Hi,

I have a 162k mileage 2013 63 plate 1.6 TDI. It's running brilliantly but the only niggle is that it takes a while to start from cold. I leave the ignition on to allow it to "warm up" but the starter motor is going for maybe 6 or 7 seconds until it fires up. There's nothing to say that the battery is on it's way out (it is the original battery) as the starter motor is running fine (not slow or lethargic) and also once started, it's running 100% fine from cold (no rough idle or spluttering or anything), just takes a while to start.

If I start it from "warm" maybe 2 hours later - no issues at all, pretty much instant.

Anyone know what's up with it? As it's only worth a couple of grand, I really need to leave it and hope that it does not get worse or have a cheap fix. I've had the car from new, and as i said - it's running well and still returning 70mpg from sensible motorway driving!

Many thanks for your help

Julian

Edited August 31, 2025Aug 31 by fletchdirect

The battery is dying, and to honest it's a miracle it is not completely dead. A failing battery may well crank the starter motor, but its power supply will not be stable enough to operate the delicate ignition electronics. Five years is all most batteries can be relied upon.

Thanks for your help Cliff. The battery is the original, so it's lasted 12 years old. If I leave the ignition on for a bit it does start quicker and I'm not getting any "battery low" sign BUT I am getting the orange "check engine" light staying on on ignition, but going out once started. Could that be hinting at the battery? Its a start/stop car so it will be an AGM battery - but will that need coding to the car at the dealer or is it a DIY job for me?

The lack of a low battery warning means nothing. You could probably measure a voltage of 12 volts but that also means nothing. You could get the battery professionally tested to reveal internal defects, but at 12 years old it undoubtedly needs to be renewed. The new battery will certainly need coding to the car, which can be done if you have a professional quality code reader, or a suitably equipped garage can do it.

It is quite possible the "check engine" light is a result of the dying battery, which can also cause other apparently unrelated electrical faults.

2 hours ago, fletchdirect said:

Hi,

I have a 162k mileage 2013 63 plate 1.6 TDI. It's running brilliantly but the only niggle is that it takes a while to start from cold. I leave the ignition on to allow it to "warm up" but the starter motor is going for maybe 6 or 7 seconds until it fires up. There's nothing to say that the battery is on it's way out (it is the original battery) as the starter motor is running fine (not slow or lethargic) and also once started, it's running 100% fine from cold (no rough idle or spluttering or anything), just takes a while to start.

If I start it from "warm" maybe 2 hours later - no issues at all, pretty much instant.

Anyone know what's up with it? As it's only worth a couple of grand, I really need to leave it and hope that it does not get worse or have a cheap fix. I've had the car from new, and as i said - it's running well and still returning 70mpg from sensible motorway driving!

Many thanks for your help

Julian

Hi it more than likely that the glow plugs need changing, classic symptoms are it being easier to start when warm and being difficult when cold, easy test cycle the ignition on until the glow plug light goes out and repeat that at least twice if it improves the start thats your answer, no point in just leaving ignition on as the plug duty cycle expires and they just cool down again.

Steve.