Member Since: 13 Nov 2018
Location: Bedfordshire
Posts: 49
Cold Start Issues (but glowers test ok)
So i was up in the Cotswolds the other week, it snowed and temp dropped to about -4deg, no problem I thought its a landrover, it will start. now i knew my FBH needed a service (done now) but it had a full set of plugs last year so didn't worry and in i got to start up and go play in the snow.....
It took me a good 10 mins to get it to catch, it would semi start and be extremely lumpy then die but eventually it did start with plumes of smoke out the back filling the carpark up.
I tested the glow plugs today. 20A ish per side and 6A ish per wire (sounds about right) so i presume they work. IAT was reading 7deg which was correct for the outside air temp, both MAP and MAF were giving readings when turning over.
Am i looking an an injector issue? or egr maybe? I have noticed a couple of times recently when cold starting (+5deg ish) its totally gutless and wont even reverse backwards up a small incline until its warmed up a bit.
22nd Dec 2022 2:30 pm
Flapper
Member Since: 04 Feb 2015
Location: Gloucester
Posts: 352
Hi
Could be the starter.
Check how fast it spins over should be a round 250 rpm ish Mine was 100rpm and was a pig to start in the cold, now has the new discovery 4 starter and spins over at 280rpm now starts in less than a second.
Proper fun in the Gloucestershire snow
22nd Dec 2022 2:52 pm
Shottyman
Member Since: 13 Nov 2018
Location: Bedfordshire
Posts: 49
not a bad shout, i didn't even think about a slow starter, i'll check that over the xmas week and see what its giving me. the battery was fresh last year so i'm discounting that.
22nd Dec 2022 3:20 pm
DSL Keeper of the wheelie bin
Member Since: 11 May 2006
Location: Off again! :-)
Posts: 73086
Injectors.
22nd Dec 2022 4:52 pm
M3DPO
Member Since: 22 Sep 2010
Location: Notts.
Posts: 8230
You've confirmed the heater plugs are working and it has started(so not the starter) but has no power this points to 1; EGRs, blank them if only temporary.
2; low fuel pressure, change fuel filter, check pressure when running.
3; Could be numerous other things get fault codes read.It can when others can't,
It will when others won't,
It goes where others don't.
22nd Dec 2022 7:46 pm
munst
Member Since: 16 Sep 2020
Location: GLOS
Posts: 155
Agreed with EGR blanking, its so quick todo and will rule them out. My 56 plate was a terrible cold starter when I first got it and I convinced myself it was glowplugs but after blanking EGRs it's completely solved. Last week it was firing straight up at -12.
23rd Dec 2022 8:12 am
DSL Keeper of the wheelie bin
Member Since: 11 May 2006
Location: Off again! :-)
Posts: 73086
So not injectors then.
23rd Dec 2022 8:27 am
Shottyman
Member Since: 13 Nov 2018
Location: Bedfordshire
Posts: 49
so i plugged in the iid tool for some figures for you all, no fault codes present.
cold start up (13deg outside):
Click image to enlarge
warmed up and after a run:
Click image to enlarge
i dont think these figures are too bad, they are within spec.
I'm currently leaning towards the EGR's, its been my plan to get them mapped out at some point anyway (been saving to have it remaped at the same time) so may just bring this plan forward a bit
23rd Dec 2022 2:22 pm
Flapper
Member Since: 04 Feb 2015
Location: Gloucester
Posts: 352
still check the starter rpm use the iid tool and graph it and the fuel pressure as well
look at this link and the difference mine was the second graph and the first one is a normal rpm
just because it starts, doesn't mean the starters ok.
I happens over time so you dont notice it slowing down.
I only notice when a discovery 4 started by me then i started mine the difference was like chalk and cheese.
check it
23rd Dec 2022 3:16 pm
Shottyman
Member Since: 13 Nov 2018
Location: Bedfordshire
Posts: 49
you could be right on the starter speed side of things, but more earth fault or a battery issue.
i've been testing a few different things regarding starting, i connected an additional earth with a jump lead from battery to block and the starter spin speed is amazingly fast.
so i'm thinking the main chassis-body-engine earth has issues. i may try and replace that cable (depending on how easy it is to get to) or install an additional cable somewhere from body-engine.
20th Jan 2023 3:25 pm
M3DPO
Member Since: 22 Sep 2010
Location: Notts.
Posts: 8230
Use a jump lead from battery earth to engine to test It can when others can't,
It will when others won't,
It goes where others don't.
20th Jan 2023 5:20 pm
Pete K
Member Since: 15 Jan 2016
Location: GL
Posts: 10684
He did that in the post above yours and it was useful.
I was thinking he should do engine to chassis metal now,
If you can find a decent bit of chassis metal
Both engine and battery earths are known to give problems u see
20th Jan 2023 5:23 pm
Shottyman
Member Since: 13 Nov 2018
Location: Bedfordshire
Posts: 49
yes, i will try and isolate it down a little so i can prove where the issue is but it was cold outside and i didnt fancy crawling under the car to find an earth point.
my plan is to go body to engine (i have a 2nd battery attached to the body than i can connect to) and then chassis to engine (maybe off the undertray or something) and see what gives me the better results.
means i can work out if its the negi cable from the battery causing the issue or the main body - chassis - engine cable.
20th Jan 2023 5:31 pm
Tim1961
Member Since: 07 Aug 2021
Location: Cardiff
Posts: 2
D3 no start in cold weather
I found a youtube video wher a guy poured hot water on one of the connectorsat the top front of the engine. It works for me everytime. Firstly remove the top sound deadening cover and look for a grey connector at the top front of the engine (sorry no photo) I used boiled water from a kettle. Pour over for about 5-10 seconds and the car will start on next try.
Before this my D3 would just crank and spew whiye smoke from the exhaust.
8th Feb 2024 1:10 pm
Shottyman
Member Since: 13 Nov 2018
Location: Bedfordshire
Posts: 49
strangly, ive not had the same issue since. that may be because ive not used it in "cold" weathers recently to test it, but while it still starts im not going to worry too much.
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