Hi all happy new year,How do you start a cold c5 hdi?

andy c5 · Unread post by **andy c5** » 04 Jan 2010, 21:10

Just a quick one how do you start a c5 hdi in the cold is there a methord? I just jump in and turn the key and it takes a bit to start and it smokes of un burnt diesel i notice there is no glow plug light to tell you when to turn the key, Is there another way to start i.e. turn the key slightly to start and hold before going to start?

Thanks all Andy

rmunns · Unread post by **rmunns** » 04 Jan 2010, 21:16

If it is really cold then you should turn key to ignition position, then wait for 5 seconds before firing up.

andy c5 · Unread post by **andy c5** » 04 Jan 2010, 21:21

Thanks ,Do you hold it slightly turned towards start or just on to ignition and waite a bit as there is no light that comes on for the glow plugs thanks andy

Unread post by **Paul-R** » 04 Jan 2010, 21:22

Does your external temperature read correctly? If the ECU thinks that it's in the middle of a heatwave then it'll be loathe to apply the glow plugs.

andy c5 · Unread post by **andy c5** » 04 Jan 2010, 21:33

yeah its fine temp reads right ,so do i need to turn on to ignition and wait 10 seconds or so before i try to start? andy

HDI · Unread post by **HDI** » 04 Jan 2010, 21:50

HDI glow plugs are only activated for a few seconds when the temp is freezing or below. For example , it was -3 when I started mine today and the glow symbol was only lit for 2-3 seconds. It will start but in cranks more than normal , so what I do is turn the key to the ignition on stage twice , then it tends to fire normally. Another tip is to depress the clutch when very cold starting , this removes the drag of the gearbox and gives the starter motor and battery an easier time !

Unread post by **myglaren** » 04 Jan 2010, 22:07

Never seen my glowplug light on.

It was -7°C the other day when I went out, it was a bit slow starting though, perhaps about 8".

I believe that the glow plugs stay on for a while after starting too, until a certain amount of revs is reached and or a certain temperature is achieved.

andy c5 · Unread post by **andy c5** » 04 Jan 2010, 22:24

snap, is there a glow plug light? never seen mine?
thanks andy

HDI · Unread post by **HDI** » 04 Jan 2010, 22:30

Have to say I don't know on a C5 but there is on a Xantia HDI.

Unread post by **myglaren** » 04 Jan 2010, 22:44

Now I'll have to try and find the handbook and see

TopDonkey · Unread post by **TopDonkey** » 04 Jan 2010, 22:55

Never seen a glowplug light on my C5 either, and i have been looking out for it each morning when i start as its taking about 5-8 seconds of cranking before it fires, then it runs rough for a few seconds and puts out some smoke before settling into a proper non smokey idle

HDI · Unread post by **HDI** » 04 Jan 2010, 23:18

My Xantia cranks a little more when really cold like this morning , but when it fires it runs clean immediately with virtually no smoke. I've always been surprised just how clean it is on start up , there is no smoke at all at normal temperatures.

lexi · Unread post by **lexi** » 04 Jan 2010, 23:50

Direct injection engines can generally start without glowplugs even in cold. Whereas an IDI wont. The plugs on Hdi will be on seconds and then hit the key. Apart from giving you an easier start they will go a long way to a clean warm up which is healthier for everything.

Many people with DI engines don`t know their glow plugs aren`t actually working because of this. If you put a meter on them you can see when they come on......remain on and then go off. It`s only a hunch but the DI plugs may have a shorter life in the more hostile engine environment of HDI. Glowplug relays could be problem here too.

Citroenmad · Unread post by **Citroenmad** » 05 Jan 2010, 09:51

There should be a glow pulg light yes, it should light just to the left and bottom of the speedo. Though i rarely see mine on and only for a few seconds when it is.

They do seem to take a bit longer to fire up in the cold so i have turned the ignition on twice and found that does make a difference.

Unread post by **Paul-R** » 05 Jan 2010, 09:59

To confirm, the C5 does has a glow plug light. Its similar to an electronic symbol representing a coil if you're used to reading circuit diagrams.