Starting problem VW Golf 3bg 1.9 PD AVF

Hello everyone.

I'm having the following problem.
'In freezing temperatures, it sometimes struggles to start, or it cranks for 1-2 seconds before it actually ignites.'
'If I let it sit for a while and then restart it, it starts without any problems. The same symptom occurs with a warm engine. It takes 1-2 seconds of cranking before it starts. This symptom occurs rarely, about 1-2 times a week. There is no loss of power.'
Exchanged items: battery, glow plugs, coolant sensor, diesel filter, return valve.
Engine: AVF 1.9 TDI, 130 hp, 140,000 km.
What else could it be?
I would appreciate any advice you can offer.

Hi Flo!

It could be everything, or it could be nothing.
Sorry, but without a crystal ball, it's impossible to provide a more detailed answer to the problem description here .

But you have two options:
1.) Keep replacing parts based on suspicion, hoping that something will eventually improve, or...
2.) Acquire a proper diagnostic tool (available from our shop) and use it to narrow down the error through measurement and logical analysis.

By doing option 2, you'll certainly save a lot of money and time, and you'll also fulfill the terms and conditions, which you definitely read very carefully.

Best regards from Passau!

Okay, I was just wondering if there might be a specific component that's known to cause these symptoms. My pre-lift pump in the tank isn't working every time I start the car, and the VW manual doesn't provide any detailed information about the pump.

Flo15 wrote:

... Because my pre-lift pump in the tank doesn't work every time I start the engine...

That's perfectly fine too!

It's strange that the pre-lift pump hasn't been audible for almost three weeks, even though my girlfriend has the exact same car, which usually has the pump running when the ignition is turned on. Is there possibly a sensor that communicates with the pump based on the existing fuel pressure? Or could the occasional sputtering be related to a fuel line issue?

DieselBär30x wrote:

By doing option 2, you'll certainly save a lot of money and time, and you'll also fulfill the terms and conditions, which you definitely read very carefully. Best regards from Passau!

Read?

Regards, Mpire.

I would prefer to solve the problem without using VCDS, as I'm not familiar with log values or similar things. I'm hoping for advice regarding potentially defective valves, hoses, or other components.

Hi Flo!

Of course, we have advice, that's no problem at all:
Try replacing the ZK (likely referring to a specific component), as it sometimes causes issues due to incorporated PDEs (likely referring to a specific type of data or process).
And while you're at it, I'd also like you to re-test all the pressure discharge valves (PDVs), as they sometimes fail.
With that amount, you should be able to cover the most essential expenses, roughly around 3,000 to 3,500 EUR.

...and I'll gladly say it twice - just for you:
Or, you could invest a fraction of that amount in decent diagnostic equipment and only repair what is actually broken.
Without that, you won't get anywhere with your approach (except for option 1, of course)!
We are happy to assist you if you need help, whether you purchased VCDS from our shop or have a support key. You don't need to be an expert to use it.

Im übrigen finanziert sich das Forum über RKS-VCDS und - ich sag's auch hier gerne ebenfalls 2x - deshalb gibt es Nutzungsbedingungen, die zu lesen u. zu beachten sind. AI feel the same way about you!!

Sorry for the blunt tone, but it seems you either don't understand or don't want to understand, despite my attempts to be polite.

Best regards from Passau!

Flo15 wrote:

I would like to solve the problem without using VCDS, as I am not familiar with log values, etc.

It's like trying to repair a TV without a multimeter or oscilloscope. You can just forget about it.

Quote:

I'm more hoping for advice regarding defective valves, pipes, or other issues.

If there were any irregularities, you would have definitely found them using the search function.

If someone tells you, "Check the crankshaft speed!", how are you supposed to verify that without a suitable (accurate) measuring device?
The ignition timing is crucial for TDIs; it's the "A" and "O" of the engine. You could have easily found that information 100 times using the search function.
Exactly, and there could be 100 other reasons as well.