Pre-heating (diesel owners)

dxb335d · 12-02-2008, 05:10 AM

I started my car up the other day, the outside temp 3c. Car took a second longer than normal to start and on the dash it came up with

''Pre-heating''

I suppose it was cold enough that it was somehow heating the glow plugs up so she started. Pretty cool i think.

anyone else had this? it might even only be on the twin turbo i aint sure? First time ive seen it in lots of miles.

- Paul - · 12-02-2008, 05:15 AM

Think it does it on all the diesels if cold enough - it starts as soon as you unlock the car

dxb335d · 12-02-2008, 05:16 AM

Oh right, all i noticed was that i press starter button and it happened.

- Paul - · 12-02-2008, 05:42 AM

Was it -3 or 3?

dxb335d · 12-02-2008, 05:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by - Paul -

Was it -3 or 3?

3c

- Paul - · 12-02-2008, 05:51 AM

Surprised at that - I've only ever seen it when its been freezing and I haven't unlocked the car until I've got to it.

mistry · 12-02-2008, 05:56 AM

I've never seen that, went out the other day and it was 0c. but if you say it was only a second or so I may have missed it, but I did see a glow plug symbol breifly flash. Did yours flash up a glow plug too?

Dave_3 · 12-02-2008, 06:03 AM

I think I have briefly seen that.

Probably because you don't give enough time for the pre-glow sequence.

I'm taking it you jumped straight in and immediately reached for the start button.

Can happen if you leave your door open for a little time, as it will not sit on the pre-glow sequence indefinitely.

D.

dxb335d · 12-02-2008, 06:25 AM

I thiught it would be ignition activated, ie press the starter button. For all the car knows you could be unlocking it to reach for yout wallet only.

AlanQS · 12-02-2008, 06:56 AM

I had the impression that the glow plug light - and therefore pre-heating only came on when you intended to start the car. It hasn't been cold enough to need more than a split second before starting.

Would be interesting to see what happens if starting at -15C. (We get that up here sometimes!)

Dave_3 · 12-02-2008, 07:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dxb335d

I thiught it would be ignition activated, ie press the starter button. For all the car knows you could be unlocking it to reach for yout wallet only.

Starts when you unlock the door.

You can also hear all the SatNav DVD and iDrive startup as you unlock a door. It also starts to boot up before you switch on.

D.

dxb335d · 12-02-2008, 07:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dave_3

Starts when you unlock the door.

You can also hear all the SatNav DVD and iDrive startup as you unlock a door. It also starts to boot up before you switch on.

D.

Ive heard all those noises before. But then why did it come up the dash then? After key in slot etc and button pressed.

mjh93sa · 12-02-2008, 07:56 AM

Because either you were too slow or too fast and it didn't have the glowplug up to temp to start the car.

As said it will pre-emptively start the glow plugs when you open the door to get in. Most of the time it's then ready to start at the touch of the button. However, if you take too long it will time out, or if it's really cold it might not have had time to get to it's happy place.

dxb335d · 12-02-2008, 07:57 AM

I dont see how the door is connected to it..?

Dave_3 · 12-02-2008, 08:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dxb335d

I dont see how the door is connected to it..?

The door triggers the pre-glow (which you don't normally notice) so by the time you have opened the door, got in and pressed the start-up button it has already "glowed" the plugs. But it won't pre-glow indefinitely and will power down to prevent battery drain (as the iDrive does to) - were you rummaging about in the boot, or popped back into the house, or super fast on entry ?

Bottom line: Don't worry about it, there are times it could happen.

If it starts happening regularly pop into the dealer.

D.

dxb335d · 12-02-2008, 08:20 AM

I aint worried Dave. Is it just connected to the drivers door?

Dave_3 · 12-02-2008, 08:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dxb335d

I aint worried Dave. Is it just connected to the drivers door?

I can't say exactly. Seems logical though

But I think it will be linked to your central locking more than the drivers door. I am sure it mentions something in the manual ....

I have the central locking setup (using CA) to only open up the door I touch (not all the doors). Haven't tested if it pre-glows on the drivers side and not the passenger side.

There's something you can test for us next time you are bored of an evening

Rush out, open the passenger door, leap in and see if you see that sign.

D.

Jules6 · 12-02-2008, 08:31 AM

My 325d Coupe did this the other day.
I went to start it straight away to start the defrosting process whilst I got back out to scrape the ice off the windscreen.

TMP · 12-02-2008, 04:54 PM

The 5er did this the other day too - must be the colder weather as not noticed it before (dont recall this with my last 530d though!)

SoYank · 12-02-2008, 05:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dxb335d

I started my car up the other day, the outside temp 3c. Car took a second longer than normal to start and on the dash it came up with

''Pre-heating''

I suppose it was cold enough that it was somehow heating the glow plugs up so she started. Pretty cool i think.

anyone else had this? it might even only be on the twin turbo i aint sure? First time ive seen it in lots of miles.

My petrol engine don't need no stinkin' pre-heating.

SixDegrees · 12-03-2008, 12:57 PM

Now and again I get the glow-pulg, there's a wee pause and it kicks into life. Will try the above to see what the timing / sequence of events is.

Was -6 this morning, so def had glow plug for about 2 secs!

dxb335d · 12-03-2008, 01:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SixDegrees

Now and again I get the glow-pulg, there's a wee pause and it kicks into life. Will try the babe to see what the timing / sequence of events is.

Was -6 this morning, so def had glow plug for about 2 secs!

Cheers, let us know

12-02-2008, 05:10 AM	#1
dxb335d The Tarmac Terrorist 1015 Rep 29,344 Posts Drives: 997.2 GT3 Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: ''Fandango Towers'' iTrader: (3) Garage List 2010 Porsche 997.2 GT3 [9.50] 2003 BMW E46 M3 [6.00] 2007 BMW E92 335D [5.50]	Pre-heating (diesel owners) I started my car up the other day, the outside temp 3c. Car took a second longer than normal to start and on the dash it came up with ''Pre-heating'' I suppose it was cold enough that it was somehow heating the glow plugs up so she started. Pretty cool i think. anyone else had this? it might even only be on the twin turbo i aint sure? First time ive seen it in lots of miles. __________________ 997.2 GT3
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12-02-2008, 05:15 AM	#2
- Paul - Major General 756 Rep 7,308 Posts Drives: see above. Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Yorkshire, UK iTrader: (5) Garage List 2005 320D SE [10.00] 2005 645 [9.00]	Think it does it on all the diesels if cold enough - it starts as soon as you unlock the car __________________ My Photos
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12-02-2008, 05:16 AM	#3
dxb335d The Tarmac Terrorist 1015 Rep 29,344 Posts Drives: 997.2 GT3 Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: ''Fandango Towers'' iTrader: (3) Garage List 2010 Porsche 997.2 GT3 [9.50] 2003 BMW E46 M3 [6.00] 2007 BMW E92 335D [5.50]	Oh right, all i noticed was that i press starter button and it happened. __________________ 997.2 GT3
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12-02-2008, 05:42 AM	#4
- Paul - Major General 756 Rep 7,308 Posts Drives: see above. Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Yorkshire, UK iTrader: (5) Garage List 2005 320D SE [10.00] 2005 645 [9.00]	Was it -3 or 3? __________________ My Photos
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12-02-2008, 05:51 AM	#6
- Paul - Major General 756 Rep 7,308 Posts Drives: see above. Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Yorkshire, UK iTrader: (5) Garage List 2005 320D SE [10.00] 2005 645 [9.00]	Surprised at that - I've only ever seen it when its been freezing and I haven't unlocked the car until I've got to it. __________________ My Photos
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12-02-2008, 05:56 AM	#7
mistry Captain 49 Rep 827 Posts Drives: F11 530D Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: South West iTrader: (1)	I've never seen that, went out the other day and it was 0c. but if you say it was only a second or so I may have missed it, but I did see a glow plug symbol breifly flash. Did yours flash up a glow plug too?
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12-02-2008, 06:03 AM	#8
Dave_3 Brigadier General 658 Rep 3,447 Posts Drives: G22 M440D Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: CH / SCO iTrader: (0) Garage List 1973 Escort RS2000 MK1 [10.00]	I think I have briefly seen that. Probably because you don't give enough time for the pre-glow sequence. I'm taking it you jumped straight in and immediately reached for the start button. Can happen if you leave your door open for a little time, as it will not sit on the pre-glow sequence indefinitely. D. __________________ Escort Mk1 RS2000 (2.1 2x44IDFS, BVH, Kent FR32, 5spd, 180 BHP) : M440D ¦ Previously : F32 435D : F32 430D M Sport sDrive, 335D E92 2006
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12-02-2008, 06:25 AM	#9
dxb335d The Tarmac Terrorist 1015 Rep 29,344 Posts Drives: 997.2 GT3 Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: ''Fandango Towers'' iTrader: (3) Garage List 2010 Porsche 997.2 GT3 [9.50] 2003 BMW E46 M3 [6.00] 2007 BMW E92 335D [5.50]	I thiught it would be ignition activated, ie press the starter button. For all the car knows you could be unlocking it to reach for yout wallet only. __________________ 997.2 GT3
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12-02-2008, 06:56 AM	#10
AlanQS Colonel 248 Rep 2,815 Posts Drives: Jaguar XE P250 HSE Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Glasgow iTrader: (0) Garage List 2016 430i m-sport G ... [0.00]	I had the impression that the glow plug light - and therefore pre-heating only came on when you intended to start the car. It hasn't been cold enough to need more than a split second before starting. Would be interesting to see what happens if starting at -15C. (We get that up here sometimes!)
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12-02-2008, 07:56 AM	#13
mjh93sa Major General 148 Rep 5,080 Posts Drives: 530d Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Gloucestershire iTrader: (0) Garage List 2012 BMW M135i [10.00] 2011 Mini Countryma ... [5.50]	Because either you were too slow or too fast and it didn't have the glowplug up to temp to start the car. As said it will pre-emptively start the glow plugs when you open the door to get in. Most of the time it's then ready to start at the touch of the button. However, if you take too long it will time out, or if it's really cold it might not have had time to get to it's happy place. __________________ Gone: Fiesta - Focus - E46 320dSE - E91 330dMSport - E82 135iMSport - R55 JCW Clubman - M135i Now: 530d
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12-02-2008, 07:57 AM	#14
dxb335d The Tarmac Terrorist 1015 Rep 29,344 Posts Drives: 997.2 GT3 Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: ''Fandango Towers'' iTrader: (3) Garage List 2010 Porsche 997.2 GT3 [9.50] 2003 BMW E46 M3 [6.00] 2007 BMW E92 335D [5.50]	I dont see how the door is connected to it..? __________________ 997.2 GT3
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12-02-2008, 08:20 AM	#16
dxb335d The Tarmac Terrorist 1015 Rep 29,344 Posts Drives: 997.2 GT3 Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: ''Fandango Towers'' iTrader: (3) Garage List 2010 Porsche 997.2 GT3 [9.50] 2003 BMW E46 M3 [6.00] 2007 BMW E92 335D [5.50]	I aint worried Dave. Is it just connected to the drivers door? __________________ 997.2 GT3
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12-02-2008, 08:31 AM	#18
Jules6 Second Lieutenant 8 Rep 244 Posts Drives: F31 330d M Sport Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Devon iTrader: (0) Garage List 2020 G21 330i M Spo ... [0.00]	My 325d Coupe did this the other day. I went to start it straight away to start the defrosting process whilst I got back out to scrape the ice off the windscreen.
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12-02-2008, 04:54 PM	#19
TMP Brigadier General 357 Rep 3,022 Posts Drives: M6 Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Cheshire iTrader: (0)	The 5er did this the other day too - must be the colder weather as not noticed it before (dont recall this with my last 530d though!) __________________ M2 Arrived! Family 5er
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12-03-2008, 12:57 PM	#21
SixDegrees Lieutenant 12 Rep 445 Posts Drives: M135i Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Scotland iTrader: (0) Garage List 2011 Abarth 500 [0.00]	Now and again I get the glow-pulg, there's a wee pause and it kicks into life. Will try the above to see what the timing / sequence of events is. Was -6 this morning, so def had glow plug for about 2 secs! __________________ 2014 [14] M135i, 3dr, MG, Auto, SP, CP, HS, HK and FBP Recent Past..... 2011 [61] Abarth 500, Funk White, Leather, H&R 2007 [57] 320d M-Sport Touring Pre 2007 - GT TDI 4MO, Mk4 R32, A3 TQ, A3T, Cupra R and on and on and on..... Last edited by SixDegrees; 12-03-2008 at 02:25 PM..
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