CEL and "Glow Plugs improperly installed" code

2012 TDI Sportwagen with 76,000 miles.
No engine work other than regular oil, fuel filter etc.

Check Engine light came on 2 weeks ago, but engine started and ran fine.
Mechanic pulled codes for "Glow Plug improperly installed" on 3 of the 4 glow plugs. He cleared codes and said keep an eye on it. CEL went off. 2 weeks and 700 miles later, no returned light.

Strange.

Any recommendations other than wait and see if it happens again?

Cheers,
James

Check your battery. Low voltage can cause strange problems.

To funny. What is a "glow plug improperly installed" code? I really doubt if their is such a code. What was the actual code number they pulled?

Sounds like the mechanic was just blowing smoke up your ass............

Ironically, a week after the CEL and codes, the car battery died with no warning. I replaced it. No CEL's or issues since the one time. Maybe it was just a car battery. Hope that's it.

I don't have the code #. The mechanic hooked up a laptop, and did a printout. I saw the printout, and by recollection, that's what it said. I will contact them and get the code number, and confirm terminology.

The mechanic worked at VW for years, but left to start his own shop a couple years ago. Who knows if his software is correct.

The forum is a great resource, thanks guys.

Cheers,
James

I've had a couple check engine lights in the past month. The first I just cleared. Popped up again yesterday and this morning I took it to Mike Hevner (known as Hevster here - great guy) and with the Vag-Com he saw the same code description - glow plug improperly installed. He did not give me the actual code numbers but he was surprised at the description as well. Was not blowing smoke. Pulled and reseated the connectors and suggested I run the car and see if it comes back. I'll have to watch the battery thing as well.

Same code

2012 Jetta tdi 73k, CEL came on hooked up VCDS and two faults cylinder 1,2 improper glow plug installation

Last Mango said:

2012 TDI Sportwagen with 76,000 miles.
No engine work other than regular oil, fuel filter etc.
Check Engine light came on 2 weeks ago, but engine started and ran fine.
Mechanic pulled codes for "Glow Plug improperly installed" on 3 of the 4 glow plugs. He cleared codes and said keep an eye on it. CEL went off. 2 weeks and 700 miles later, no returned light.
Strange.
Any recommendations other than wait and see if it happens again?
Cheers,
James

Click to expand...

I DID have glow plugs improperly installed and they trashed my engine. No codes were ever thrown. The tip of one of the plugs broke off and went into the combustion chamber to bounce around and score the top of the piston and the cylinder wall.

TDIFred said:

I DID have glow plugs improperly installed and they trashed my engine. No codes were ever thrown. The tip of one of the plugs broke off and went into the combustion chamber to bounce around and score the top of the piston and the cylinder wall.

Click to expand...

Who did the installation?

South Coast Guy said:

Who did the installation?

Click to expand...

Werner's Auto Service in Cambridge, ON