Glow Plug Warning Light - help!

[Zola]

Hi, I've recently been experiencing a slightly unnerving problem with the Glow Plug indicator light on the dashboard (A2 1.4TDi diesel, 75 bhp).

Recently, this light starts flashing on and off when I'm driving. It may come on for a few seconds, or for 5 minutes before going off again, regardless of whether the engine is hot or cold, idling or under normal road speeds, or length of journey. It comes on as usual for the quick preheat on ignition, then the light goes off as usual and the engine starts fine and the management system diagnostic always indicates "OK". This warning light then may or may not reappear on some journeys. There seems to be no difference in engine idle or performance or driving experience I can detect. The owners manual is a bit hopeless, simply saying "if the lamp should start flashing while movimg this indicates a fault in the engine management system. The engine should be serviced without delay". Well I'm about 2500 miles from service and would prefer to wait until the usual interval.

Any thoughts/help welcome! Is it ok to drive, should I book a service asap or ignore it, could it be a faulty connection or do I risk expensive damage?

Cheers, Z

[spike]

Hi Zola
Unfortunately the glow plug light just gives a general warning and does not pinpoint a specific fault (I'm impressed that you actually checked the manual) From your description, it's likely to be a faulty engine sensor but a diagnostic scan is the only way find out just what the problem is. Generally no serious damage is done by rumnning the car with a sensor problem but its not ideal. If its not convenient to have this done quickly, i'd be tempted to have the service done early and have this checked at the same time.
If you just want a diagnostic check and are not too far from Richmond, N Yorks, I would be more than happy to help. If you are closer to Manchester then i'm sure the ever helpful Mike (Skipton 01) would do the same (sorry to keep volunteering you services Mike)

Cheers Spike

[Marco77]

I've just fixed this on mine it was flashing changed the glowplugs didnt resolve stuck on vag com and it said there was a fault in the brake light switch.

sure enough when it was flashing when pressing the brake the lights did not work and when it wasn't flashing they were working.

did a search on other vag forums and it came up the same warning for this flashing glowplug icon

part cost £8.64 from audi took 30mins to fit myself and the flashing glowplug
stopped

[Zola]

Guys, thanks for this, and I've now seen some other threads so it seems quite common. I'd love a diagnostic, Skipton kindly did me one a couple yrs ago, however I've a hunch that it's this brake light thing which seems both bizarre and a bit of a worry for a rear end shunt, so I'll book an early service. Interestingly I did 140 miles yesterday over a range of roads and conditions. The light did not come on until 108 miles and went off at 114 miles and did not reappear on the journey.

[Marco77]

yeah when i did the diagnostic check it show fault brake light switch intermittent as it was just random

[stico]

Had the same problem with the glow light flashing a few seconds after i start the engine also the led brake light half of it stayed on slightly. Took it to my friend who deals with VW's and told me straight away that i had no brake lights both bulbs had gone living the side lights working.