Hi everyone. 

I need some help. My Mk5 2.0tdci 180 ps Mondeo is struggling to start from cold. Will run after 4/5 button presses. I'm suspecting glow plugs. 

I've had a multi meter on the glow plugs from the connection near EGR and I'm getting a resistance read. So hopefully they are ok. I then tried to get a voltage read at same plug but other side. Nothing showing with ignition on. No volts. 

I've just changed the relay (£65 from ford) and no improvement. I'm now hoping it's the fuse. 

For the life of me I cannot find the location of a glow plug fuse. Been right thought all 3 fuse locations and can't find it. 

Does anyone know where the glow plug fuse is? Or better still, what wrong with my car? 

Thanks all. 

Jon

1 hour ago, Jonholmzee said:

I'm suspecting glow plugs.

I'm suspecting not 🤣

Seriously a modern diesel engine only uses the glow plugs in extreme clod conditions. Even in the poor British summer the engine will start just fine without the use of the glow plugs, which mostly serve to help with emissions in the first minute.

 

6 minutes ago, unofix said:

I'm suspecting not 🤣

Seriously a modern diesel engine only uses the glow plugs in extreme clod conditions. Even in the poor British summer the engine will start just fine without the use of the glow plugs, which mostly serve to help with emissions in the first minute.

 

I understand what you're saying but I cannot think of another reason why it won't start when cold but starts first turn of the key(button) when warm. I've changed the fuel filter and nothing at all on Forescan. I'm stumped. 

25 minutes ago, Jonholmzee said:

I cannot think of another reason why it won't start when cold but starts first turn of the key(button) when warm.

@TomsFocus might have some ideas.

Below is the fuse info for a Mondeo Mk5, but I don't know what year your car is.

What happens when you press the button?  Is it cranking or clicking or just nothing?

If the plugs were heating (or attempting to) there should be a warning on the dash to say 'preheating' or similar.

The glow plugs are used for every start, but they're not 'needed' to start on common rails until below 0c.  As an emissions reduction device, they do trigger a fault warning and even limp mode on some engines.

Worth noting that you may be releasing the clutch too early if the battery is a bit weak.  Keep that pressed until the engine starts.  You should only need to press the start button once but keep the clutch pressed for the duration.  When the plugs are needed in cold weather, the engine will not turn over until a few seconds after the button has been pressed, but the clutch still needs to be down otherwise the starting procedure will be interrupted and you'll have to press both the clutch and the start button again.  Looks complicated written down but it's easy when you're actually doing it.

11 hours ago, unofix said:

@TomsFocus might have some ideas.

Below is the fuse info for a Mondeo Mk5, but I don't know what year your car is.

Thanks for that info on fuse location. Needless to say, I checked the fuse and it's ok (not blown). Now I'm fresh out of ideas as to why this thing will not start from cold.

Is mostly when the car has stood over night that the first start of the day is difficult ?

4 minutes ago, TomsFocus said:

What happens when you press the button?  Is it cranking or clicking or just nothing?

If the plugs were heating (or attempting to) there should be a warning on the dash to say 'preheating' or similar.

The glow plugs are used for every start, but they're not 'needed' to start on common rails until below 0c.  As an emissions reduction device, they do trigger a fault warning and even limp mode on some engines.

Worth noting that you may be releasing the clutch too early if the battery is a bit weak.  Keep that pressed until the engine starts.  You should only need to press the start button once but keep the clutch pressed for the duration.  When the plugs are needed in cold weather, the engine will not turn over until a few seconds after the button has been pressed, but the clutch still needs to be down otherwise the starting procedure will be interrupted and you'll have to press both the clutch and the start button again.  Looks complicated written down but it's easy when you're actually doing it.

Hi TomFocus

Car cranks as normal when button pressed. It does a full 'roughly 10 sec' crank.  After 4/5 of these it will start and run sweetly. 
No glow plug warning on cluster or any fault codes to indicate a problem.
Clutch fully depressed as it will not initiate a crank unless clutch in. 
As far as I'm aware i'm doing a normal start process. The same process starts the car every time once it's warm.

I'm now thinking maybe low pressure fuel draining back through the fuel system (pre fuel filter) putting air into the system. Any thoughts on this would be greatly appreciated.  

6 minutes ago, unofix said:

Is mostly when the car has stood over night that the first start of the day is difficult ?

Hi. It's worse overnight but still struggles after a few hours of not running. 

1 minute ago, Jonholmzee said:

Hi TomFocus

Car cranks as normal when button pressed. It does a full 'roughly 10 sec' crank.  After 4/5 of these it will start and run sweetly. 
No glow plug warning on cluster or any fault codes to indicate a problem.
Clutch fully depressed as it will not initiate a crank unless clutch in. 
As far as I'm aware i'm doing a normal start process. The same process starts the car every time once it's warm.

I'm now thinking maybe low pressure fuel draining back through the fuel system (pre fuel filter) putting air into the system. Any thoughts on this would be greatly appreciated.  

Yes, that sounds like the correct procedure and I don't think glowplugs are the issue here.  I would agree that it sounds like a low pressure fuel issue.

Do you know if your car has a tank lift pump?  I thought the Mk5's did, though that may only be for the 1.5 TDCI, not the 2.0 as well.

3 minutes ago, TomsFocus said:

Yes, that sounds like the correct procedure and I don't think glowplugs are the issue here.  I would agree that it sounds like a low pressure fuel issue.

Do you know if your car has a tank lift pump?  I thought the Mk5's did, though that may only be for the 1.5 TDCI, not the 2.0 as well.

Having just watched a YouTube video I can confirm there is a fuel lift pump inside the non accessible tank...

3 minutes ago, Jonholmzee said:

Having just watched a YouTube video I can confirm there is a fuel lift pump inside the non accessible tank...

Ok, see if you can hear that whining when you open the door or switch the ignition on.

If not, it is worth checking the fuse for it.

29 minutes ago, TomsFocus said:

Ok, see if you can hear that whining when you open the door or switch the ignition on.

If not, it is worth checking the fuse for it.

Th last time I was in the car, I'm sure i heard the pulsing fuel pump when I opened the driver's door. 
Is it just me who hopes every issue would result in a burnt out fuse but it NEVER is. I can't remember the las blown fuse I've actually seen. 

I saved up loads of fuses when I was breaking cars for parts.  Of course, they were all the old style maxi fuses so no use on newer cars.  

I can't remember the last fuse I had to replace either.  Generally fuses blow because of another fault though, it is rare for them to just randomly blow.

The fuel pump should prime in a steady tone for a few seconds, not pulse.

Just a quick update for anyone who's interested. 

Car is now fixed. Problem wasn't glow plugs or fuel pressure but turned out to be the starter motor. 

There's other threads on other forums on this but what got me thinking was a YouTube video of a guy with a MK4 Mondeo 2.0 diesel. Same cold start problem but this guy changed everything on his car first. New injectors, new glow plugs, fuel pump the works. Turned out his starter motor had a bad earth! 

Basically same with mine. Took starter off, got it tested then reconditioned, put back on and fired up first time. 

Hopefully this thread will help others who encountered similar issues. 

Thanks to all who contributed. 

Not cranking over fast enough then. I had it on my MK3 and it turned out to be the battery.

1 hour ago, Jonholmzee said:

Problem wasn't glow plugs

I wish I'd placed a bet on that 🤣