Recently, my 2.4TD has been difficult to start first thing in the morning. I sometimes have to crank it for 15-20 seconds until it starts. It seems to be fine starting from warm.

I suspect the glowplugs need changing. A colleague of mine put a voltmeter on one and there was an output, so it seems as though it's getting power to them.

Now my question...
Is it worth taking the car to a Fiat dealer for them to diagnose the problem? Would they be able to tell me which plugs were stuffed, so that I only need replace the defective ones?

One thing which might be relevant - the injector light stays on for two or three minutes after I've started up. However, it's been doing this for over a year now, so I don't know if it could be related.

Anyone constructive comments would be appreciated!!

Does the coil light flash after starting?

Test the resistance between block and each glowplug terminal to find the defective plugs.

The car's a 1997 non-JTD.
No, I don't get any flashing lights. Should I?

Sorry that might be a JTD issue - the flashy light thing.

On my 4pot TD tipo it was a case of removing the common annode, and checking the resistance across the glowplug. Ones with no resistance or total resistance are broken.

CONTROL BOX ON BULK HEAD SENDING POWER TO EACH PLUG
tAKE WIRES OFF EACH PLUG AND TEST WITH BULB TO CHECK POWER.
IF POWER TEST EACH PLUG ON A BATTERY AND ONE JUMP LEAD.
PLUG SHOULD HEAT UP IF NOT U/S.
+ TO PLUG TOP AND - TO OUT SIDE OF PLUG.

IF NOW POWER AT LEADS CHECK CONTROL BOX +pos LARGE RED LEAD ALSO
IN LINE FUSE (LARGE).

IF NO.1 PLUG OFF WILL BE PICKED UP BY ECU ON INJECTOR SENSOR CAUSING LIGHT TO COME ON.

I HAVE SOME NEW PLUGS IN STOCK ABOUT £2.50 EACH
CONTROL BOX £5.00
IN LINE FUSES POSTAGE

NO.1 SENSOR CAN BE CHECKED BY OHM METER THIS MAY BE DONE BY FIAT DEALER FOR F.O.C. AS THERE IS A RECALL FOR THIS AS MANY ARE FAULTY.