NEW 28F6/T9 Glow plug recall for 04-05 TDI

Richptl

Vendor
Joined
Jan 11, 2011
Location
Apalachin, NY
TDI
2004 Jetta TDI automatic 305,000 miles
"For now I'm going to proceed knowing the risks. If the initial duty cycle map is more agressive than needed I will be changing glow plugs more often than before. If it is less aggressive then I will be doing repeat glow cycles on cold days to get started. I'm fairly confident there is nothing to worry about."

Please report on the performance of just replacing the GPs with the NGKs. I may like to do this too and get rid of the Bosch ceramics. I never had the recall done because I do not want to loose my chip tune.

There isn't any chance the old programming, along with the old style GP realy (controller) could damage the NGKs to the point of breaking is there? Along with the ECU reprogramming, the CP controller was changed to I believe the "D" suffix part number (from a "C"). So we now have two variables for the NGKs--new ECU coding and an upgraded glow plug controller/relay.

--Nate
I am seeing conflicts about "C" and "D" also. I think the "D" is for the BHM engine and the "C" is for the BEW. So be careful about this.
 

Richptl

Vendor
Joined
Jan 11, 2011
Location
Apalachin, NY
TDI
2004 Jetta TDI automatic 305,000 miles
Truth is that we don't know if the Bosch programming is compatible with the NGK glow plugs. I have asked this question several times over and nobody knows. That's why I got the latest glow plug recall done with the latest software. Car starts and runs great now.
Ditto. I got a new Bosch "C" model glow plug control unit and the car starts crappy. I got a burst of 2 seconds at 7 volts then 18 seconds at 4 volts at the module output.

I have an ammeter used for testing alternators that I can put in series with the 50 amp fusible link feeding the glow plug control unit, then I can have a better idea of wattage I am generating.

My car supposedly has the 7 volt programming in the ECU but I put NGK plugs in it, and I strongly believe that the combo of the ECU and control unit with the NGK plugs is under-firing the glow plugs.

I don't think that there is a simple closed loop relationship between the ECU and glow plug unit whereby the ECU says "give me 7 volts" and the glow plug control unit regulates to that level.
 

golfytdi

Active member
Joined
Aug 12, 2005
Location
Wisconsin
TDI
2005 PD Wagon, 2010 Sportwagen
I had mine updated yesterday with new plugs, controller and flashed ecm. It never had the original recall done. The car had been starting pretty poorly but this morning it popped off at about 30 Degrees F about how my 2010 would have started. (2005 Wagon with BEW engine @ 60k).
 

Fingers154

Active member
Joined
Jun 13, 2011
Location
Lac du Bonnet, Manitoba
TDI
2004 Jetta
It appears that mine had the original recall done before I bought the car but as soon as the temps dropped it was horrible. They replaced the plugs, the controller and flashed the ECM. Now it starts like a dream even at much colder temps. No hassles at all from the dealer and it didn't cost me a penny, just a trip to Winnipeg.
 

technocrat

Well-known member
Joined
Mar 6, 2005
Location
South Eastern, PA
TDI
jetta, 2004, tan
Ditto. I got a new Bosch "C" model glow plug control unit and the car starts crappy. I got a burst of 2 seconds at 7 volts then 18 seconds at 4 volts at the module output.

I have an ammeter used for testing alternators that I can put in series with the 50 amp fusible link feeding the glow plug control unit, then I can have a better idea of wattage I am generating.

My car supposedly has the 7 volt programming in the ECU but I put NGK plugs in it, and I strongly believe that the combo of the ECU and control unit with the NGK plugs is under-firing the glow plugs.

I don't think that there is a simple closed loop relationship between the ECU and glow plug unit whereby the ECU says "give me 7 volts" and the glow plug control unit regulates to that level.
2 seconds at 7 volts followed by 4 volts seems to me like a profile for a 5 volt plug; initial over voltage followed by regulated power delivery. Did you do this test with the temp sensor unplugged to simulate cold start conditions?

If at some point you find yourself willing to cut open your old GP controller, I would be interested in knowing what's inside it. Based on the selling price, I can't imagine that there is any digital intellegence inside and suspect it is mostly capacitive and inductive pulse shaping components. I could be wrong though and admit that I haven't done my homework on the subject.
 

Richptl

Vendor
Joined
Jan 11, 2011
Location
Apalachin, NY
TDI
2004 Jetta TDI automatic 305,000 miles
2 seconds at 7 volts followed by 4 volts seems to me like a profile for a 5 volt plug; initial over voltage followed by regulated power delivery. Did you do this test with the temp sensor unplugged to simulate cold start conditions?

If at some point you find yourself willing to cut open your old GP controller, I would be interested in knowing what's inside it. Based on the selling price, I can't imagine that there is any digital intellegence inside and suspect it is mostly capacitive and inductive pulse shaping components. I could be wrong though and admit that I haven't done my homework on the subject.
The controller costs $150, 3x as much as the simpler ones for other cars. I agree that the profile looks like a set-up for a 5 volt glow plug. The tuner at KermaTDI swears that I do not have the 5 volt duty cycle profile.

I am not so sure about unplugging the coolant sensor. From my other write-up, when I unplug the sensor the ECU substitutes the fuel temp for the coolant temp, and the glow plug light duration follows accordingly. I did the test with the car parked outside on a cold night.
 

bumblebeetdi

Well-known member
Joined
Oct 27, 2009
Location
Kentucky, USA
TDI
2006 Sunflower Yellow Beetle (Bumble Bee)
will they still do a recall on a VW out of the factory warranty? Just wondering. Mine just hit the 100k mark a month ago and was told by Bruce that they updated the previous recall and flash and is now working with the new flash they have.
 

Celerity

Well-known member
Joined
Nov 29, 2010
Location
Oregon City
TDI
2013 JSW 6MT; 2004 Golf 09A (sold)
Yes, warranty doesn't matter with the recall, it's an EPA emissions issue so they have to fix it.
 

turbocharged798

Veteran Member
Joined
May 21, 2009
Location
Ellenville, NY
TDI
99.5 black ALH Jetta;09 Gasser Jetta
Just started my 04 in 5*F and it started up instantly, hardly any cranking at all. Sure was mean sounding engine though!

VW got it right this time.
 

turbocharged798

Veteran Member
Joined
May 21, 2009
Location
Ellenville, NY
TDI
99.5 black ALH Jetta;09 Gasser Jetta
How was the white smoke (unburned fuel) at this temperature?

--Nate
Wasn't too bad although it still smokes on a cold startup. There was a decent puff of white/blue smoke but it seems to go away quick.Seems better than before the reflash. You should have seen this car when we first got it. It had ALH glow plugs. Talk about a smoke bomb when temps were below 32*F!:eek:
 

PDJetta

Top Post Dawg
Joined
Nov 6, 2003
Location
Northern Virginia
TDI
'04 Jetta GLS TDI Pumpe Duce Platinum Grey w/ Leather
Mine is a smoke bomb at anything below 35 degrees F, but I never had any of the recalls done. Smoked the same way and ran rough for a few seconds when brand new too.

--Nate
 

mlemorie

Veteran Member
Joined
Aug 15, 2009
Location
Romulus Michigan
TDI
2004 Jetta
Mine is still smokey and a bit rough as well when it is cold out, but between the new plugs/flash and the crank sensor TSB, the car lights off really fast every time. I think mine was an early production date 04 though, so I could have the different injectors that have been mentioned elsewhere. If I plug in my frost heater I have no issues with smoke. My dealership finally realized that I was still in the system and had access to VW info and closed it off this week, so looks like I will have to wait like everyone else to see if anything new comes out lol.
 

turbocharged798

Veteran Member
Joined
May 21, 2009
Location
Ellenville, NY
TDI
99.5 black ALH Jetta;09 Gasser Jetta
From what I heard from Drivbiwire, he said that the early 04 injectors were the least likely to fail or have any issues. So, it seems like the 04 injectors run smokier, but are more robust.

This is just from the data I have gathered from on these forums. No idea if its true or not.
 

QuickWrite

Veteran Member
Joined
Dec 24, 2003
Location
Sacto
TDI
2005 Jetta GLS TDI wagon, 5-speed
Can anyone tell me exactly what part number is the preferred replacement glow plug at this point -- assuming your ECU has not been reflashed? What I'm gleaning is that it is NGK N10591609, which is the updated-but-still-ceramic-tipped 7V glow plug. But can somebody confirm that?
 

turbocharged798

Veteran Member
Joined
May 21, 2009
Location
Ellenville, NY
TDI
99.5 black ALH Jetta;09 Gasser Jetta
Can anyone tell me exactly what part number is the preferred replacement glow plug at this point -- assuming your ECU has not been reflashed? What I'm gleaning is that it is NGK N10591609, which is the updated-but-still-ceramic-tipped 7V glow plug. But can somebody confirm that?
There is none, hence the recall. The original software was originally for Bosch ceramic ones, which are now NLA and for a good reason.

The original software *may* work OK with the NGK glow plugs, but I would highly recommend getting the latest software for it since its free and flawless from what I have experienced.
 

Jmac444

Active member
Joined
Jan 2, 2011
Location
Western MA
TDI
2006 NB TDI BEW DSG PKG 1
I just bought four new 7v ngk gps from id parts. They have said customers have reported goodluck with the originial software and with out the recall bieng done obviously. Is it possible the dealer is just reflashing with the original software or does someone know for a fact its a different program.
 

turbocharged798

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May 21, 2009
Location
Ellenville, NY
TDI
99.5 black ALH Jetta;09 Gasser Jetta
I just bought four new 7v ngk gps from id parts. They have said customers have reported goodluck with the originial software and with out the recall bieng done obviously. Is it possible the dealer is just reflashing with the original software or does someone know for a fact its a different program.
No, its different software. A chip tuner said the entire Glow plug file is different on the new software than the original software.

Whether or not the original software works with the NGK glow plugs on long term remains to be unknown.
 

Jmac444

Active member
Joined
Jan 2, 2011
Location
Western MA
TDI
2006 NB TDI BEW DSG PKG 1
No, its different software. A chip tuner said the entire Glow plug file is different on the new software than the original software.

Whether or not the original software works with the NGK glow plugs on long term remains to be unknown.
Do you know if somebody like malone tuning has the new glowplug software id rather just get a tuner a dowload the new file on my ecu than deal with the stealer there pretty incompetent in my area.
 

Jmac444

Active member
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Jan 2, 2011
Location
Western MA
TDI
2006 NB TDI BEW DSG PKG 1
I emailed malone tuning the 7v ngk software is available through him. Its another option for everybody trying to avoid the stealer.
 

Richptl

Vendor
Joined
Jan 11, 2011
Location
Apalachin, NY
TDI
2004 Jetta TDI automatic 305,000 miles
Sorry for the delay but I had the 7 volt NGK plugs with the "C" version glow plug control unit and the original ECU tuning. I got the ECU reprogrammed today at the dealership. Look back and you will see that I did some thorough voltage and current tests for the glow plugs. Basically I got about a 2 second pulse at 6 volts then the remainder at 4 volts with the NGK plugs and stock program. So the plugs have not been getting very hot or effective.

Once we get a little colder again I will park outside and report back on how it starts and what sort of voltage/current/time behavior I see with the 28F6/T9 program, NGK plugs, and "C" control unit (my car had the "A" originally).
 

Jmac444

Active member
Joined
Jan 2, 2011
Location
Western MA
TDI
2006 NB TDI BEW DSG PKG 1
Sorry for the delay but I had the 7 volt NGK plugs with the "C" version glow plug control unit and the original ECU tuning. I got the ECU reprogrammed today at the dealership. Look back and you will see that I did some thorough voltage and current tests for the glow plugs. Basically I got about a 2 second pulse at 6 volts then the remainder at 4 volts with the NGK plugs and stock program. So the plugs have not been getting very hot or effective.

Once we get a little colder again I will park outside and report back on how it starts and what sort of voltage/current/time behavior I see with the 28F6/T9 program, NGK plugs, and "C" control unit (my car had the "A" originally).
Mhmm i guess i could roll the dice and see how my car starts with "A" gp control unit or get the "C" gp control unit any input on this im getting flashzilla and going to put the new 7v ngk gp software on it.Where can i get the "C" gp control unit, i didn't see it on id parts website.
 
Last edited:

QuickWrite

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Dec 24, 2003
Location
Sacto
TDI
2005 Jetta GLS TDI wagon, 5-speed
Thx for the replies. Was just wondering if I go ahead and swap in this newer NGK part number if it would work without a reflash. Sounds like it will work, but may not be flawless.

Hey 798: "flawless" is a pretty strong recommendation, given all the sordid history with this glow plug reflash problem (cruise control problems, mpg reductions, etc.). So I gotta ask. Did you really mean to use that word? :eek: Does VW finally have its sh*t together on this reflash? :rolleyes:


The original software *may* work OK with the NGK glow plugs, but I would highly recommend getting the latest software for it since its free and flawless from what I have experienced.
 

Jmac444

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Joined
Jan 2, 2011
Location
Western MA
TDI
2006 NB TDI BEW DSG PKG 1
From what I have read and who I have talked to just replacing the bosch 7v plugs with the 7v ngk works. Replacing the glow plug control unit with "C" version and reflashing with new software while using the ngk glow plugs works the best which is what im doing i ordered the new gp control unit today.
 

turbocharged798

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May 21, 2009
Location
Ellenville, NY
TDI
99.5 black ALH Jetta;09 Gasser Jetta
Thx for the replies. Was just wondering if I go ahead and swap in this newer NGK part number if it would work without a reflash. Sounds like it will work, but may not be flawless.

Hey 798: "flawless" is a pretty strong recommendation, given all the sordid history with this glow plug reflash problem (cruise control problems, mpg reductions, etc.). So I gotta ask. Did you really mean to use that word? :eek: Does VW finally have its sh*t together on this reflash? :rolleyes:
Well, I can't find any bugs in the software so that to me would be flawless. Starts instantly hot or cold no matter what temp. I can pull 50+MPG highway and has great power.

I say this ECU firmware is pretty dang good from what I have experienced.
 

Richptl

Vendor
Joined
Jan 11, 2011
Location
Apalachin, NY
TDI
2004 Jetta TDI automatic 305,000 miles
Mhmm i guess i could roll the dice and see how my car starts with "A" gp control unit or get the "C" gp control unit any input on this im getting flashzilla and going to put the new 7v ngk gp software on it.Where can i get the "C" gp control unit, i didn't see it on id parts website.
See some of my earlier posts for more diagnostic info. I have the NGK 7 volt plugs, the "C" glow plug control unit, and this week I got the dealer to flash with the new software.

What I found is that the "Pre-Glow" voltage now is 9.5 volts instead of 6.5 volts. It appears that the post-glow voltage is about the same. This should about double the wattage, and heat, during the pre-glow period.

Alas I don't really trust my ammeter all that well. I measure 0.6 ohms from glow plug jack to ground, and 0.2 ohms with my leads. But I wouldn't use the 0.4 ohms as effective resistance. With the glow plug control unit sending high speed pulses to the glow plugs, inductance also comes into play.

My best guess is effective impedance of about 1 ohm, which means about 10 amps or 100 watts (volts x amps) for that first few seconds. Since the 50 amps fuse at 12 volts supports 600 watts, and I expect the glow plug control unit to be 80-90% efficient, this seems to make sense, 400 watts effective output from 600 watts maximum input.

So in answer to some questions, there is more heating being offered with the recall tuning vs. using new plugs, new control module but no reflash.

Kudos to Maquire VW in Ithaca, NY as they did not balk about doing the flash with me having done the plugs/module, and someone in the service dept. called to say that they will submit to VW of America to get me my reimbursement for the module and plugs.
 

Jmac444

Active member
Joined
Jan 2, 2011
Location
Western MA
TDI
2006 NB TDI BEW DSG PKG 1
I was under the impression it was "C" before reading the actual tsb, i guess ill be ordering "D" now unless somebody else states otherwise?
 

DeliveryValve

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Joined
Mar 27, 2007
Location
Western US
TDI
Passat GLS Wagon
I was under the impression it was "C" before reading the actual tsb, i guess ill be ordering "D" now unless somebody else states otherwise?
After further research, the confusion is on the idparts.com website in which it lists the "D" for only the BRM engine, which contradicts the 28F6/T9 service action TSB in which the "D" version can be used on the BEW.

Glow Plug Relay (Late BRM)
OE Part Number: 038907281D

Glow plug relay for A5 chassis TDIs with engine code BRM. This relay fits all 2009 TDIs and 06 cars with the last six digits of the VIN higher than 617 332.
And it lists the "C" for the BEW.

Glow Plug Relay (A4 Late ALH BEW)
OE Part Number: 038907281C
Manufacturer's Part Number: 038907281C

This Dealer supplied OEM part is for the 2002+ models with the 4-Pin glow plug harness, including the 2004+ models with the BEW engine code (PD injectors). This relay is located in the windshield wiper cowl, near the ECU.

If the BRM engined vehicles came with the "D" version, then it would make sense to me the "D" version not the "C" version would be used with the NGK plugged BEW's, since the BRM originally came with NGK's.



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