1996 passat TDi no start

[craig1010cc]

Evening all

Had 2 instances now where my passat (96 IZ TDi) wouldn't start. Both times, the engine cranking fine, but the glowplug light hasn't come on. 1st time (24th) I had just parked up and jumped back in to repark a bit better. after 2 goes it still wouldn't start to left it for a couple of hours and it started on the button, 2nd time was just now. Its been sat for a couple of days, jumped in it and it was cranking, but no life (or glow plug light). tried a 2nd time and after about 4 cranks the glow plug light lit and it fired straight up. When I got back, tried a few times, light came straight on each time.

Any thoughts?

Cheers

Craig

[RobinJI]

Are the other dash lights coming on when the glow-plug one doesn't? As in oil-pressure and hand brake?

[ben711200]

Have you checked the stop solenoid? The glow plugs not coming on shouldn't make it impossible to start but will obviously make it harder work. Are the glowplugs and stop solenoid on the same circuit?

[tonka12]

relay 109

[craig1010cc]

All the other lights are coming on, and it doesn't normally need he glow plugs once its warm (like the 1st time and there wasn't even a cough of it trying).

I've heard about the relay 109 being problamatic, what does it do??

[The Transplanter]

Sounds very much like the fuel pump relay (109)

when the relay fails it doesnt open the solonoid on the fuel pump. It always starts as an intermitant problem.

They are about £6 new

easy way to tell, if it happens again run a live wire from the battery to pump solonoid, if the relay is a fault it will then start

[Harold Ramp Bumface Fandango]

Apologies for tagging this on someone else's thread, but would this (fuel pump relay) apply to other VAG group products with the same engine?
Have an 80 TDi (85/90bhp) amd occasionally when running and warm it conks out then can take anywhere between five minutes and an hour to start again. It still turns over fine but nothing seems to happen. RAC man said it's not a problem with the fuel itself as it was nice and clear with no bits or water in it.

[froggy]

seen this a few times on vw and seat diesels .also check that the box with the engine loom connections is sealed properly as ive found one that had been opened and not fastened down to the bulkhead and water runs down into the fuse box and fly by wire throttle assembly .

sounds like the relay though

[Harold Ramp Bumface Fandango]

Has anyone got a link for the realy somewhere please? Seen a couple on eBay but they are crazy money second hand!

[craig1010cc]

best place I can find is VW, they will have 1 in on Tuesday for £17 so hopefully that will sort it

[chairchild]

Just add an extra relay, with an ignition live to power the stop solonoid?

[ben711200]

Jan 1, 2012 13:20:18 GMT chairchild said:

Just add an extra relay, with an ignition live to power the stop solonoid?

I did exactly this when stranded as a 'temporary' repair. I've never felt the need to change it... It cost approximately one rummage in my toolbox for a suitable relay and a few lengths of wire