Starting Procedure

[Alan Ginger]

I have a 2.0L TDI : My wife drives the van most days and has done since we got it a couple of years ago, I tend to drive it when we go away at the weekend.

Anyway I noticed this morning when she starts the engine she doesn’t wait until the dashboard lights go out before she turns the engine over. ( I do ) . We had a discussion about whether or not you had to wait until the lights went out or not. Is this just an old wives tale? I thought it was something to do with the ignition coil heating up

What is the opinion of the site? Should you wait a few seconds or just start the engine right away?

 

[The Flying Scotsman]

Definitely wait until the light goes out before turning the key.
It is for heating the ignition coils up. Which you can damage if you don’t.

 

[TallPaul_S]

Yep, the glow plug light needs to go out before starting the engine on any diesel.
This one:

In warm weather it goes out after a second or so, but when it's cold it'll take 5-10 seconds to be ready to start the engine.

 

[archersam]

although I've had older Banana engined diesels and done this never actually ever noticed the glowplug light.........

 

[Lubrown]

I’ve always waited - as others said it indicates the system (I thought glow plugs) are heating to the required temperature.

I did hear some vehicles start this process as soon as you unlock them, although not sure if a) that’s true or b) the relatively unsophisticated Transporter would do this.

 

[Dundee_Kev]

Most engines prep things when you unlock the vehicle. Just get in and start the engine.

Also, most modern cars will not activate the starter until the ECU has done all it's wizardy things. I know my T6 won't crank straight away, more noticeable as the weather cools.

 

[Alan Ginger]

Most engines prep things when you unlock the vehicle. Just get in and start the engine.

Also, most modern cars will not activate the starter until the ECU has done all it's wizardy things. I know my T6 won't crank straight away, more noticeable as the weather cools.

A man from my home town ( I am an Arab ) sounds like you are saying she might have a point - I can’t tell her that !!!! I am going to say the score is 4-1 to me

 

[Alster]

No need to wait on my 6.1 the starter won’t turn until it’s ready.

 

[Alan Ginger]

No need to wait on my 6.1 the starter won’t turn until it’s ready.

4- 2 I have a 2019 T6 - really old so I think my old van might not do that

 

[Deaky]

No need to wait on my 6.1 the starter won’t turn until it’s ready.

Same for my 2018 T6

 

[david173]

I always wait for the needle sweep and lights to go out. The extra few seconds to wait is never going to do it any harm and in my mind mechanical sympathy goes a long way over the life of the vehicle.
Same goes for taking it easy until the oil is up to temperature.
idling for a few seconds before switching off the engine.
and disabling the stop start.

 

[Alan Ginger]

Same for my 2018 T6

4-3

 

[Alan Ginger]

I always wait for the needle sweep and lights to go out. The extra few seconds to wait is never going to do it any harm and in my mind mechanical sympathy goes a long way over the life of the vehicle.
Same goes for taking it easy until the oil is up to temperature.
idling for a few seconds before switching off the engine.
and disabling the stop start.

A man after my own heart 5-3

 

[Skyliner33]

A man after my own heart 5-3

5-4

 

[gilesjuk]

On models with the Start Stop you're not cranking the engine directly from the key, its sending a signal. So I'd say if it wasn't ready to start it wouldn't crank. But if the weather is cold you must wait for the glow plug light to go out or you'll have to try more than once to start, produce a big cloud of smoke as well (bad for DPF too probably). On my T6 it also asks you to press the clutch in, which I've always done on every car I've owned.

Also noticed if you stall a T6 with start/stop it restarts the engine for you which is nice.

 

[Alan Ginger]

On models with the Start Stop you're not cranking the engine directly from the key, its sending a signal. So I'd say if it wasn't ready to start it wouldn't crank. But if the weather is cold you must wait for the glow plug light to go out or you'll have to try more than once to start, produce a big cloud of smoke as well (bad for DPF too probably). On my T6 it also asks you to press the clutch in, which I've always done on every car I've owned.

Also noticed if you stall a T6 with start/stop it restarts the engine for you which is nice.

I have a Start Stop my van is a DSG - I am still taking this point a bit ambitious I know but a point is a point 6-4

 

[TallPaul_S]

...6-4

Just remember...

 

[Skyliner33]

Just been out and read the owners manual. Page 131 starting the engine makes no mention of waiting.

 

[Alan Ginger]

Still 6-4 Skyliner already got a point

 

[oldiebut goodie]

Turn the key straight away, mine will then start when the glow plugs have reached the optimum temperature. No need to wait like in the old days.