glowplug light flickering and staying on after start driving

[sethyboy85]

did a search cannot find anything, when I start to drive my car the glowplug light flickers and sometimes even stays on but then will go off on it's own.

no relation to it (I think) I broke my ebrake today so now the light stays on all the time although it is not engaged.

[chrissev]

did a search cannot find anything, when I start to drive my car the glowplug light flickers and sometimes even stays on but then will go off on it's own.

no relation to it (I think) I broke my ebrake today so now the light stays on all the time although it is not engaged.

It is the horn relay.  Don't ask me why.  It has nothing to do with the glow plugs.  They are off.  Test them to make sure, but I think you will find that they are off.  Listen for the "click" of the glowplug relay after you glow the engine and you will know they are off.

[Patrick]

There's a good chance there's water in the fuel. Some of these cars have a sending unit in the separator (under the car on the passenger side at the back) hooked to the glow plug light to tell you there's a problem. Try draining the separator!

[Hammy]

Good call Patrick, I had exactly the same problem on my '85 Golf. Drained the water seperator, no more glow plug light problems. I have also heard of the situation chrissev mentioned, but for sake of ease, and really it's maintenance, I would drain the water from the separator. It's located in front of the tank, you will see it if you look underneath infront of the right rear wheel. Make sure to drain it in a suitable place.

[Patrick]

Just noticed he's driving an 84. Does he have the separator?

[Hammy]

I was under the impression that they all had them. Never seen one without.

[sethyboy85]

nope, only have one on the factory fuel filter that is not in use... goes from fuel tank 6" of rubber line to factory steel line, rubber line, filter (not factory) fuel pump.

[fatmobile]

The only time I've had a flickering glow plug light on an A1 was when a wire on the positive battery terminal wasn't connected well.