Author Topic: Blinking glow plug light (Read 2760 times)

Sandy · « **on:** November 23, 2008, 02:38:02 pm »

After starting my 99 TDI (A3) Jetta today after a month of not running the glow blug light is blinking. If I shut it off and restart it after 20 sec running it starts blinking again. On the early A2 diesels I would suspect water in the fuel seperator. What does this indicate on the TDI.

Vincent Waldon · « **Reply #1 on:** November 23, 2008, 05:44:11 pm »

Believe it or not, it generally indicates a problem with the brake lights... either the bulbs or the brake light switch itself.

Sandy · « **Reply #2 on:** November 23, 2008, 06:26:50 pm »

Quote from: "Vincent Waldon"

Believe it or not, it generally indicates a problem with the brake lights... either the bulbs or the brake light switch itself.

It's funny you say that. I'm in the process of junking this car and the last time I had this running I striped the tail lights and wiring out of the back of this car. Before that I'd never seen the blinking glow plug light before. Who would have thought? Thanks for the reply.
PS. How did you ever stumble on to that.

Vincent Waldon · « **Reply #3 on:** November 23, 2008, 07:36:06 pm »

Yeah, it's one of those "gotchas" that sticks in your mind the first time you see it. Car manufacturers getting too smart for their own good. How about flashing the brake warning light instead ??!! :roll:

Taken to the next (inane) step: Ford had a whole bunch of complaints one year about "random high idle" on their new "computer controlled" cars. The repair: fix your brake lights.

Turned out the computer monitored the brake lights and upped the idle a bit when you stepped on the brakes in anticipation of the additional load to the alternator. And if your brake lights were burnt out there was no load on the alternator and so the idle went up too much. :wink:

PS... grew up in a little town in NS called Westville... just outside of New Glasgow. You guys got snow yet ??

Sandy · « **Reply #4 on:** November 23, 2008, 07:47:01 pm »

Passed through Westville last weekend; first time in 15yrs. Spent alot of summers in Hopewell.

Yes we got 12" dumped on us Fri. nite.

the caveman · « **Reply #5 on:** November 24, 2008, 02:27:40 pm »

God Vince please. Don't remind me about the snow. I'm looking out the window and it looks real dark. maybe tonight but i'm actually in denial. plus everyone here is freaking out because the new law this year in quebec is that all cars have to have snows on all 4 come dec 15 th and 2 of my tire suppliers have run out of the most common sizes.