Flashing Glow Plug Light.

[newgas]

I started the car yesterday and when I set off a bleep came from the dash and then the glow plug light started flashing, is this something

 

big or not, and can I sort it myself, if possible.

 

Thanks

[chromedome]

The glow plug light also doubles up as an engine management light. You will probably need someone with diagnostic software to see what's causing the problem.

[newgas]

Do I take that answer to mean it could be a number of things or not?

[SilverBeast]

You can't really tell until it's hooked up to diagnostic software. As chromedome said it doubles up as the engine management light. It could be a faulty sensor or broken wire. As it's a diesel it's worth investing in a VAG-COM/VCDS Lite Lead (<£10 on ebay and the software is free). There are plenty of threads that show this.

 

It will help if you add your vehicle details to your signature - there is a sticky thread that tells you how to do this - then other members will be better able to help as some of the engines are VW and some are Ford (though the diesels are all VW as is most of the vehicle).

[gregers]

are your rear brakes working???

if not then you may need a new brake switch,and depending on type/ammount try vw for a price as they are cheaper then fords.

[seatkid]

It could be as simple as a broken brakelight or side lamp or it could be something expensive and complicated. But as usual there is a woeful lack of information - :25: What engine, what year, what model, sheesh....why I bother trying to help? I just dont know.

 

Please let us know if there are any other symptoms, e.g. the car accelerates really slowly (limp mode).

 

If all your lights are working as they should, then a cheap VAGCOM/VCDS cable (you also need a laptop) would be the easiest route to a diagnosis as others have stated.

[popuppirate]

have come across this loads of times before,usually this means yo have no brake lights,quite straight forward repair ,just need to make sure the new switch is twisted fully home or the problem will remain.

[newgas]

Well, update the glow plug flashing lights have miraculously gone off, I did'nt even have the time to check if brake lights were off etc. My car is 1.9 TDi Auto Ghia model ( sorry seatkid) with cruise control and I have had a problem with the switch before and changed it as CC dont work if switch faulty.

 

Noticed today that the lights that illuminate the gear no.s in the dash were fading at one side for a while, then after a few hours these were also ok again, wtf.

I found plenty on glow plug lights in the searches by the way gregers thanks.

[gregers]

new gas just updated your profile to include your details,this will help others to answer any questions you may have in the future. :25:

[newgas]

What did you update I can't see any changes , sorry if I'm a little slow.

 

Why the lines through my writing now??

[newgas]

AAh yes can see the info now but you missed the year it's 02, thanks again

[newgas]

By the way I had the glow plug lights again today, dammit. will firstly dw40 the break switch and see if that cures it.

[gregers]

sorted.

[newgas]

No flashing lights again today,, this is becoming an intermittent problem, I hope it really isn't summat serious and it really is the switch.