[JamieMerc]

Hi!

Wonder if anyone can help identify a problem / potential solution.

I've had my 2014 Mercedes A180 diesel for 6 1/2 years. For as long as I’ve had it, it’s often struggled to start in cold weather, but always eventually started. Occasionally it would start, then quickly cut out (almost as if stalled) but it would always eventually allow me to start it and rev it up.

I’ve also been told that when starting it, I should wait for the glow plus symbol to go out before starting, but I never have 🤦‍♂️

this year, over the last month or so, I’ve had a few issues where I’ve started it quickly without waiting for the glow plug light and it hasn’t started. After this, when re-trying, the glow plug light no longer came on and the car would only start with a jump.

I’ve probably had to jump it 7 or 8 times in the last month because of this. I always put it down to a glow plug and bad habit issue.

this morning, however, I did wait for the glow plug light and it still didn’t start. Pretty sure this is the first time I’ve done it like this, but I tried to jump it.
it started twice, but instantly cut out both times as per what I’ve said it’s done previously in cold weather (albeit never while trying to jump it). After these 2 occasions, it now won’t turn over at all, even while trying to jump start it.

any suggestions / ideas?

[Rolebama]

FWIW: My first thought is air leak into the fuel system, allowing the fuel to run back into the tank, meaning that you would have to pump the fuel up again. This could account for struggling to start and cutting out.

[NMNeil]

Not enough information.
How many miles on the clock, when was the last time it was serviced, and due to those piezo electric injectors being so fussy to fuel contamination, when were the fuel filter(s) last changed?

[Seal]

Originally Posted by JamieMerc

Hi!

Wonder if anyone can help identify a problem / potential solution.

I've had my 2014 Mercedes A180 diesel for 6 1/2 years. For as long as I’ve had it, it’s often struggled to start in cold weather, but always eventually started. Occasionally it would start, then quickly cut out (almost as if stalled) but it would always eventually allow me to start it and rev it up.

I’ve also been told that when starting it, I should wait for the glow plus symbol to go out before starting, but I never have 🤦‍♂️

this year, over the last month or so, I’ve had a few issues where I’ve started it quickly without waiting for the glow plug light and it hasn’t started. After this, when re-trying, the glow plug light no longer came on and the car would only start with a jump.

I’ve probably had to jump it 7 or 8 times in the last month because of this. I always put it down to a glow plug and bad habit issue.

this morning, however, I did wait for the glow plug light and it still didn’t start. Pretty sure this is the first time I’ve done it like this, but I tried to jump it.
it started twice, but instantly cut out both times as per what I’ve said it’s done previously in cold weather (albeit never while trying to jump it). After these 2 occasions, it now won’t turn over at all, even while trying to jump start it.

any suggestions / ideas?

More info would be appreciated, specifically mileage but my first question would have to be ‘have the glow plugs ever been replaced’ at a service?

If you are having trouble starting and it’s cold weather or after the engine is hot then glow plugs would be the first thing to check. That can be done via an OBD if you have one, a good one will show which are faulty if any, if not and you are not comfortable or competent in using one then arrange for an RAC home visit and they will have that equipment. Next possible issue would have to be fuel pump ! Is it running? Has the fuel filter been changed? How many miles ago? Have you let the fuel run very low at any point? If so then muck could have got into the fuel system.

Number one though would be glow plugs, depending on mileage but they can breakdown occasionally even when new. If it’s that then you will get a very reasonable quote from the RAC Each plug is around £8+ labour to fit. Can be done at home by yourself but glow plugs (Mercedes) can be notoriously difficult to get out without breaking them so think carefully about what option you decide upon.