XC90 D5 Starting Problem

[jshack]

Posting as i have the same issue - only in cold weather, didn't do this over the summer. Mine is a 2010 D5 with c.200k miles. Runs perfect otherwise.

Symptom: on cold start takes a few cranks to start on first attempt and is lumpy for a few seconds.

If I cycle the ignition 2 or 3 times its starts on the button and runs smooth, so that's what I've been doing.

Immediately thought about the glow plugs - checked the resistance as per SiRobb's video on youtube and no issues. But I have noticed the glow plug light is only visible on the 2/3 key turn. otherwise it extinguishes immediately.

I have VIDA too - no codes.

Thought about just renewing the glow plugs but don't want to risk snapping them.

Any ideas? other than putting off looking at it until next winter.

Thanks
James

[Bashy]

Originally Posted by jshack

Posting as i have the same issue - only in cold weather, didn't do this over the summer. Mine is a 2010 D5 with c.200k miles. Runs perfect otherwise.

Symptom: on cold start takes a few cranks to start on first attempt and is lumpy for a few seconds.

If I cycle the ignition 2 or 3 times its starts on the button and runs smooth, so that's what I've been doing.

Immediately thought about the glow plugs - checked the resistance as per SiRobb's video on youtube and no issues. But I have noticed the glow plug light is only visible on the 2/3 key turn. otherwise it extinguishes immediately.

I have VIDA too - no codes.

Thought about just renewing the glow plugs but don't want to risk snapping them.

Any ideas? other than putting off looking at it until next winter.

Thanks
James

To be honest, it sounds the exact same as mine, so i would say its one of 2 things, either glow plug(s) or dodgy connector(s) to the glow plug or wiring as its only happening in colder weather.

When i had the cold start misfire issue, it was a dodgy connector, so 1st i would say before you next cold start it in the morning, pop the bonnet either the afternoon before or beforeyou try to start the next morning and press hard on each of the connectors. Dont try starting it 1st as that will ruin the test and you will have to wait til the following day to find out if its worked. If that does not resolve it, then buy a set of plugs, they are dirt cheap, i went through 3 sets trying to resolve it til i realised it was a connector(s), it was such an elusive issue and took nearly a year on and off trying to narrow it down, each time i tired a set, it resolved it for a couple of days, then slowly got worse, i tried, cheap plugs, then bosch plugs, then cheap plugs, latter were £10 a set, i accidentally found that its was the connector(s) not on tight enough and yep, 4 of mine are snapped, still work great now i know to be heavy handed when refitting them.

Hope ya find the issue and not take as long as i did lol

[Moonhammer]

Originally Posted by Bashy

To be honest, it sounds the exact same as mine, so i would say its one of 2 things, either glow plug(s) or dodgy connector(s) to the glow plug or wiring as its only happening in colder weather.

When i had the cold start misfire issue, it was a dodgy connector, so 1st i would say before you next cold start it in the morning, pop the bonnet either the afternoon before or beforeyou try to start the next morning and press hard on each of the connectors. Dont try starting it 1st as that will ruin the test and you will have to wait til the following day to find out if its worked. If that does not resolve it, then buy a set of plugs, they are dirt cheap, i went through 3 sets trying to resolve it til i realised it was a connector(s), it was such an elusive issue and took nearly a year on and off trying to narrow it down, each time i tired a set, it resolved it for a couple of days, then slowly got worse, i tried, cheap plugs, then bosch plugs, then cheap plugs, latter were £10 a set, i accidentally found that its was the connector(s) not on tight enough and yep, 4 of mine are snapped, still work great now i know to be heavy handed when refitting them.

Hope ya find the issue and not take as long as i did lol

Thanks for the tips! I am having the extract same issue. Crank forever on first turn then starts straight up 2nd turn.

Question, do you know where the wiring for glow plugs returns to ? I believe there is a glow plug module hidden somewhere. I’d like to carry out a continuity test.

[Simmy]

Originally Posted by jshack

Posting as i have the same issue - only in cold weather, didn't do this over the summer. Mine is a 2010 D5 with c.200k miles. Runs perfect otherwise.

Symptom: on cold start takes a few cranks to start on first attempt and is lumpy for a few seconds.

If I cycle the ignition 2 or 3 times its starts on the button and runs smooth, so that's what I've been doing.

Immediately thought about the glow plugs - checked the resistance as per SiRobb's video on youtube and no issues. But I have noticed the glow plug light is only visible on the 2/3 key turn. otherwise it extinguishes immediately.

I have VIDA too - no codes.

Thought about just renewing the glow plugs but don't want to risk snapping them.

Any ideas? other than putting off looking at it until next winter.

Thanks
James

fix it now. there is nothing worse than fixing cars when the weather is cold.and wet

[tonygreen1966]

Originally Posted by Moonhammer

Thanks for the tips! I am having the extract same issue. Crank forever on first turn then starts straight up 2nd turn.

Question, do you know where the wiring for glow plugs returns to ? I believe there is a glow plug module hidden somewhere. I’d like to carry out a continuity test.

Your problem of starting on second try may be air in the fuel system. What may be happening is that if you have air in the fuel pipe leading to the fuel pump, then the fuel pump is pumping air for the first try and at the same time the pumped air is cooling the glow plugs - so when the fuel does eventually reach the injector the glow plugs are cold and it does not start.
When you try to start the second time, and warm the glow plugs, you have already 'primed' the fuel system and injectors with fuel, so it starts.
I had this issue on an old Mondeo. When I figured out what was happening all I done every morning was immediately start turning the engine over without the glow plug delay, then when the engine tried to start that signified fuel was reaching the injectors, and I'd then switch the ignition off for a few seconds, then turn ignition on and let the glow plugs warm up, then turn the engine over and it would start first time.
It may not be your problem but give it a try.
If it is air in your system air normally get into hose connections/filter joints etc and can be traced if you put clear diesel resistant tubing on- you can some times see an air pocket at the highest point in the morning when the car has been left standing all night. When I had the problem above, the leak was in the old 'jerk' pump gaskets so I wasn't going go messing with that pump.

[SwissXC90]

Originally Posted by Moonhammer

Thanks for the tips! I am having the extract same issue. Crank forever on first turn then starts straight up 2nd turn.

Question, do you know where the wiring for glow plugs returns to ? I believe there is a glow plug module hidden somewhere. I’d like to carry out a continuity test.

The glow plug relay is mounted forward of the air filter box, very easily accessible.

[Moonhammer]

Originally Posted by tonygreen1966

Your problem of starting on second try may be air in the fuel system. What may be happening is that if you have air in the fuel pipe leading to the fuel pump, then the fuel pump is pumping air for the first try and at the same time the pumped air is cooling the glow plugs - so when the fuel does eventually reach the injector the glow plugs are cold and it does not start.
When you try to start the second time, and warm the glow plugs, you have already 'primed' the fuel system and injectors with fuel, so it starts.
I had this issue on an old Mondeo. When I figured out what was happening all I done every morning was immediately start turning the engine over without the glow plug delay, then when the engine tried to start that signified fuel was reaching the injectors, and I'd then switch the ignition off for a few seconds, then turn ignition on and let the glow plugs warm up, then turn the engine over and it would start first time.
It may not be your problem but give it a try.
If it is air in your system air normally get into hose connections/filter joints etc and can be traced if you put clear diesel resistant tubing on- you can some times see an air pocket at the highest point in the morning when the car has been left standing all night. When I had the problem above, the leak was in the old 'jerk' pump gaskets so I wasn't going go messing with that pump.

Hi Tony, yes I've read about your Mondeo problem in another post. I did an experiment by priming the low-pressure fuel system several times prior to the first crank by it made no difference. I would expect air pockets in the low-pressure system to clear back to the tank line after 10 or so seconds of priming. In my case it made no difference unfortunitely...