My Wife tells me her 2004 Fiesta 1.4 TDCi plays up when its cold. She says she turns the key and the engine turns over but then stops. She has to try 3 or 4 times before the engine starts. When its warm it just cranks over until it starts, but when cold its as if something cuts the power to the starter motor after the engine has turned over for about 2 seconds? Any ideas on what this could be?

Is the battery original? Could be a duff cell.

Fairly recent battery and it will spin it over quick enough. This isnt like a failing battery, its more the power to the starter is interrupted for some reason. I'm guessing its temp related as its fine when its warmer?

Could still be a duff cell, either get the battery checked with a short-circuit tester, or try a set of jump leads with a additional battery.

I found this which is basically there is a update for the PCM.

http://www.locostbuilders.co.uk/viewthread.php?tid=101124

Wife's derv burner 1.4 TDCI Fiesta,

Is refusing to start first thing in the morning.

Chain of events.

Key in to pos 2 ( all lights that should come on come on and then go back out ).

Turn key to start ( starter motor tuns for a couple of seconds and then stops )

repest these step a couple of times and she will finally start.

Battery seems in fine shape ( bit I will check tonight )

So a couple of questions

1 even tough the 1.4 is a direct injection does ot still use glow plugs ?

1a if so any idea what resistance I should be getting

1b do the glow plugs always come on or are they temperature dependant ?

2 do some moden ( this one included ) cars have a starter time limit to stop overcranking and over heating the starter motor ?

Anyone have any other ideas ?

regards

Agriv8

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I took the car to the ford specialist today, only there for about 30mins.

He plugged a laptop into the dashboard,ran a complete diagnostic test and found no errors,but after a few mins discovered there was an update available for the engine managements.

I think it was called COLD START DRIVABILITY.

So he updated the PCM calibration files and reset the parameters.

It cost £45.00.

under a Ford 1.4 TDCi Starter motor Cut out.

Wonder how much the main stealer going to charge. I will give them a call.

Thanks

Agriv8

edited to add it seems that post 54 reg have the updated EM map from new I suspect I will find ours needs updating