Stupid question time..

I previously had a Discovery TD5. I was always told to turn the key until the glow plug light went out and only then crank the engine. It used to take 1-2 seconds for the light to go out.

With the TD4e, the advice seems to be key in, clutch down, press button momentarily and wait for the engine to fire. This happens almost instantaneously. The cranking action sometimes goes on a fraction longer than others but always starts as soon as I press the button.

I thought the glow plugs had to heat before the engine was cranked? Do the plugs heat up really quick on the TD4e?

if it needs the glow plugs it will pause before firing

I'm over-thinking it then. I guess I was just used to the regular pause with the TD5 - with the TD4e it feels like I should pause before I hit the button, or there should be a pause after I hit it!

In this cold snap it pauses for a few seconds before fireing up after I press the start button. In warmer weather it starts almost instantaniously after pressing the start button .

I never had to use/wait for the glow plugs on both my TD5's and they always started first time.

In the current cold snap; first time start of the day I always put the key in an press the start button WITHOUT the foot on the brake pedal; count to say five; the foot on brake and start it.
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The 'self delay' uses less turns on the starter motor and a smoother first 30 seconds because the glows have had time to heat up.
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The auto delay only cuts in when our UK weather is well sub zero.
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Kind regards from Fred.
. 2010GS Auto ex Celeb, Santorini Black, 2011 facelift , spoiler, spats, mudflaps, LED footwell lamps, Witter detach,
Other cars:-
1958 & 1959 Austin J40 Pedal Cars under restoration (I make many J40 parts)
If you have an Austin J40 or Pathfinder Pedal Car looking for a new home pls PM me.
2009 Meriva

Thanks Fred - that makes sense to me!

The FL2 is designed to give automatic delay with glowplug operation at anything below 5 degrees centigrade, and at 'zero' a delay of 1.5 seconds which increases as it gets colder.

Take note, the ECU calculation is taken by the 'engine coolant temperature' and not the ambient outside temperature.

If this doesn't happen with your vehicle then it's not operating as it should. As an aside mine is delaying for about 1-2 seconds with glowplug indication these cold mornings

EY is spot on here and my car respondes exactly as he says. Doing what Fred proposes should not be necessary if your system is working properly.

In the realy cold weather I do the same as fred

I could do three pirouette's and a backward somersault before unlocking the car, does'nt make it right though.

It's meant to be auto, so, as said, push button momentarily and let it do it's thing. And I for one have seen EY pirouetting and his car didn't start any better!!

EYorkshire wrote:

The FL2 is designed to give automatic delay with glowplug operation at anything below 5 degrees centigrade, and at 'zero' a delay of 1.5 seconds which increases as it gets colder.

Take note, the ECU calculation is taken by the 'engine coolant temperature' and not the ambient outside temperature.

If this doesn't happen with your vehicle then it's not operating as it should. As an aside mine is delaying for about 1-2 seconds with glowplug indication these cold mornings

Correct.  Past: FL2 TD4 HSE Auto
Evoque SD4 Dynamic Lux Auto
Present: Audi A3 S Line.