Hi all,

On my way home tonight, the Glow Plug light on my 2003 1.9TDi Elegance, began to flash on and off.....

Owners manual says 'there is a fault with the system' and apart from directing me to the nearest dealer, doesn't say a heck of a lot about whats up.

As ever, your advise etc on whats what, is most appreciated.

Regards

BG

How are your brake lights?

Hi

Dont know - will have to check.

Stooopid question - Why check Brake lights?

BG

Check them and I will tell you

Yep, check your brake lights.

Worth bearing in mind, the part that is broken, don't get a pattern one, get it from a dealer.

This is soooooo common :(

Right heres the problem

The glow plug light started flashing on Friday night, on Saturday (yesterday) I went off to the US on a business trip.

So, I have asked my partner to look at the lights........ so what is she looking for?

And once she has looked, could someone please tell me what the problem might be?

Cryptic clues are not helpful......

Thanks in advance

BG

She will be be looking for blown bulbs on the outer lights, one or both not working, or a complete brake light failure with both outers and the centre light not working. In the first case bulb replacement might cure it in the second instance it will require a new brake light switch.

The glow plug light flashes as the ECU is detecting the wrong/implausible signal from the switch. The brake light switch as well as doing the obvious also inputs a signal into the engine control so that the ecu can limit the fuel supply when the brakes are used.

Right heres the problem

The glow plug light started flashing on Friday night, on Saturday (yesterday) I went off to the US on a business trip.

So, I have asked my partner to look at the lights........ so what is she looking for?

And once she has looked, could someone please tell me what the problem might be?

Cryptic clues are not helpful......

Thanks in advance

BG

I thought the clues were pretty obvious, and the answer a little snippy for someone who has only asked questions so far!

the search function is a wonderful thing and by putting in the words "Flashing glow plug" i got the following.

http://www.briskoda.net/forums/octavia/flashing-glow-plug-light/89693/?highlight=flashing+glow+plug

http://www.briskoda.net/forums/fabia/engine-management-flashing-glow-plug-signal/88870/

http://www.briskoda.net/forums/fabia/flashing-glow-plug-warning-light/88324/

http://www.briskoda.net/forums/fabia/flashing-glow-plug-warning-light-should-i-worry/77277/

http://www.briskoda.net/forums/octavia/glow-plug-warning-light/78294/

http://www.briskoda.net/forums/fabia/flashing-glow-plug-light-after-start-up/66083/

http://www.briskoda.net/forums/octavia/glow-plug-light-flashing/53349/

That was only off the first two pages of results, i couldnt be bothered raking through the other SIX.

Hope you find something in there not too cryptic.

Thanks for that Bigw, I shant bother in the future.

Perhaps a touch harsh on the newbie... but fair.

PLEASE do a search before asking a question, chances are the problem has been covered before.

Please accept my apologies for the snippy response earlier, it was not my intention to upset anyone here (or anywhere)

So here's the thing - my partner check out the lights as suggested and found all to be working as required, but the glow plug light still flashes.

Based on the above, is it still the Brake Switch?

Rgds

BG

ps - between my first Q and the subsequent replies, I did search and find a load of stuff relating to brake switches etc. Being new here, I didnt know that search existed.......

Please accept my apologies for the snippy response earlier, it was not my intention to upset anyone here (or anywhere)

So here's the thing - my partner check out the lights as suggested and found all to be working as required, but the glow plug light still flashes.

Based on the above, is it still the Brake Switch?

Rgds

BG

ps - between my first Q and the subsequent replies, I did search and find a load of stuff relating to brake switches etc. Being new here, I didnt know that search existed.......

Dont take it to heart Biggee, it was a little toungue in cheek, i was just being a facetious sh!t yesterday, one of those "Its monday tomorrow" moods

is it still the Brake Switch?

Yes.

i have just been informed by specialist that if the glow plug light is still flashing and brake lights are fine then it is the brake light switch that needs replacing!

however does any one know how to fit a brake light switch?

My Octy munches through brake light bulbs as if they are going out of fashion, but I have never had the glow plug warning light come on on the dash though. Normally I spot the failed bulbs as I reserve down my drive way to the garage.

I've only had one blown brakelight bulb, but the glow plug light stayed off. Thanks to the WVM who stopped and told me I'd a blown bulb.

however does any one know how to fit a brake light switch?

I think you need to get the trim off from under the steering column, and then the switch is obvious - disconnect the cable and twist out.

(That could be the clutch switch, though... )

I was looking at the pedalbox in Haynes last night (well I was looking for stuff on the intercooler to manifold pipe, and it caught my eye) last night. It's about there, but so are the throttle position sensor and clutch switch.

I was looking at the pedalbox in Haynes last night (well I was looking for stuff on the intercooler to manifold pipe, and it caught my eye) last night. It's

What u up to then Ken?

Just having a wonder, after reading about someone who'd had a hole worn in the pipe, and me having scores in mine around the same place.

arh..... though you might have been considering cleaing/flushing your intercooler out

A new air filter would probably be more to the point than anything else, in terms of a "cheap performance mod". Meaning that it's due next service anyway.

A dumb question:

If the brake lights are working ok why would you need to change the switch?

The glow plug light flashes as the ECU is detecting the wrong/implausible signal from the switch. The brake light switch as well as doing the obvious also inputs a signal into the engine control so that the ecu can limit the fuel supply when the brakes are used.