Golf 5 tdi no glow plug light no start

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Shadows101Fall
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Golf 5 tdi no glow plug light no start

Post by Shadows101Fall »

I am having the weirdest experience with a 2.0 tdi, it started off as a once in 20 times sort of thing, but now you have to switch it on and off about 50 times before the glow plug light lights up allowing it to start. Now what happens is, if you switch it on and the glow plug light does not show then it won't start, so you have to switch it on and off until it eventually lights up, it's obvious to me that this means that there is no power going to the ecu or electronics when the glow plug light does not light up since you can't access the ecu with diagnostics if it didn't come on upon switching the car on.

In normal circumstances with the symptoms I am experiencing it would point to the fuel and ecu relay, but I've checked every relay in the car, every fuse, gave the ecu its 12v directly, it doesn't change anything, the only thing I can think of that's left is the ecu has croaked?
I buy broken/smashed/written off cars

Current: 2005 Alfa Romeo GT 1.9 JTDm
Ex: 2014 Nissan NP200 1.6i - meh.. Sold
Ex: 2000 Alfa Romeo GTV 3.0 Sold http://www.vwclub.co.za/forum/viewtopic ... 1&t=197077
Ex:1980 2 door mk1 build thread Sold http://www.vwclub.co.za/forum/viewtopic ... 1&t=192831

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panic-mechanic
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Re: Golf 5 tdi no glow plug light no start

Post by panic-mechanic »

you need to plug a vcds in and see if the management has come on line
Stephan van Tonder - Jhb - Putfontein Benoni
'05 Audi A6 3.0L TDI Avant
'09 Touareg 3l TDI
'13 VW CC 2l tdi (repair project)
'05 Touareg v10

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Shadows101Fall
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Re: Golf 5 tdi no glow plug light no start

Post by Shadows101Fall »

I don't have a vcds cable, so I'll have to find someone nearby with one to plug it in, not a problem, but I am almost 90% certain the ecu is not coming online when the glow plug light does not come on, since I can't access it with my delphi diagnostics, and the fan kicks in after a few seconds of leaving the ignition on, like the temp sensor failure safety feature.
I buy broken/smashed/written off cars

Current: 2005 Alfa Romeo GT 1.9 JTDm
Ex: 2014 Nissan NP200 1.6i - meh.. Sold
Ex: 2000 Alfa Romeo GTV 3.0 Sold http://www.vwclub.co.za/forum/viewtopic ... 1&t=197077
Ex:1980 2 door mk1 build thread Sold http://www.vwclub.co.za/forum/viewtopic ... 1&t=192831

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panic-mechanic
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Posts: 26715
Registered for: 21 years 7 months
Membership No: 79
Location: Benoni, putfontein.

Re: Golf 5 tdi no glow plug light no start

Post by panic-mechanic »

Oh dear. When I had that same issue with my DTM audi it meant the management drivers had blown and it basically meant new ECU.
Stephan van Tonder - Jhb - Putfontein Benoni
'05 Audi A6 3.0L TDI Avant
'09 Touareg 3l TDI
'13 VW CC 2l tdi (repair project)
'05 Touareg v10

Perfect Power dealer. I do dyno tuning.
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Abnormal
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Re: Golf 5 tdi no glow plug light no start

Post by Abnormal »

Also had a problem where the fan comes on when you turn the ignition on. ECU was fried. :(
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Shadows101Fall
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Location: Pretoria

Re: Golf 5 tdi no glow plug light no start

Post by Shadows101Fall »

Thank you for confirming my suspicion, I'll give it to someone to test and go through it before I replace it anyway just to be sure.
I buy broken/smashed/written off cars

Current: 2005 Alfa Romeo GT 1.9 JTDm
Ex: 2014 Nissan NP200 1.6i - meh.. Sold
Ex: 2000 Alfa Romeo GTV 3.0 Sold http://www.vwclub.co.za/forum/viewtopic ... 1&t=197077
Ex:1980 2 door mk1 build thread Sold http://www.vwclub.co.za/forum/viewtopic ... 1&t=192831

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panic-mechanic
Panic's Place
Posts: 26715
Registered for: 21 years 7 months
Membership No: 79
Location: Benoni, putfontein.

Re: Golf 5 tdi no glow plug light no start

Post by panic-mechanic »

Speak to trevor greene in moot street pretoria. He can help you with another ecu and even copying/ cloning yours if possible.
0833095033
Stephan van Tonder - Jhb - Putfontein Benoni
'05 Audi A6 3.0L TDI Avant
'09 Touareg 3l TDI
'13 VW CC 2l tdi (repair project)
'05 Touareg v10

Perfect Power dealer. I do dyno tuning.
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