In a diesel engine, can the car start with a dead battery?

Since diesel engines don’t need a spark plug, can a diesel car start if the battery is dead?

Tags: battery, Dead, Diesel, Engine, start

4 Responses to “In a diesel engine, can the car start with a dead battery?”

1. Cale M says:

   December 4, 2011 at 1:30 am

   It still needs a battery
2. dickfaberracing says:

   December 4, 2011 at 2:16 am

   yes
   Using the jumper battery method like any other car
   It can also be done by bumping the car in gear nut the engine needs to be warm. But only with mechanical injection. efi diesels (like most modern diesels) needs battery charge to run the electronics before the engine will start.
3. PMack says:

   December 4, 2011 at 3:15 am

   How will you engage the starter without electricity? It will not start if the battery is dead unless you jump start it, same as a gasoline fueled car. Also a cold diesel engine needs the glow plugs to warm up the combustion chambers, and they require electricity too.
4. Hunter says:

   December 4, 2011 at 3:27 am

   If you’re strong enough to spin the fly-wheel by hand and its an older mechanical engine. . . not electronic injection.