Diesel starts slowly, battery ?

[Muffleman]

Hi all,

Mate of mine has an Alfa 159 2.4JTD. It has just started to turnover slowly, but then after the first revolution it then turns over normally. If a battery was on the way out, the engine would turnover okay for a split second and then turnover slowly. But is it different with diesels ? I'm clueless on oil burners !

If it is turning over slow and then normal, could it be battery ?

[gzaerojon]

do the dash lights go dim on the first crank?

[Muffleman]

No mate they don't, it's like it does one half-arsed rev and then it seems okay. Even when the engine is hot.

[fredm]

Yes it could be the battery, it could also be the Starter Motor, and it could also be a bad engine earth.

Check the engine earth strap is clean(not corroded) where it joins onto the engine also at the battery.

Nip into Kwikfit etc. for a free battery check, then nip round to ATS, National Tyres etc. for another free battery check, if they all say it's biffed then it probably is.

My money would be on the starter motor though.:)

[Muffleman]

Thanks matey :thumbs: