octavia cold start problem

Jim79

The mechanic is baffled by a problem with a 03 octavia automatic diesel. From cold the car is very difficult to start. mechanic has checked the obvious things and used a computer but the car does not show an error reading. Their has been alot of heat generated at the black wire junction on top of the battery(see image). has anyone encountered this problem before?

kasper

electrical connection overheat if the connection is loose or corroded i would undo the connections one by one clean them with sandpaper coat them in vasaline or light grease and re assemble

Jim79

The black box has just been replaced due to melting!

anon11

power at the heater plugs?:) check with a voltmeter

Mr Benevolent

Similiar problem:

TDI Beetle battery fusebox melting & hard to start

Solution was to replace the battery.

(Can't imagine a TDI Beetle tbh)

Crosshair

Difficult Cold Start
1. Check Heater Plugs
2. Coolant Temp Sens failed causing not long enough preheat time
3. Diesel Leak Back
4. Inj pump dynamic timing (think ive only ever seen this as hot problem)

Wire Melting
1. This is the alternator charging wire/fuse
Check alternator output voltage, battery voltage/drop test
2. Have seen this on couple of taxis with lights on all night, connections had to be replaced
Hope to be of some help

Jim79

The battery in situ measures 12.7V. i will 'jump start' the car tomorrow in the morning with another car. should it start straight away with another battery connected we could have our solution.