Leon TDi Pre-Heat Starting

[LewisLeon]

Hi guys,

Before I start, would someone be able to link me up if there is already a thread on this? I've had a quick look but cant seem to find anything.

Basically my pre-heat light on the dash display never stays on for the 2-3 seconds it's apparently supposed to...it comes on then goes off again more or less straight away. This means its sometimes a bit hesitant to start from cold (and with winter coming I can't imagine it would be doing my car much good!) I'm guessing something in the engine is thinking its hot, and therefore not engaging the pre-heat...

If someone could help me out or if there is already something similar around that would be much appreciated...

 

[oldman]

mine has always been this quick and no issues with cold start or warm start or even hot start from stall!!
on really cold days i do turn to this point 2-3 times to heat them and then start

 

[Andrewcupra TDI]

i too have wondered , i remember leaving the light glow before starting , which i have to on the defender , which daces a decade ,

but the leon is instant ,

 

[stevei'D]

Had a recent prob with glow plugs so went to dealer and i mentioned the light doesn't stay on for long. Man from dealer he say...... With modern vehicles when you unlock the car the glow plug module kicks in (the item that was at fault for me replaced and no probs since) and begins to warm up the plugs, hence when you get in the light is barely on. As some one else mentioned for their defender, my old focus always needed a good 5-6 seconds before light went out. As for cold starting, even when the light goes out, give it another second or two then turn the key, should give a more confident start up.

Steve

 

[ChrisUK]

Mine stays on for about 3-4 seconds

 

[JamesL]

mine only stays on for 1 or 2 seconds, but I always give it a few seconds extra now - it always seems to start better after leaving it longer than if I turn it on striaght after the glow plugs go out.

Per a recently posted times article related to putting petrol in a derv, I think Steve is right... the pre ignition wait has been built into the car by starting as soon as you unlock the car. You think the cars starting quicker but actually its just starting to warm up before you realise.

 

[Andrewcupra TDI]

also heard the same theory, but the leon starts 1st time everytime, even with the glow plug fault im having , which im replacing this wkend hopefully