same fault. 

Check the main positive supply cable (big heavy duty wire) on the back of the starter motor solinoid. Is the connection clean and tight? 

Just now, unofix said:

Check the main positive supply cable (big heavy duty wire) on the back of the starter motor solinoid. Is the connection clean and tight? 

Thank you, ill check that out tomorrow 👍 

On 5/3/2022 at 8:05 PM, unofix said:

That helps.

You probably have a bad electrical connection to the Starter Solenoid.

First check that the battery terminals are tight. Try moving the battery leads, can they be moved on the posts ?

Second check the main supply lead (Big lead) on the starter solenoid. Check the nut is clean and tight (be very careful not to short the wire or terminal to the metal of the engine.

Third check small wire to the starter solenoid, make sure it has not come loose or is corroded.

Read this thread, also has pictures and videos 

May also be old glow plugs

my old 1.8 TDCi had this issue and it was fixed with new glow plugs. 
 

defo worth trying anything free first though like connections etc!!!

7 hours ago, unofix said:

Read this thread, also has pictures and videos 

Thank you, no link to thread? 

7 hours ago, TDCiST said:

May also be old glow plugs

my old 1.8 TDCi had this issue and it was fixed with new glow plugs. 

Thank you, How would i go about testing glow plugs? 

So am thinking, take off the starter check n clean, make sure its not seizing, clean all electrical connectors and put it back on. 

Weather bit crap today, so I'll crack on soon as i get chance and update you all. 

https://www.denso-am.eu/uk/news/deneur20_28_diagnosing-a-glow-plug

Is there any chance it could be fuel pump? Or would it still turn over? Only asking as it happend again, didn't do any thing till i tapped the accelerator? 

43 minutes ago, Simmo80 said:

Is there any chance it could be fuel pump? Or would it still turn over? Only asking as it happend again, didn't do any thing till i tapped the accelerator? 

Hello Daniel, I just need to clarify exactly what you mean by not starting as we are getting mixed answers on this thread which is going to be confusing.

When you try to start the engine does the 'Starter Motor' operate and the engine turns over but fails to fire ?

OR

When you try to start the engine does 'nothing happen'. The starter motor does not operate and the engine does not turn over ?

I turn the key and the starter does nothing. (doesn't turn over) until i hold key in start (furthest it goes) and then 4 or 6 seconds later the engine turns over and it starts. 

Dont know if its a coincidence but during the silent 4 to 6 seconds if i press the clutch it turns and fires up. Or one time it still did nothing then i tapped the accelerator and it turned over and fired up. 

Basically once it starts to turn over (starter motor) it has no problem starting, doesn't struggle like when battery is flat. And fires up with what sounds like 2nd or 3rd crank. 

I haven't noticed the solinoid click either. And it is intermittent. Mainly happens 1st start of the day, but not always, then it may happen 2 to 4 times during the day. Rest of the time its as if they is no problem. 

Got a few unrelated things happening too. Or i think they are unrelated. 

Hope this clears it up. 

Ignition barrel, cluster, once started have you read the codes ? its gonna be a process of elimination

38 minutes ago, Jimpster said:

Ignition barrel, cluster, once started have you read the codes ? its gonna be a process of elimination

No codes except p010f but its once in a blue moon, goes away and then dont happen for a long while. Makes me wonder if its a wiring issue, cos i replaced maf, checked for splits (but need to check properly by taking all out and cleaning intercooler) but thats one of the unrelated issues. 

May be a silly question, but if i have got a wiring problem somewhere. Would i get more static shocks lol cos I've been zapped all day today getting out of car 😂 

possibly a bad earth somewhere

26 minutes ago, Simmo80 said:

May be a silly question, but if i have got a wiring problem somewhere. Would i get more static shocks lol cos I've been zapped all day today getting out of car

No. The reason you're getting zapped is your clothing is acquiring a static charge by rubbing against the fabric of the seat. This tends to happen when the air is very dry. Nothing to do with the car wiring. Try to avoid touching any metalwork of the car until you're outside and then quickly grab the door handle with the whole of your hand to spread the area through which the charge dissipates. If that doesn't work try gripping the key blade or some other metal object and using it to discharge yourself to the latch striker plate.

2 hours ago, Simmo80 said:

but if i have got a wiring problem somewhere.

The fault can only be either a faulty ignition barrel/switch assembly so the start power is not being sent to the starter solenoid, OR you have a fault with the starter solenoid and starter motor assembly. Have you checked the wiring on the end of the solenoid ?

You don't have a fault with Glow plugs, and you don't have a fault with the fuel pump.

So i removed the starter today to check all connections and to see how stiff it was. 

The thin wire with plug on was corroded. It came away easy. I couldn't fix it back into the plug so its temp wired together with electrical tape. 

It hasnt done the no start since, but only been a day. If i dont add anything to this thread its fixed. Thanks everyone. Hope this helps someone else 

On 5/28/2022 at 10:46 PM, unofix said:

you have a fault with the starter solenoid and starter motor assembly. Have you checked the wiring on the end of the solenoid ?

 

7 minutes ago, Simmo80 said:

So i removed the starter today to check all connections and to see how stiff it was. 

The thin wire with plug on was corroded. It came away easy.

Well you got there 👍