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

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

Post by andy c5 »

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
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Post by rmunns »

If it is really cold then you should turn key to ignition position, then wait for 5 seconds before firing up.
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Post by andy c5 »

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
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Post by Paul-R »

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.
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andy c5
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Post by andy c5 »

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
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Post by HDI »

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 !
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Post by myglaren »

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.
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Post by andy c5 »

snap, is there a glow plug light? never seen mine?
thanks andy
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Post by HDI »

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

Now I'll have to try and find the handbook and see :(
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Post by TopDonkey »

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
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Post by HDI »

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.
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Post by lexi »

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.
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Post by Citroenmad »

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.
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Post by Paul-R »

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.
As I get older I think a lot about the hereafter - I go into a room and then wonder what I'm here after.

Inside every old person is a young person wondering what the hell happened.

"Trying is the first step towards failure" ~ Homer J Simpson​
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