Having done a search for "flashing glow plug light" and also non-working cruise control, will check the brake light switch. What's the cost of a replacement?

The rear washer having stopped working at the same time is a bit puzzling though!

What a great resource this site is!

Cheers,

Martin

The glo plug and cruise not working will be linked. Odd one this but it crops up quiet a bit. Check that your brake lights are working, I think you will find they are not working at all as the switch which controls them has gone faulty. its located by the brake pedal, up in the footwell.

The rear washer pipe has become detached at one of its joints, there are a number of different locations where this can happen.

Agreed.

The most likely place for the washer pipe to disconnect is inside the LH rear corner, ahead of the light cluster and under the CD stacker if fitted.

You were right. Brake light switch not working. I've taken it apart and in the process of refitting now. i'm trying to get this one working long enough to source a replacement switch.

Update: the little striker inside the switch which makes/breaks the contacts had snapped. I can glue it back up but every time I refit the switch it snaps off again. I can't compress the plunger enough while refitting to get it to turn properly? Not sure if this makes any sense....been upside down in the footwell for 2 hours now!

You were right. Brake light switch not working. I've taken it apart and in the process of refitting now. i'm trying to get this one working long enough to source a replacement switch.

Update: the little striker inside the switch which makes/breaks the contacts had snapped. I can glue it back up but every time I refit the switch it snaps off again. I can't compress the plunger enough while refitting to get it to turn properly? Not sure if this makes any sense....been upside down in the footwell for 2 hours now!

Found the VMvortex guide to refitting the switch too late! Think all that was wrong with the old switch was dirty contacts and I've buggered it totally by trying to get it apart! Will buy a new one in the morning.

Thanks all, for you help!

Cheers,

Martin

Switch - brake light (common to all models)

1C0 945 511 A RDW - �7.76...............now �7.97 in vat

(latest modified switch - green)

Mine is

1J0 945 511D

19322000

18.08.03*

03890

Is this something different or do I have an old version of the switch?

The car's at a local garage having a new switch fitted. Couldn't be arsed to do it myself.

However they've rung me up to say they've changed the switch, the brake lights are working now, but the glowplug light is still flashing? I assume that they'll have to plug in for a diagnostic scan now?

What else could it be? (I'm assuming that both poles of the switch are working properly)

Thanks,

Martin

Does the cruise work again?

If not there is a brake switch and a clutch switch that would be worth checking.

A VCDS scan will probably be the quickest way to find out though.

Hi,

Local garage fitted new switch, glow plug light was still on. They connected up to diagnostic system, it said "faulty brake switch". Puzzled, they phoned Chapmans in Pickering who said check bulbs.

Bulbs were still working but blackened. Changed bulbs, glowplug light has gone out.

But as I drove it away, and put the lights on, the "Light Failure" warning came on! Blown tail light.

Charged £60 - £9+VAT for the switch plus 0.75hours labour. Apparently he was on it for 2.5 hours in total so didn't complain. Sounds like it was in pain in't arse. After spending two hours upside down in the footwell last night I'm just glad it's sorted.

Haven't had chance to check cruise yet, will do on my way home later.

Thanks all for your help.

Cheers,

Martin

Cheers for the update; the point about tail light bulbs is well worth noting.

Cruise control is working again.

Thanks again to all.

Martin