Flashing glow plug with Check Engine light

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KingBunda
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Flashing glow plug with Check Engine light

Post by KingBunda »

So yesterday i took my Polo to VW to change the brake pads, car was fine until i pulled in at my driveway from work, i switched the car off to open the gate when i switched it on the Flashing glow plug with Check Engine light came on,so i drove around the block car was running as normal, what could be the problem?
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Re: Flashing glow plug with Check Engine light

Post by Schabzo08 »

For the flashing glow plug light, i would advise you to check that your brakelights are in working order.
It can never be Fast Enuf

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Re: Flashing glow plug with Check Engine light

Post by B_rad »

Glow plug light is probably the brake light switch, under the brake pedal. Check if your brake lights work when the glow plug light is flashing, if not, just get a new one at the dealership!
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Re: Flashing glow plug with Check Engine light

Post by KingBunda »

Brake lights are working fine, thats the first thing i checked
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Re: Flashing glow plug with Check Engine light

Post by Schabzo08 »

Then its probably your glow plugs, have it diagnosed...
It can never be Fast Enuf

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Re: Flashing glow plug with Check Engine light

Post by KingBunda »

Schabzo08 wrote:Then its probably your glow plugs, have it diagnosed...
Thanks will try and take it to vw tomorrow
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Re: Flashing glow plug with Check Engine light

Post by TimeShifter »

Check your engine oil level, might be on the low side.
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Re: Flashing glow plug with Check Engine light

Post by Atsta »

am I correct in saying (apart from the irritation factor of having the lights flashing), that the glow plug is a "non-event" in South Africa's temperate climate, and that the glow plug is really only needed in sub zero temperatures...?
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Re: Flashing glow plug with Check Engine light

Post by 6R_TDI »

I had the exact same lights on my dashboard.

Scanned the car and got this error:
P2455 - diesel particulate filter pressure sensor 'a' circuit high.

Took it to VW the following day and had the sensor replaced.
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Re: Flashing glow plug with Check Engine light

Post by B_rad »

Atsta wrote:am I correct in saying (apart from the irritation factor of having the lights flashing), that the glow plug is a "non-event" in South Africa's temperate climate, and that the glow plug is really only needed in sub zero temperatures...?
I stand under correction, but a diesel doesn't use a spark plug, so it needs the glow plug to start the car.

I still think it is the brake light switch, my lights still worked albeit intermittently, when my brake light switch conked out.
6R_TDI wrote:I had the exact same lights on my dashboard.

Scanned the car and got this error:
P2455 - diesel particulate filter pressure sensor 'a' circuit high.

Took it to VW the following day and had the sensor replaced.
If its the 9n3 or 9n, no DPF. If it is the 6R, this may be your problem!
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Re: Flashing glow plug with Check Engine light

Post by B_rad »

Just saw it is a sportline. Therefore no DPF so that is not the problem.
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Re: Flashing glow plug with Check Engine light

Post by Tdi jetta 4 ever »

Brake light switch, even if the brake lights work it could still be you brake light switch. The brake light switch also send signals to the ECU as its being used while you drive. Have it scanned to make sure.
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Re: Flashing glow plug with Check Engine light

Post by chucker02 »

Every diesel needs glowplugs to heat the cylinders in order for the diesel to ignite as a diesel uses compression to ignite the diesel/air mixture. If glowplugs were not present in diesels your car would crank a long time before starting, it would eventually start but with a cloud of smoke coming from the exhaust.
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Re: Flashing glow plug with Check Engine light

Post by KingBunda »

Howzit gents just got the car scanned at VW and it gave the following error code P0341 no camshaft signal,faults were cleared but i'm still not at ease, thanks for the help gents :hi: :wink:
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Re: Flashing glow plug with Check Engine light

Post by Tdi jetta 4 ever »

KingBunda wrote:Howzit gents just got the car scanned at VW and it gave the following error code P0341 no camshaft signal,faults were cleared but i'm still not at ease, thanks for the help gents :hi: :wink:

Thats odd. Isnt it supposed to give the check engine warning only? I wonder why the glow plug light also flashed ?
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Re: Flashing glow plug with Check Engine light

Post by Bird87_ZA »

6R_TDI wrote:I had the exact same lights on my dashboard.

Scanned the car and got this error:
P2455 - diesel particulate filter pressure sensor 'a' circuit high.

Took it to VW the following day and had the sensor replaced.
Got exactly the same. VW is convinced that it's the tail lights I bought from them causing the glow plug and check engine light.

Car is going in on Monday, for the THIRD time for this.
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Re: Flashing glow plug with Check Engine light

Post by Edmund Hattingh »

Hi Guys,

I have the same light flashing on my 2006 1.9 TDi but only if I switch on the headlights and also then the speed(cruise control) control does not work. Driving on the open road with headlights on no speed control, switch off the head lights switch on the speed control working turn on the lights???

Already checked the break light switch working well, the two front fog lights US though?

Any advice suggestions will be appreciated.
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Re: Flashing glow plug with Check Engine light

Post by Sinbad »

chucker02 wrote:Every diesel needs glowplugs to heat the cylinders in order for the diesel to ignite as a diesel uses compression to ignite the diesel/air mixture. If glowplugs were not present in diesels your car would crank a long time before starting, it would eventually start but with a cloud of smoke coming from the exhaust.
Incorrect.

Glowplugs are only actually needed when ambient temperatures are way below freezing.
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Re: Flashing glow plug with Check Engine light

Post by VGTI »

Sinbad wrote:
chucker02 wrote:Every diesel needs glowplugs to heat the cylinders in order for the diesel to ignite as a diesel uses compression to ignite the diesel/air mixture. If glowplugs were not present in diesels your car would crank a long time before starting, it would eventually start but with a cloud of smoke coming from the exhaust.
Incorrect.

Glowplugs are only actually needed when ambient temperatures are way below freezing.
But surely the air doesn't get very hot when it gets compressed 16-19 times?

:troll:
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Re: Flashing glow plug with Check Engine light

Post by amstel18 »

I read the pd technical article in the faq section last night. Glow plugs are used when coolant temp is below 9degrees celcius

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Re: Flashing glow plug with Check Engine light

Post by Sinbad »

VGTI wrote:
Sinbad wrote:
chucker02 wrote:Every diesel needs glowplugs to heat the cylinders in order for the diesel to ignite as a diesel uses compression to ignite the diesel/air mixture. If glowplugs were not present in diesels your car would crank a long time before starting, it would eventually start but with a cloud of smoke coming from the exhaust.
Incorrect.

Glowplugs are only actually needed when ambient temperatures are way below freezing.
But surely the air doesn't get very hot when it gets compressed 16-19 times?

:troll:
30 degree input air, 500c volume (2l engine), 18:1 compression, the air temp at the top of the compression stroke assuming no heat transfer anywhere is 680 degrees C

Diesel auto-ignition temperature is around 210-250 degrees C.

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Re: Flashing glow plug with Check Engine light

Post by chucker02 »

Ok disconnect your glowplugs and try to start it on a cold morning. Youll see what I mean
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Re: Flashing glow plug with Check Engine light

Post by MK2 G60 »

Dissconnect the glow plugs the car will start in our temps. They correct it will only work below 9deg.
We get the tdis in with high milage and non functioning glow plugs customers dont even know it.

The tdi with non working ccs when lights are on. Check the brake light globes msybe you have a single contact globe in were a double should be so it back feeds into the brake circuitmakeing the ecu thinck u pressing brakes.
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Re: Flashing glow plug with Check Engine light

Post by chucker02 »

Maybe the vw tdis but the jeep diesels struggle to start with non working glow plugs
Current:

2006 Citi Golf 2E, Dictator, 4-2-1

Ex:
2003 Audi A3 1.8t, Thanas Tuned, FMIC, coilies, DP and exhaust
2007 Citi golf. ADY with Spitronics 60-2, estas 282, 4-2-1, coilies
Rides thread: http://vwclub.co.za/forum/viewtopic.php?f=11&t=183329
2002 Citi golf. ADY carb, estas 282, 4-2-1, GW delarey big brake kit.
Rides thread: http://vwclub.co.za/forum/viewtopic.php?f=11&t=157603
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Re: Flashing glow plug with Check Engine light

Post by Bird87_ZA »

chucker02 wrote:Maybe the vw tdis but the jeep diesels struggle to start with non working glow plugs
Jeeps struggle to start with working glow plugs too.
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