Sluggish or no start in 2002 Beetle TDI

[Flametamer123]

I have read these forums now for about 3 hrs with no luck. Ok I have a 2002 Beetle TDI 1.9. Yesterday I couldn't get it started it was 42 degrees F outside. Jump started and started fine. Today I had to go rescue the wife because it wouldn't start. Whe I got there I had read that disconnecting the engine coolant sensor would trick it into starting, and that worked, when I got her home I removed the old sensor and put in a new one, still having the problem. I metered the glow plugs same voltage as the battery, and with the coolant sensor disconnected I have voltage on all 4 connectors for the wires supplying the plugs, but nothing when the sensor is hooked up. Battery is really weak, and after charging when I bypass the sensor, the plugs will kill the battery, could all this be caused by a weak battery, will the plugs not turn on with a weak battery? Email responses to flametamer123@yahoo.com

[Smileybug]

I bet it is a bad battery. Diesels take a lot of juice to get started, especially once it gets colder out.

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[Flametamer123]

I put the new battery in today, started fine all day, we will see in the morning when cooler. Thanks for your help, keep your fingers crossed.