TDCi Bad Cold Start

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Mike - 19 Mar 2007 21:23 GMT

Hi All

I have a 2005 Focus TDCi 115 Zetec Climate that I have owned from new. It
now has 17K on the clock.

I have noticed recently in this cold snap it does not start instantly, even
if the heater is used - this being from stone cold. It will fire on the
first turn over then stop and then start on the second turn over of the
engine if the key is not released. Sometimes you think it has started
instantly and release the key only to find it has not started. On the second
attempt however it starts instantly. In all other aspects it is perfect.

Do other owners experience this or is there a problem, as other Turbo
Diesels I have driven seem to start instantly with no heater usage whatever
the weather.

Please reply to the group - Thanks - Mike

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Ivan - 19 Mar 2007 22:32 GMT

|| Hi All
||
[quoted text clipped - 12 lines]
|| Diesels I have driven seem to start instantly with no heater usage
|| whatever the weather.

I've got a 51 plate TDCI which exhibits similar symptoms, even in quite cold
weather it fires into life instantly on turning the key.

However when the temperature reaches below freezing I find that it fires ok
but will not continue to run and it can take up to four turns on the key
before it eventually does so.

No big deal I agree, but when one is so used to the engine bursting into
life at a touch, it can be a tad disconcerting when it doesn't start first
time.

|| Please reply to the group - Thanks - Mike

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Tim.. - 20 Mar 2007 10:14 GMT

> || Hi All
> ||
[quoted text clipped - 25 lines]
> life at a touch, it can be a tad disconcerting when it doesn't start first
> time.

In both cases a replacement FPS and firmware upgrade will solve your
problem. Basically the ECU is starting injection before the High Pressure
pump has had chance to build enough pressure in the common rail, so it
starts, then stops.

This is a very well known issue.

Tim..

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Mike - 21 Mar 2007 22:07 GMT

Hi Tim

Thanks for your reply and others.

Could I ask you what a FPS is ?

Thanks - Mike

>> || Hi All
>> ||
[quoted text clipped - 35 lines]
>
> Tim..

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Tim.. - 21 Mar 2007 23:51 GMT

> Hi Tim
>
[quoted text clipped - 3 lines]
>
> Thanks - Mike

Fuel Pressure Sensor. (screwed into the circular rail in the case of the
Focus)

Tim..

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Paul - 25 Mar 2007 17:55 GMT

>> Hi Tim
>>
[quoted text clipped - 8 lines]
>
> Tim..

Hi All

I have (or sounds like I have) exactly the same problem with my 53 plate 115
PS Focus TDCi. Occasionally fails to start first time of asking when the
weather is cold but starts second time no problem at all. Roughly how much
does it cost to have a dealer replace the FPS - are they expensive to buy?

As a slight aside could this also be the cause of a very slight 'lag' in
acceleration sometimes? It's not there all the time but occasionally when
you want that boost at high speed it feels like a slight misfire or the
engine holding back momentarily. It's driving me insane as the Ford dealers
have just done a diagnostic check and couldn't find anything wrong.

Cheers

Paul.

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Tim.. - 25 Mar 2007 21:34 GMT

>>> Hi Tim
>>>
[quoted text clipped - 23 lines]
> dealers have just done a diagnostic check and couldn't find anything
> wrong.

Probably either Software issue or EGR valve sticking, both of which are very
common on the TDCI.

Having said that though, the TDCi is renown for hesisation when asking for
power after running at a very light throttle for a time.

Tim..

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Paul - 26 Mar 2007 06:23 GMT

Hi All

>> I have (or sounds like I have) exactly the same problem with my 53 plate
>> 115 PS Focus TDCi. Occasionally fails to start first time of asking when
[quoted text clipped - 16 lines]
>
> Tim..

Tim

Thanks for that. I have just had the software updated on my Focus but no
luck at all with either the cold start or power problem. I previously owned
an 03 plate Focus, same model and gad no problems at all.

What's an EGR valve and is it a big/costly job to have this replaced and
also the FPS?

Cheers

Paul

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