JK Auto CRD - Long Crank to start in morning

[VooDooJeep]

Hi Guys

Been awhile since have been on and I now find myself with a question I think someone might be able to help me with.

When I first go to start the Jeep in the morning it will take anything between 7 to 10 crank cycles before it starts, but it will always start.
But turn it off and try again and it will start within 2 to 3 cranks. So it is only when the Jeep has been sitting for awhile that it becomes hard to start.
It is good condition apart from needing an oil change and has only done 48K and has a new 950CC battery.

It has a provent on the crank case vent but the oil is soot black, which I suspect is the result of the EGR. The one thing which makes it hard to start is when it sits for awhile. I've checked and its not throwing up any DTC codes. The suggestions I had so far range from starter motor, to tank lift pump (drop in line pressure), to fuel cap stuffed and even that the dirty oil makes a difference. So before I started seeking expensive professional advice I thought it wise to see if any of you had experienced this problem with your CRD.

Cheers
Mick

[Yom]

Mine did this last year. Flashing ECU (there was a cold start bug for the JK CRD) made no difference, battery tested and result was "OK" so not needing to be replaced.

After about 6 months of slow starting the battery died. Nothing, zip nada zero zilch no power whatsoever. Tilt tray to the dealer...lol. Slow start issue hasn't re-occurred.

[VooDooJeep]

Did they ever say it was anything other than the battery? I'm thinking I might need to check my starter motor as it could be a bad contact and some of that mud has finally started to affect it. This new heavy equipment Century 950CC battery gives a major kick and thought it would solve the problem. Its a strange fault, the second start the same day is easy, will keep trying to fault find it.
Thanks for the reply.
Mick

[Bluey]

I live in a cold area and during winter this happens to me. I found that if you turn the key on and wait a good 5 seconds it will start easy. So i think that even though the glow plug light goes out fairly quickly the glow plugs must be still warming and needs a few more seconds.

I would be interested to see if this makes any difference to yours.

[TassieMav]

Firstly, are you waiting for the glow plug light to go out? As it gets colder in the mornings I find I have to remind myself to wait for the light to go out (you hardly see it on warm mornings).

Secondly, had exactly the same issue. Dud battery....

[Paul-JK]

Originally Posted by TassieMav

Firstly, are you waiting for the glow plug light to go out? As it gets colder in the mornings I find I have to remind myself to wait for the light to go out (you hardly see it on warm mornings).

I thought the JK's did this automatically. I just get in and turn the key. The car only tries to start when the glow plugs are warm. If it's cold I find that when I turn the key there might be a momentary delay before it tries to start (which I assume is the glow plugs warming up) but then it always kicks over in 2 or 3 attempts.

My only experience of it not starting was when the OE battery carked it after 18 months but that didn't give me any warning at all. One day it work then next day it didn't......well actually it was one minute it worked, the next minute it didn't.....right outside the dealers when I was picking it up from it's service. Quite handy really. Saved me having to trailer it back to them!

[davidd]

Originally Posted by Bluey

I live in a cold area and during winter this happens to me. I found that if you turn the key on and wait a good 5 seconds it will start easy. So i think that even though the glow plug light goes out fairly quickly the glow plugs must be still warming and needs a few more seconds.

I would be interested to see if this makes any difference to yours.

yep, i can agree with this one. had the same thing. turn on key , wait a few secs for glow plug light to go out, no start, turn key on, wait about 5 secs and starts first kick. just a glow plug warm-up issue i think.