Odd glow plug warning issue

[cdnalpina]

A strange thing happened the other day. When my friend wborrowed my Jetta, the glow plug light started flashing and the check engine light came on when he took the car over 3500RPM. The odd thing is that if you drive the car under 3500RPM, no lights show up. Anyone have an explanation as to what might be causing this?

Thanks so much!

Rob

[longsock]

Re: Odd glow plug warning issue

more problems with the car? .. man this isnt good at all, u just bought the car!
get rid of it, asap

[cdnalpina]

Re: Odd glow plug warning issue

Yes, it is a little disheartening but I am determined to sort it out. Just the way I am.

I discovered some wiring gremlins the other day so going to sort those out and who knows, maybe it will sort out everything else. I have heard from a buddy that VW uses the bare minimum wire gauge thickness to electrify the car and that if you start cutting in and splicing that you can cause electrical issues. So, going to return the wiring back to the way it was.

What is the lifespan of a glow plug usually? Is there a recommended interval to replace them?

[Satnam]

Re: Odd glow plug warning issue

the glowplug light may be just supplemental to the check engine light for emissions.
get it scanned to make sure.

if you pull the plug harness off and meaure each plug to ground, you will get a few ohms, if resistance is high, the the plug is dead.

[darkmanCANADA]

Re: Odd glow plug warning issue

Wasn't there a glow plug recall a few years ago? I think mine may have been fixed when it was still under the CPO warranty.

[cdnalpina]

Re: Odd glow plug warning issue

Interesting - the PO did mention that there may be a recall item on the car still not done. Wonder if this is it...

[stefan]

Re: Odd glow plug warning issue

check engine makes it sound unrelated, but flashing glow plug light will also come on if your brake lights are stuck on. Usually due to faulty brake light switch under the pedal, which was a recall issue.

[cdnalpina]

Re: Odd glow plug warning issue

Thanks Guys - I will throw the ohm meter at it tonight and see what I see.

One thing I forgot to mention is that once the glow plug light and CEL come on, they stay on (the GP light flashing) until you shut the car off - as if tripping a relay.

Is there any way of checking the brake light switch or do I just take it in to VW? I was going to swing by Northland this week to get some rivet nuts so maybe I will see what they say about it then.

[darkmanCANADA]

Re: Odd glow plug warning issue

Brake switch recall. SCFC did mine 3 years ago. Then it failed again last year. It was a cheap part and I think fairly easy to swap.

[stefan]

Re: Odd glow plug warning issue

Thanks Guys - I will throw the ohm meter at it tonight and see what I see.

One thing I forgot to mention is that once the glow plug light and CEL come on, they stay on (the GP light flashing) until you shut the car off - as if tripping a relay.

Is there any way of checking the brake light switch or do I just take it in to VW? I was going to swing by Northland this week to get some rivet nuts so maybe I will see what they say about it then.

Check brake switch by walking behind the car and looking if the lights are on.
CEL doesn't normally come on if this is the case though.

[cdnalpina]

Re: Odd glow plug warning issue

Great - thanks. I believe the lights all work as I checked that out when I got the car. Will double check again in case a bulb has burnt out since then.

Cheers,

Rob

[stefan]

Re: Odd glow plug warning issue

its not that one will be burnt out, its that all the brake lights will be stuck on.

[P Arkus]

Re: Odd glow plug warning issue

Brake switch is cheap and easy. Part costs $7.00, fix takes about 15 mins.

[MusicalGenius]

Re: Odd glow plug warning issue

I just had my brake switch replaced a few weeks back.