Diesel machine, in particular a big diesel engine, with an electronic control system and a method for starting the diesel machine

The time intervals by which an injection nozzle (26) for fuel, a feed nozzle for starting air and a gas switching valve (23) are activated by a control system (7) are flexibly programmable. A compression ignition condition for fuel is obtained in a first workspace and starting air is supplied to a second workspace such that balance in ambient pressure is obtained without fuel injection. An independent claim is also included for a starting method for a diesel machine.