Hot and cold start TDI BEW issue

[cdnalpina]

Hey Everyone,

Been ages since I have posted here, just so much going on in my life. Anyway, my 04 TDI with the BEW engine has been acting up and I need to get it sorted out before winter sets in. so here's what is going on:

- If I have been driving the car so that it is at operating temperature, and I shut it off, it takes a good 5-10 seconds to start afterwards.
- If the ambient temperature is 15 degrees C or warmer, starting the car from cold is very close to how it should normally start
- When we have had the mornings where the temperatures are 10 degrees or less, it is very difficult to start. Even if I cycle the glow plugs 5 times it is still hard to start

Sometimes it will throw a CEL but after a while it clears itself. I sadly don't have a vag com so I am not sure what the code(s) is/are. If someone has any experience with these issues I would appreciate the input. also, if someone has a vag com that can scan my vehicle I would appreciate it if they could scan it for me - I'll bring beer

Many thanks,

Rob

[stefan]

Re: Hot and cold start TDI BEW issue

Here is a long and drawn out thread on what sounds like the same issue on my BHW. Short story is that it was the EGR misbehaving.

http://www.eurodrivers.ca/forums/sho...tarting-issues

[cdnalpina]

Re: Hot and cold start TDI BEW issue

Thanks Stefan. So based on your thread, do you think that maybe it is a combination of glow plugs and the EGR?

[stefan]

Re: Hot and cold start TDI BEW issue

I'd say if hot starts are an issue, it is less likely glow plugs. I think there was a glow plug recall or TSB on that car though.
You are getting codes though - I'd start by scanning it. Even if the CEL clears, the code should still be stored. I have VAGCOM in the NW if needed.

[CGDoig]

Re: Hot and cold start TDI BEW issue

Have you ever had the glow plug recalls performed on the car? There were two revisions, the first I think was ceramic plugs breaking into the car and the replacement steel ones caused hard start issues kind of like what you mentioned. The second revision fixed that problem. Might be worth looking into as well. Also if you have time tomorrow I'll be in the NW around 2pm. I'll bring my cable and laptop too. 403-636-1005

[shconer]

Re: Hot and cold start TDI BEW issue

Do you have the updated coolant sensor? If not start with that.

[cdnalpina]

Re: Hot and cold start TDI BEW issue

Thanks guys - great advise all around. I'll call VW today and see if the plug recall was ever done on my car - as I am not sure.

Stefen if I could meet you or swing by sometime to scan my car I would greatly appreciate it. Maybe just PM me as to when is convenient for you. I live in Cochrane but I will meet you wherever.

Cheers,

Rob

[stefan]

Re: Hot and cold start TDI BEW issue

Pm'd

[Stonewall]

Re: Hot and cold start TDI BEW issue

have you checked your tandem pump? If you have the plastic cover one it could be leaking which could cause staring issues.

[cdnalpina]

Re: Hot and cold start TDI BEW issue

A brief update. Stefen and Brent were so kind as to take a portion of their afternoon out on Saturday to help me look at the TDI. We eventually managed to get the car to spit out a fault code:

P0726: Engine Speed Input Circuit Range/Performance

I could be getting the code from the prolonged time it takes to start the beast when it is cooler out. Has anyone had any experience with this code and what the root cause was for it? In doing some google searching on it, several have found that replacing the engine speed/crank sensor has solved the issue. I think Brent is right though, I will replace the coolant sensor first and see what that resolves.

Any further input or suggestion are greatly appreciated!

Cheers,

Rob

[stefan]

Re: Hot and cold start TDI BEW issue

Glad we got the scan, finally! With my two scanners in my car, in the shop (which I totally forgot about), and two of Brent's being fussy! At least we got his Bluetooth one going!

Regarding the other stuff we found:

Doggie Collar Fix:
http://www.eurodrivers.ca/forums/sho...=doggie+collar

Pics are gone on this one, but I think this is the thread I had in mind relating to your strut towers:
http://www.eurodrivers.ca/forums/sho...t=strut+mounts

[cdnalpina]

Re: Hot and cold start TDI BEW issue

UPDATE!

So I had a friend with a snap on tool read the live values of mt TDI and we discovered that the crank position sensor (RPM sensor I think VW calls it) looked strange. Replaced it and my cold start issues are no more. My hot start issues still persist a little but, so I will be replacing the coolant sensor next to see if that totally solves all my starting issues.

Just wanted to let others know what the solution to my problem was in case they encounter the same sort of issue.

Cheers,

Rob

[BaggedGLI]

Re: Hot and cold start TDI BEW issue

UPDATE!

So I had a friend with a snap on tool read the live values of mt TDI and we discovered that the crank position sensor (RPM sensor I think VW calls it) looked strange. Replaced it and my cold start issues are no more. My hot start issues still persist a little but, so I will be replacing the coolant sensor next to see if that totally solves all my starting issues.

Just wanted to let others know what the solution to my problem was in case they encounter the same sort of issue.

Cheers,

Rob

One of the good few who actually updates a thread when the car is fixed!

Thanks Rob, let us know how the coolant temp sensor goes.

[stefan]

Re: Hot and cold start TDI BEW issue

Good to hear that you're making progress!

[witchcraftz]

Re: Hot and cold start TDI BEW issue

Thanks for the update. Glad you got some of it worked out.