Glow plug issue, anyone?

A19quattro

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I have a 2005 A3 TDI quattro and since I got it there has been a blink from the glow plug warning light every time I start the car ( Comes on, blinks of/on and then stays on for approx the usual time). A local mechanic told me he had a car the same and it was the glow plug wiring harness and that eventually I would have to change it. I ran a recent Vag-com scan due to another fault and got this;
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Address 01: Engine Labels: 03G-906-016-BKD.clb
Part No SW: 03G 906 016 BA HW: 028 101 184 7
Component: R4 2,0L EDC 0000SG 7000
Revision: 12345678 Serial number: AUX7Z0E7FNT01D
Coding: 0000172
Shop #: WSC 06314 000 00000
VCID: 63CE2166A2D91E5DC8-8036

4 Faults Found:
17055 - Cylinder 1 Glow Plug Circuit (Q10)
P0671 - 000 - Electrical Fault
Freeze Frame:
RPM: 882 /min
Torque: 62.0 Nm
Speed: 0.0 km/h
Load: 0.0 %
Voltage: 14.44 V
Bin. Bits: 11000100
Temperature: 9.0°C
Bin. Bits: 10110000

17056 - Cylinder 2 Glow Plug Circuit (Q11)
P0672 - 000 - Electrical Fault
Freeze Frame:
RPM: 882 /min
Torque: 62.0 Nm
Speed: 0.0 km/h
Load: 0.0 %
Voltage: 14.44 V
Bin. Bits: 11000100
Temperature: 9.0°C
Bin. Bits: 10110000

17057 - Cylinder 3 Glow Plug Circuit (Q12)
P0673 - 000 - Electrical Fault
Freeze Frame:
RPM: 882 /min
Torque: 62.0 Nm
Speed: 0.0 km/h
Load: 0.0 %
Voltage: 14.44 V
Bin. Bits: 11000100
Temperature: 9.0°C
Bin. Bits: 10110000

17058 - Cylinder 4 Glow Plug Circuit (Q13)
P0674 - 000 - Electrical Fault
Freeze Frame:
RPM: 882 /min
Torque: 62.0 Nm
Speed: 0.0 km/h
Load: 0.0 %
Voltage: 14.44 V
Bin. Bits: 11000100
Temperature: 9.0°C
Bin. Bits: 10110000
I notice I no longer have the blink in the light but I have no starting issues and it has been -11 some mornings in the last few weeks, so if I don't get it then, I don't know when I will. So it dies say "Wiring fault", has anyone ever had this or changed the wiring loom due to problems, do my lack of symptoms sound familiar? If I do need to change it, if anyone has any advice as to where to buy one, part number etc I would be grateful. I am thinking it is unlikely all my Glow plugs have given up at the same time. I wonder if it could be a Glow plug control unit issue, kind of implausible signal type thing, although obviously it doesn't say that but certainly a wiring fault within or to and from all 4 plugs sounds most likely to me, although without Vag-com I would be blissfully unaware.
 
Might be better to ask to get your post moved to the Vcd's section where it might get a better answer from guys who know a lot about fault codes
 
I have the same fault codes on mine.
Started off with cylinders 1 & 3 .I changed the injector loom (part no. 03g971033l ,bkd engine code).
12 months later i have all 4 cylinders showing the same fault.Car runs perfect with no start up issues.
I may change the glow plugs later in the year,but as i said i have no issues.
 
ch1z64; OK, I have messaged the awesome one so should get moved soon. I feel the need to say "Just can't get enough" to see if it makes sense to you, I am not a fan but did find some You Tube vids recently and thought it was great :)
ahtcap; That's good info and leads me back to my (possible) conclusion that it's not the wiring loom but the Glow plug controller, could still be the fuse as well but then I think that should be easy enough to check, when I get a spare few minutes, will keep you posted.
 
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Ch1z64 ; OK, I have messaged the awesome on e so should get moved soon. I feel the need to say "Just can't get enough" to see if it makes sense to you, I am not a fan but did find some You Tube vids recently and thought it was great :).
Top class mate , check out there later stuff awesome .
:hubbahubba::hubbahubba::hubbahubba:
 
ch1z64; OK, I have messaged the awesome one so should get moved soon. I feel the need to say "Just can't get enough" to see if it makes sense to you, I am not a fan but did find some You Tube vids recently and thought it was great :)
ahtcap; That's good info and leads me back to my (possible) conclusion that it's not the wiring loom but the Glow plug controller, could still be the fuse as well but then I think that should be easy enough to check, when I get a spare few minutes, will keep you posted.

Glad you found this helpful! personally i thought you where in the right section to ask for help:thumbs up:
 
Yes I have, just couldn't believe initially, it was a football anthem, until I heard it for myself :)
Anyway, let's get this car fixed, anyone any ideas, am I talking a load of rubbish?
 
Thanks for that, I think I did do a search because there is one really good Club TDI post which is liked form all over the place and covers Testing the plugs, the wiring, control module and so on. Where I am currently is that I have checked the wiring and fuses and all seems fine. I have bought a 2nd hand controller and I am going to change that when I get a chance. If that doesn't work then I guess it's the harness.
If anyone has any thoughts, other ideas please share :)
 
Finally got round to changing the control unit and guess what......it's done the trick :)
Sadly the one I bought 2nd hand wasn't exactly the right one, more the plastics are wrong, same part number same configuration of pins, so it's OK for now but I need to get my hands on the right one. To explain the one I bought plugs into a board like a big relay, the board has a top and bottom cover so quite well sealed to moisture. Mine has extra plastic at the bottom, so the is a fairly normal wiring plug sleeves into the bottom part of the relay with a clip to hold tight, that then attaches to a slider that holds it in a channel below the fuses board. Both kinds are on the VW diagrams but I didn't really understand what I was seeing.
I have noticed on-line that there are a couple of aftermarket brands, usual ones are Beru (mine) or Bosch. Now I am seeing Metzger (also sold by GSF) and Huco, both German. I am thinking more of buying a new one than 2nd hand, for a bit of piece of mind, anyone any experience of them?