VAG 1.9TDi Intermittent Glow Plug Issue

Retrogamer

This is a bit of a strange one and suspect i know what the issue might be, but wanted to try and get other opinions if possible.

1.9TDi engine (PD130)

For the last year and a bit the EML has been on. Torque app on my phone always showed it to be glow plug 3, but wasn't an issue so no rush to fix it.

Checked all the glow plugs with a multimeter last week and sure enough glow plug 3 was dead. The other 3 were fine.
Replaced glow plug 3 with a new Denso plug, clear fault codes and EML goes out.

Few days later, EML back on. Check codes adn glow plugs 1,3 and 4 not working.
Removed glow plug rail, checked plugs manually with multimeter again and all fine. Replaced rail, cleared codes and fine.

Few days later issue returns.
Any suggestions or opinions most welcome.

Marktheshark

Whats the resistance, are they in tolerance, they are best done in sets or the new one ends up doing twice as much current.

Retrogamer

Marktheshark wrote: »

Whats the resistance, are they in tolerance, they are best done in sets or the new one ends up doing twice as much current.

Resistance on the other plugs was very low. Can't remember exact values but all around the same with very little variance except 3. 3 was about 5 times higher resistance than the rest.

forgotmyname

The others are on their way out, Change the rest.

Retrogamer

Before i got spending around £30 i need to know it'll solve the issue.
Glow plug 3 is brand new, but it's still showing as faulty when the EML comes on as well as plugs 1 and 4.
All test fine with the multimeter.

Prior to changing plug 3, only plug 3 was showing faulty.

Car is a 2006 and has done 120k now. Glow plugs looked original. I suspect that on removing connections from the glow plugs the wiring loom or connecting parts them self have became damaged.

If i had some way of knowing that replacing the other 3 plugs would solve the issue i'd do it, but it seems unlikely.

arcon5

Whats the actual error code?
Have you checked the electrical connection to make sure there isn't a voltage drop or resistance in the wiring?

Retrogamer

Error codes show up as this.



Checking some forums and Facebook groups with other users it seems to be a common issue. The harness that connects to the glow plugs is very poorly made and can't be serviced or fixed when it breaks.

Solution is to replace the harness, but it's not the cheapest.

I think with me disturbing it to replace that one glow plug, it's caused the problems so going to replace the harness and all 3 remaining plugs as well so i don't need to disturb it again for some time.

Same design as this

*j*

This forum will be a better place for help:

www.ukpassats.co.uk


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