Engine turns over but will not strt

[oblio]

I am having trouble with my 03 TDI (60.000) miles, It starts fine most of the time but occasionally it will turn over and try to start but almost immediately dies. It has done this twice before but eventually starts. today it will not.

Thanks
Mike

[blockphi]

Is it particularly cold where you are located? What sounds does the engine make as it is turning over? Could you provide more detail about what exactly the car is doing? There are a number of things that could be causing this. You might also want to check out Fred's TDI forums. www.tdiclub.com. Give us some more details and we might be able to get you up and running again.

[BUGSTUFF]

When was the last time you changed your fuel filter? VW recommends every 20,000 miles.

[oblio]

I live in NC. so it really doesnt get that cold, it was probably about 60 degrees. My fuel filter was changed at 50 thousand miles. When i go to start the car it turns over quickly then just as it starts with the usual high rpms it dies. (this is hard to explain) I called the service department today and they said it could be either the glow plugs, or the glow plug harness.

[blockphi]

Have you checked the anti-shudder valve to make sure that it is moving freely? If it is not, it might signal that you need to clean out the intake manifold. I had to first clean mine around 70,000. Again, Fred's TDI Club will help you in finding the instructions on this, if you need to do it. Glow plugs are a possibility, as service mentioned.

[whitedog]

Originally Posted by oblio

I live in NC. so it really doesnt get that cold, it was probably about 60 degrees. My fuel filter was changed at 50 thousand miles. When i go to start the car it turns over quickly then just as it starts with the usual high rpms it dies. (this is hard to explain) I called the service department today and they said it could be either the glow plugs, or the glow plug harness.

The dealer is smokin' crack. At 60 degrees the glow plugs don't come on at all. Stay away from them if at all possible. Check out this thread and see if you can get it running.

[02AutoWag]

Originally Posted by whitedog

The dealer is smokin' crack. At 60 degrees the glow plugs don't come on at all. Stay away from them if at all possible. Check out this thread and see if you can get it running.

Whoa! Where the heck did that thread come from? I've never seen it before. Good work!

Due to the random nature and warm temperatures, my initial vote is anti-shutter valve too. Check thread above, #5. In my case, there was a cluster of hoses running past the shutter valve arm...the hoses would randomly catch the arm and hold it closed, thus starving the car of air. This would cause random cases of a no-start problem. I'm thinking that repeated starting attempts shook the car/engine enough that the hoses released the valve arm was free to operate as designed. It stranded my wife a block down the street as the valve was caught partially open, this allowed enough air to start but quickly died when asked to accelerate. Simply moving the hoses and securing them out of the way has rid us of any further problems.

[oblio]

Thanks everyone for the input, It was in fact the anti shudder valve. By looking at the picture it took about two seconds to open the cvalve and the car started right up.

Happy days are here again.

Mike & oblio thank you

[whitedog]

Originally Posted by oblio

Thanks everyone for the input, It was in fact the anti shudder valve. By looking at the picture it took about two seconds to open the cvalve and the car started right up.

Happy days are here again.

Mike & oblio thank you

Well you arne't out of the woods yet. Since the ASV stuck on you once, it will do the same thing again. You need to clean the EGR valve and the intake manifold so prevent it from happening again.