A3 TDI Flashing Glow Plug Light

djaniero · May 26, 2020

Hi guys,

I had a search on the forum, but got even more confused :frown:

The glow plug dash light, on my 2005 A3 tdi has been flashing constantly for the past couple of weeks.

It used to flash intermittently at the start of the year from time to time, and I also had issues with the anti shudder valve and egr (replaced both egr and anti shudder valve, but engine warning light came back on a few months later)
So I had the erg/shudder valve mapped out, along with a carbon clean and replaced the glow plugs.
Everything was fine for a few months, and now I have the glow plug light flashing.

I did some research online and I saw a few people say the glow plug harness may need replacing as its a common fault?
However on my engine - BKD - the harness that connects to the glow plugs is the injector harness, from what I can gather?

Could this be what is causing the fault or am I way off the mark?
The car still runs great (207k miles), does't go in to limp more or anything, however it does struggle a bit to start when warm sometimes.

Thanks for any info

Matt268uk · May 26, 2020

Rather than guessing where to start I’d try and get a scan to see if any codes have been stored. There’s a lot that can cause this to happen.

djaniero · May 31, 2020

Took your advice Matt. A friend of mine has the VAG-Con Software and did a scan for me.

These are the faults that came up:
1. 00526 -Brake light switch (F)
008 -Implausible Signal - Intermittent

2. 04506 - Bulb for Rear Fog: Right (L47)
012 - Electrical Fault in circuit.

3. 01314 - Engine Control Module
004 - NO Signal/Communication - Intermittent

4. 00361 - Heater Element for Auxiliary Heater (Z35)
014 - Defective

5. 00483 - Control Module for Auxiliary Air Heater
013 - Check DTC Memory

6. 01317 - Control Module in instrument Cluster (J285)
004 - No Signal/Communication - Intermittent

Having had a search online, I'm guessing some of the faults above were related to when I had a failed rear wheel bearing/ABS switch...and I had brake light deflective flashing up on my dash?

However would any of them cause my glow plug light to flash constantly now?

Thanks again

Matt268uk · May 31, 2020

I’d say none of those codes relate to your glow plug light flashing. Did you note the dates those codes were stored ? I’d clear them and see what if any returns. I had my glow plug flashing once on my 2.0 tdi and would go into limp mode, my problem turned out to be the egr valve. I tried removing it and giving it a good clean but the problem soon returned so I replaced it and had no problems since.

djaniero · May 31, 2020

I'll double check the dates again.
He cleared the codes while I was there and the 3 faults that returned were the brake switch fault, aux heater and rear fog light fault.

I did have issues with my egr previously, which caused the engine management light to come on.
But since it was replaced and mapped out, it hasnt given me any issues since.

Wolf_man · Jun 3, 2020

I had this issue on 2 of my 4 Passats and my A4, and each time it was the brake light switch had failed.
Very simple to change. Takes about 5 mins and no special tools.
On the A3, it's probably 3 bolts to remove the bottom part of dash under steering wheel
Then turn the switch anti-clockwise about 15 or 20 degrees and it pops out

djaniero · Jun 4, 2020

Thanks a lot for this Wolf_man. I really hope this is the issue. As I said above the car runs perfect and does't go in to limp mode at all.

Do you know why a failed brake switch would trigger the glow plug light? Also do you know where I could purchase a switch from?

Wolf_man · Jun 4, 2020

No idea why it triggers the glow plug light, but I remember the first time it happened to me, I was gobsmacked that it was totally unrelated to glow plugs too!
In both Passats when it happened, it tured out that my brake lights were actually lit a lot of the time and I never realised.
In the A4, the lights were still functioning as normal, but once I replaced the switch, the warning light went out
I purchased them from my local motor factors on each occasion. They seem to be a very common thing with VAG cars
You can also buy online from somewhere like Autodoc. Just enter your car reg, but here is a sample listing for the 5 door 1.9 Tdi model.
As you can see, they are priced from about a fiver upwards

djaniero · Jun 14, 2020

I managed to get a switch online and fitted it on Friday. Just as you said, it solved the issue.
It was quite a fiddly job to to refit the new switch, but managed to do it in the end.
Thanks again for pointing me in the right direction

.

On to the next job issue now....clunk noise when I hit the brakes. Joys of owning an old VAG lol.

Wolf_man · Jun 14, 2020

Brilliant! Delighted you got sorted anyway
As it happens, I have the very same issue with my A4 Avant since I got new front brake pads fitted a few months ago
Turns out that the pads the guy fitted don't come with the anti rattle clips as they weren't genuine Audi brake pads, so as I'm braking, I get a slight clunk
I complained about it and he put it up on the lift to show me. The pads are say for example 9mm wide where they fit into the track, but the track might be 9.5mm or 10mm and they need a little clip/shim to take up the movement in them.

I'm guessing you are having a similar issue

Here is a picture showing them on the brake pads

Wolf_man · Jun 14, 2020

That video shows exactly what is happening with my own ones. He also changed bushes and pins, but that isn't my issue.
You will see where the guy just wedged in a piece of metal from coke can and the rattle stopped

djaniero · Jun 14, 2020

Wolf_man said:
Brilliant! Delighted you got sorted anyway
As it happens, I have the very same issue with my A4 Avant since I got new front brake pads fitted a few months ago
Turns out that the pads the guy fitted don't come with the anti rattle clips as they weren't genuine Audi brake pads, so as I'm braking, I get a slight clunk
I complained about it and he put it up on the lift to show me. The pads are say for example 9mm wide where they fit into the track, but the track might be 9.5mm or 10mm and they need a little clip/shim to take up the movement in them.

I'm guessing you are having a similar issue

Here is a picture showing them on the brake pads

This definitely sounds like it could be the same issue I'm having. Mine does't rattle at all as his does in the vid. Its just a clunk when I brake. I replaced the disc and pads all around a few months back, from eurocarparts. I can't remember if those clips were on the original pads which I removed from the car. However there were no clips on the new ones I fitted from what I remember.

Wolf_man · Jun 14, 2020

Yeah, I reckon it's more than likely the same thing. Just pop off a wheel and have a quick look and try moving the brake pad and you'll know soon enough

jh787 · Mar 22, 2023

Newbie here and I would appreciate some help please.
I have the flashing glow plug problem and I thought I would try changing the brake light switch before getting it looked at but I can't for the life of me find it
I watched a few videos on yt but I can't see it where they said it would be.
Maybe the cars are a bit older and they've changed it.
It's an Audi A3 1.6tdi 8p. (2012)

Thank you in advance.

Jaswat · Apr 26, 2023

jh787 said:
Newbie here and I would appreciate some help please.
I have the flashing glow plug problem and I thought I would try changing the brake light switch before getting it looked at but I can't for the life of me find it
I watched a few videos on yt but I can't see it where they said it would be.
Maybe the cars are a bit older and they've changed it.
It's an Audi A3 1.6tdi 8p. (2012)

Thank you in advance.

Newbie too here, I’ve just started having the glow plug issue too, doesn’t go into limp mode but did stop after a while. Did you manage to sort and find where it was ??

Audi 2.0 se TDI 2011

jh787 · Apr 26, 2023

Jaswat said:
Newbie too here, I’ve just started having the glow plug issue too, doesn’t go into limp mode but did stop after a while. Did you manage to sort and find where it was ??

Audi 2.0 se TDI 2011

I got a relative to run a diagnostic check for me and brake lightt Switch wasnt coming up so we ruled that out.

It was a dodgy egr valve.

So i ended up deleting and remapping.

Jaswat · Apr 26, 2023

jh787 said:
I got a relative to run a diagnostic check for me and brake lightt Switch wasnt coming up so we ruled that out.

It was a dodgy egr valve.

So i ended up deleting and remapping.

Thanks for reply, will get a check on it

Search

Search

A3 TDI Flashing Glow Plug Light

djaniero

Registered User

Attachments

Matt268uk

A3 Sportback

djaniero

Registered User

Matt268uk

A3 Sportback

djaniero

Registered User

Wolf_man

Registered User

djaniero

Registered User

Wolf_man

Registered User

djaniero

Registered User

Wolf_man

Registered User

Wolf_man

Registered User

djaniero

Registered User

Wolf_man

Registered User

jh787

New Member

Jaswat

New Member

jh787

New Member

Jaswat

New Member

Similar threads