Battery light on when I'm waiting for the glow plugs to warm

[RustyRabbit]

Then the glow plug light goes out and  I try to start her up....

She runs for 2 seconds and dies.

Any ideas?

Thanks!

[RustyRabbit]

OK, Just went out to make sure I still had juice in the battery... the dome light was bright, the headlights turned on and even the rear defrost worked, but that battery light was still on.

I tried to start her and she fired right up.  I drove around the block, turned her off and then turned the key halfway again and no battery light this time.

Any idea why my car wouldn't start earlier today??

Thanks

[89VWdieselGolf]

how old is ur battery?
could it be a bad battery? (anyone second this?)

[RustyRabbit]

I just bought the rabbit and have an e-mail in to the dude who sold it to me about how old the sucker is, but it looks pretty new.

Here's  a stupid question:  Is the batterly light SUPPOSED to be on when the glow plugs are warming and then go off once the engine starts running?

Thanks

[vwmike]

The battery light will be on when the key is on but the engine isn't running. It will also frequently stay on until you rev the engine a bit. When the light goes out it means the alternator is working and charging the battery. If it isn't coming on at all now, check to see if the plug on the alternator is loose. That small gauge (usually blue) wire leads up to the light in the dash.