Starting problems with my Vectra in the damp weather!

Bargin_Betty79

Hi,
I'm not sure if any of you have had a similar problem but my Vectra (diesel) wont start when the weathers damp, once its been jumped it runs fine for the rest of the day and for the last couple of days when the suns been out its started fine.
I'll probably take it to the garage if it happens again but just wondered if any of you had any idead's what could be causing this.
Thanks
BB X

Ebe_Scrooge

Sounds a bit odd - diesels don't tend to suffer from the damp so much as they don't have the electrical systems needed to provide a spark like petrols do. Does it turn over and just not fire, or do it not turn over at all ? If it's the latter, then I would suspect the battery is on its way out. Diesels tend to be heavier on the starting load drawn from the battery, and if it's on its last legs then it could be the cold / damp means a heavier load is being drawn. If you take it to any of the exhaust / tyre / battery places, they will usually test the condition of the battery for you for nothing. If the battery is on its way out then it's just a case of getting a new one ( shop around, as you'll find some big variations in prices for the same spec. battery ).

a&akay

Have you tried turning off and on again as soon as the pre-heater light goes out (usually a coil symbol). I used to do this with my Peugeot 205 during cold spells and it started OK on the second attempt as there was more heat to initiate the self combustion. It had a pre-heating period dependant on the outside temperature and it was this that was probably faulty.

Bargin_Betty79

Ebe Scrooge & a&akay, Thanks for your replies.
It turns over but doesn't actually kick in, after its initially been jump started once its fine for the rest of the day. I'll will try turning if on and off again though if its happens again.
I'll pop into my local garage though and get the battery checked out tomorrow.
BB xx

roswell

^ battery sounds like the best place to start if the battery checks out ok get some new glow plugs in, diesel plug are only used to heat the engine for the initial start but if its not turning at all and we are in milder weather now battry is probably the fault.