Starting hesitation

[muddyboots]

Anyone else have the same problem ?

Car is an 03 TDI Sport with 98k on the clock.

Whenever I turn the key to start up first thing in the morning, there's a noticeable delay between turning the key to the start position, and the starter bursting into life. Up to a couple of seconds on occasion.
On subsequent starts it's usually normal, so it would seem to be only when the engine is stone cold.

Any ideas ?

 

[Guinness]

mine has a bit of a delay when cold. Part of being a diesel I think that and my battery is fubar.

 

[Niall]

I would say battery or glow plugs, most likely to be battery as the car is already 5 years old. Can't remember if the battery is low maintenance or not, if not try filling it up with distilled water

 

[muddyboots]

I don't think it's the battery or glow plugs - as once the starter kicks in, it turns the engine over at normal rate and it starts fine.

It's a time delay between turning the key to the start position, and anything happening....

 

[Nath.]

do you always get the delay ? does it somtimes not turn the starter at all and need a second try ?

I'm thinking dirty contacts on a relay as the delay is not a set time length

or maybe the solinoid for thr dog gear thingy on the starter motor is sticky

on the fancy starter motors the dog gear must engage before the motor starts to turn or the teeth chew up

I have never seen a VAG starter motor so this is just a guess really

I know you're a clever chap Lee, I think if the starter is easy to get to maybe you should remove/strip/clean it as it's probably full of motor brush debris