Cold Start

[jmkent]

My 407 seems to take longer to start in the morning, particularly when cold - takes 3-4 secs, whereas when warm, it will start instantly. Heater plugs were all changed 6 months ago, even though these shouldn't be needed as temp is only about 4-5degC.

Do your 407s take similar time to start when cold, or is it indicating my battery could be losing performance (hasn't been changed in the 2yrs I've owned the car, and don't know about before then)?

If it could be the battery, how do I test it? Was showing 12.5V the other day when putting a multimeter across it.

Any other ideas, or is this normal

[fhmboy]

On the last three modern diesels I've owned this has been the case, one was from new so I wouldn't worry too much

[danthevan]

i'd agree with the above. If it's 10 seconds, then you start looking into it

[sebasteeno]

Mine was like that till i changed the battery but now it starts almost instantly even when cold

[jmkent]

Well its no way near 10 secs - probably seems longer than it really is.

A new battery might improve it, but for the sake of a couple of secs, I don't think that warrants a new one just yet

Won't go worrying about it anymore

Thanks guys

[trem1]

put a new battery on mine about 6 weeks ago and now its cold the engine does maybe 3 revolutions before it starts from cold

[john_h]

same here trem...got one of the halfrauds silver calcium heavy duty bosche ones...starts on or around 3rd

[sterion75]

Bit of a process I hear to disconnecting a battery from a 407. I only heard about it due to this forum. If you get a discharge tester on it jmkent it will show up bad cells, also while there a check on the alternator output would be useful.
There is a guy on u tube doing starter motor overhauls might be of interest to you all.

[jmkent]

Timed it this morning - 1-2secs tuning over then fired up fine.... so not as long as I thought

[jmkent]

Well, it took longer to start today (coldest day here since last winter) so I decided to do some testing. Checked the voltage after coming home from work, 12.7V... left it an hour, re-checked and it had dropped to 12.3V So went Halfords for the free battery check, and end result, it is a duff battery with only 52% charge.
So, bought a new 780Ah Bosch battery and fitted tonight. Starts instantly now... lets see if it will after the freeze tonight

I'm also hoping it might cure the random handbrake warning I get when starting the car