Glow Plug light flashing

elcid

Member
Joined
Jan 6, 2013
Location
Chicago
TDI
2009 Jetta
Looked at a few threads, but didnt see my same issue. Basically I was driving today just leaving a resturant and my glow plug light started flashing, another with an engine malfunction warning and the car lost all it's balls. I pulled into a parking lot, shut the car off and turned it back on and didnt have a problem the rest of the day. I did notice that my gas door wasnt fully closed. Aside from the obvious of ge it to a dealer, has anyone experience something like this? It's an 09 Jetta TDI, and I cant get to a sjop for a few days, Im starting a new job tomorrow
 

nord

Veteran Member
Joined
Mar 5, 2010
Location
Southern Tier NY
TDI
All turned back to VW. Now a 2017 Hundai Tuscon. Not a single squalk in 10k miles.
Oh boy... You really don't want to hear this! Your symptoms have been reported by others to be associated with a failing HPFP. And while I hope that this isn't the problem it's really not a matter of your "having time" to address the problem. If I'm correct YOU WILL make the time one way or another.

For the few minutes it takes I'd pull the cover on your fuel filter and have a look inside. If you detect any metal particles you may be assured that the pump has failed and your fuel system is very likely contaminated. If not, breath a sigh of relief but pull the codes immediately as this is something you cannot ignore.

Just remember that there are times we don't wish to fight, but are forced to do so. Better to pick the time and place rather than have it chosen for you.
 

cd_booth

Veteran Member
Joined
Feb 28, 2012
Location
Brighton, Michigan
TDI
2010 Jetta TDI DSG
Oh boy... You really don't want to hear this! Your symptoms have been reported by others to be associated with a failing HPFP. And while I hope that this isn't the problem it's really not a matter of your "having time" to address the problem. If I'm correct YOU WILL make the time one way or another.

For the few minutes it takes I'd pull the cover on your fuel filter and have a look inside. If you detect any metal particles you may be assured that the pump has failed and your fuel system is very likely contaminated. If not, breath a sigh of relief but pull the codes immediately as this is something you cannot ignore.

Just remember that there are times we don't wish to fight, but are forced to do so. Better to pick the time and place rather than have it chosen for you.
If this were the case then the car wouldn't be running. Sounds like something else. At around 5,000 miles into ownership on my 2010 I had the same thing happen to me. I was driving on the highway and the glow plug lights started flashing and it went into limp mode. I pulled off, restarted the engine and 45,000 miles later I haven't had any issues. I deemed it to just be a malfunction in the computer and it went into limp mode just to be safe.

OP, are the lights still on? If not, there likely won't be a code stored. It would be a good idea to take it to a dealer anyway though. Or get it scanned for free at any auto parts store since you're out of warranty.
 

nord

Veteran Member
Joined
Mar 5, 2010
Location
Southern Tier NY
TDI
All turned back to VW. Now a 2017 Hundai Tuscon. Not a single squalk in 10k miles.
Gentlemen,

I'll stand by what I posted. Never did I say there was a certainty of a bad HPFP. I did, however, say that this has been reported by others as the onset of a fuel system failure. While I suppose it could merely be an ECU burp, it could also signal a very serious problem.

And so my advice stands... Pull the filter assembly and do a visual check. Either there will be metal flakes or there won't. As to codes it's almost a certainty that the ECU recorded the event. I'd gently suggest that a free check at the auto parts store isn't the answer to the question. VagCom is!

HPFP failures seem to take different paths. Some are immediate and total. Others give a bit of warning. The thing is that a system in failure will not cure itself. There will come a point where the lights will flash and the vehicle will die. Personally I'd take the time to have a look inside the filter assembly as it's better to know than guess.
 

Vince Waldon

Top Post Dawg
Joined
Apr 25, 2009
Location
Edmonton AB Canada
TDI
2001 ALH Jetta, 2003 ALH Wagon, 2005 BEW Wagon
A flashing glow plug light is just a "check engine" light... pure and simple. Could be fuel system damage, could be a sticking EGR, could be a brake light switch.

In other words.. a wide range of possibilities, and in my humble opinion a waste of time to throw internet guesses at. :)

Car needs to be scanned...it's trying to tell you what's wrong. :D
 

elcid

Member
Joined
Jan 6, 2013
Location
Chicago
TDI
2009 Jetta
Thanks guys, put a little over 100 miles on it today, no lights or issues. Im finishing up my third shift job, so I can take it in tomorrow morning.
 

nord

Veteran Member
Joined
Mar 5, 2010
Location
Southern Tier NY
TDI
All turned back to VW. Now a 2017 Hundai Tuscon. Not a single squalk in 10k miles.
Correct me if I misunderstood... Flashing Glowplug in combination with the CEL. If correct, then not your garden variety error code.
 

elcid

Member
Joined
Jan 6, 2013
Location
Chicago
TDI
2009 Jetta
When the Glow plug light started flashing, the info screen on the dash said "engine malfunction" or something similar. Sounded scary. The check engine light didnt stay on, I dont even remember if it came on. Once I pulled over, shut down the car and re started it, it was fine.
 

Tim Birney

Veteran Member
Joined
Dec 14, 2005
Location
Dearborn Heights, MI
TDI
05.5 TDI
Looked at a few threads, but didnt see my same issue. Basically I was driving today just leaving a resturant and my glow plug light started flashing, another with an engine malfunction warning and the car lost all it's balls. I pulled into a parking lot, shut the car off and turned it back on and didnt have a problem the rest of the day. I did notice that my gas door wasnt fully closed. Aside from the obvious of ge it to a dealer, has anyone experience something like this? It's an 09 Jetta TDI, and I cant get to a sjop for a few days, Im starting a new job tomorrow
Please have your car Scanned with a VAG-COM.

See this link, and input your ZIP CODE to find an owner of a VAG-COM HEX-CAN-USB/-COM cable.

http://forums.vwvortex.com/showthre...wners-pm-me-your-info-requested-in-the-thread
 

elcid

Member
Joined
Jan 6, 2013
Location
Chicago
TDI
2009 Jetta
turns out it was an EGR valve. So far getting it replaced has been more of a pain than anything.
 

MonsterTDI09

TDIClub Enthusiast, Veteran Member
Joined
Jul 3, 2009
Location
NoVa/NJ
TDI
2010 Jetta DSG/ up keep on 2009 Jetta DSG 2006 Jetta Pag 2 in North SEA Green
Do you mean exhast valve?
 

vitoal18t

Well-known member
Joined
Aug 22, 2005
TDI
Still dreaming....
at some point my Glow Plug light was flashing, it turned out to be Exhaust Gas Temperature sensors. Sensors got replaced, CEL went away along with Glow Plug flashing light.
 

williamgd2

Veteran Member
Joined
Sep 5, 2011
Location
West Hartford Ct
TDI
2010 Jetta
I have the same thing

And pulled these codes with vcds any ideas? I believe its the egr but would the egr throw these codes? I just changed the fuel filter no metal shavings.

Monday,20,May,2013,11:00:12:48274
VCDS Version: Beta 12.10.5 (x64)
Bill's Vw Jetta 2930
Address 01: Engine Labels: 03L-906-022-CBE.CLB
Control Module Part Number: 03L 906 019 CM HW: 03L 906 022 TS
Component and/or Version: R4 2,0L EDC G000AG 7967
Software Coding: 0050078
Work Shop Code: WSC 08092 444 21295
VCID: 78F42D660B6FD9DEB69
4 Faults Found:
000611 - Fuel Injector #1 (N30)
P0263 - 000 - Contribution/Balance Fault - MIL ON
Freeze Frame:
Fault Status: 11100000
Fault Priority: 2
Fault Frequency: 1
Mileage: 138989 km
Time Indication: 0
Freeze Frame:
RPM: 0 /min
Speed: 0.0 km/h
Voltage: 12.54 V
Temperature: -90.0°C
Temperature: 56.7°C
Inj. Quantity: 0.0 mg/str
Bin. Bits: 0000000
000617 - Fuel Injector #3 (N32)
P0269 - 000 - Contribution/Balance Fault - MIL ON
Freeze Frame:
Fault Status: 11100000
Fault Priority: 2
Fault Frequency: 1
Mileage: 138989 km
Time Indication: 0
Freeze Frame:
RPM: 0 /min
Speed: 0.0 km/h
Voltage: 12.54 V
Temperature: -90.0°C
Temperature: 56.7°C
Inj. Quantity: 0.0 mg/str
Bin. Bits: 0000000
000626 - Fuel Injector #4 (N33)
P0272 - 000 - Contribution/Balance Fault - MIL ON
Freeze Frame:
Fault Status: 11100000
Fault Priority: 2
Fault Frequency: 1
Mileage: 138989 km
Time Indication: 0
Freeze Frame:
RPM: 0 /min
Speed: 0.0 km/h
Voltage: 12.54 V
Temperature: -90.0°C
Temperature: 56.7°C
Inj. Quantity: 0.0 mg/str
Bin. Bits: 0000000
000614 - Fuel Injector #2 (N31)
P0266 - 000 - Contribution/Balance Fault - MIL ON
Freeze Frame:
Fault Status: 11100000
Fault Priority: 2
Fault Frequency: 1
Mileage: 138989 km
Time Indication: 0
Freeze Frame:
RPM: 0 /min
Speed: 0.0 km/h
Voltage: 12.54 V
Temperature: -90.0°C
Temperature: 56.7°C
Inj. Quantity: 0.0 mg/str
Bin. Bits: 0000000

Readiness: 0 0 0 0 1
 

aja8888

Top Post Dawg
Joined
Dec 25, 2007
Location
Texas..RETIRED 12/31/17
TDI
Out of TDI's
And pulled these codes with vcds any ideas? I believe its the egr but would the egr throw these codes? I just changed the fuel filter no metal shavings.

Monday,20,May,2013,11:00:12:48274
VCDS Version: Beta 12.10.5 (x64)
Bill's Vw Jetta 2930
Address 01: Engine Labels: 03L-906-022-CBE.CLB
Control Module Part Number: 03L 906 019 CM HW: 03L 906 022 TS
Component and/or Version: R4 2,0L EDC G000AG 7967
Software Coding: 0050078
Work Shop Code: WSC 08092 444 21295
VCID: 78F42D660B6FD9DEB69
4 Faults Found:
000611 - Fuel Injector #1 (N30)
P0263 - 000 - Contribution/Balance Fault - MIL ON
Freeze Frame:
Fault Status: 11100000
Fault Priority: 2
Fault Frequency: 1
Mileage: 138989 km
Time Indication: 0
Freeze Frame:
RPM: 0 /min
Speed: 0.0 km/h
Voltage: 12.54 V
Temperature: -90.0°C
Temperature: 56.7°C
Inj. Quantity: 0.0 mg/str
Bin. Bits: 0000000
000617 - Fuel Injector #3 (N32)
P0269 - 000 - Contribution/Balance Fault - MIL ON
Freeze Frame:
Fault Status: 11100000
Fault Priority: 2
Fault Frequency: 1
Mileage: 138989 km
Time Indication: 0
Freeze Frame:
RPM: 0 /min
Speed: 0.0 km/h
Voltage: 12.54 V
Temperature: -90.0°C
Temperature: 56.7°C
Inj. Quantity: 0.0 mg/str
Bin. Bits: 0000000
000626 - Fuel Injector #4 (N33)
P0272 - 000 - Contribution/Balance Fault - MIL ON
Freeze Frame:
Fault Status: 11100000
Fault Priority: 2
Fault Frequency: 1
Mileage: 138989 km
Time Indication: 0
Freeze Frame:
RPM: 0 /min
Speed: 0.0 km/h
Voltage: 12.54 V
Temperature: -90.0°C
Temperature: 56.7°C
Inj. Quantity: 0.0 mg/str
Bin. Bits: 0000000
000614 - Fuel Injector #2 (N31)
P0266 - 000 - Contribution/Balance Fault - MIL ON
Freeze Frame:
Fault Status: 11100000
Fault Priority: 2
Fault Frequency: 1
Mileage: 138989 km
Time Indication: 0
Freeze Frame:
RPM: 0 /min
Speed: 0.0 km/h
Voltage: 12.54 V
Temperature: -90.0°C
Temperature: 56.7°C
Inj. Quantity: 0.0 mg/str
Bin. Bits: 0000000

Readiness: 0 0 0 0 1
You are getting no fuel to the fuel injectors. The system may need to be primed since you just changed the fuel filter.
 

williamgd2

Veteran Member
Joined
Sep 5, 2011
Location
West Hartford Ct
TDI
2010 Jetta
I primed the filter and ran it for 10 minutes how can I not be getting fuel? I will bleed the injector lines but something isn't right about no fuel.
 

elcid

Member
Joined
Jan 6, 2013
Location
Chicago
TDI
2009 Jetta
Elcid, let us know the final outcome and post error codes if you can.
Unfortunately I can't post the codes, but the final outcome was my extended warranty covered the repair and a rental (2013 Passat, not a bad car, but my Jetta is better)
 

williamgd2

Veteran Member
Joined
Sep 5, 2011
Location
West Hartford Ct
TDI
2010 Jetta
Just to follow up with my glow plug light flashing. I had a p0401 code egr low flow intermittent with a cel and a flashing GP light. So I took out the egr valve and it was a mess so I cleaned it real good with 3 cans of throttle body cleaner and a small brass bristle parts cleaning brush and reassembled with all new seals and gaskets. I started the car with no cel but still a flashing glow plug light then the dpf light comes on so I take it on the highway and do a manual regen and the dpf light goes out but the car still isn't running right. I get home and read that I have to do a throttle body alignment so I do that with my ross tech cable and still flashing GP light so while in vcds with the engine off I cycle the fuel pump 3Xs and on startup no trouble lights and car runs like a champ.
 
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