Glow plug light stays on

[scj3230]

Just within the last week when I go start my rabbit the glow plug light will stay on forever.

I have a feeling its not my glow plugs because I usually just get impatient and start it with no problems at all, but why does the light stay on for so long?

It never comes on once the engine is on. Could it be the glow plug relay?

***Also a note, not sure if it has anything to do with it, but when I get the car started there is an intermittent clicking noise that comes from behind the speedo cluster.

[rs899]

I would think that it is the relay. On mine, the light sometimes works, sometimes doesn't.  I just turn the key and listen for the "click" about 8 seconds later that indicates that the relay has done its thing. 

Does yours click after a period of a few seconds?

Rick

[HoaftNom73]

Usually when the light flashes it is a misfire. Thats what it sounds like as well since it is under load. Do you have any engine mods? Have you checked or changed the plugs? That is where I would start.

[Vincent Waldon]

The glow plug relay reads a coolant temp sensor to determine how long to run the glow plugs... so if the light is misbehaving the problem could be:

- the coolant sensor
- the relay
- the wiring in between

You can visually inspect the wiring, and if you have a multimeter you can check the wiring and the resistance of the coolant sensor.... if not, the coolant sensor is a pretty cheap thing to replace as a test.

Pictures/troubleshooting thoughts here:

http://vincewaldon.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=41&Itemid=28