Where is the A4 Glow Plug relay
- Thread starter Jimmy
- Start date
kenneth schreiber
Member
- Joined
- Feb 22, 1999
- Location
- cleveland, ohio, usa
Jimmy, I don't think it matters where the glow plug relay is since you have to reset the computer if an error occurs. I have had the same problem for the past 10 months with my new beetle. I am now on my second relay.
kenneth schreiber
Member
- Joined
- Feb 22, 1999
- Location
- cleveland, ohio, usa
Jimmy, I don't think it matters where the glow plug relay is since you have to reset the computer if an error occurs. I have had the same problem for the past 10 months with my new beetle. I am now on my second relay.
S
SkyPup
Guest
Does anyone know if this glowpug relay problem has been rectified by VW yet? My 98NB glowplug went out at about 4,500 miles on the odometer. Do the 99's come with a different relay to prevent this hassle???
Yes it has and the fault is the relay itself. I spoke to a VW tech this morning - any fault in the Glowplug circuit sets an error code, and one this is set the Service Engine light will come on and stay on. The only way to extinguish the lamp is to hook up the VAG1551 and clear the codes. What a nusance.
BTW, the 99 TDi (and likely the '97 - '98 as well) has 5 Glow plugs. Four are in the cylinders and 3 are in the cooling system to heat the coolant to speed the warm up from really cold. They should put in 3 more for Canadian vehicles as it takes a long time to warm up in winter compared to the gas version!
I will be seeing the mechanic soon so I will ask him about the A4 GP's
BTW, the 99 TDi (and likely the '97 - '98 as well) has 5 Glow plugs. Four are in the cylinders and 3 are in the cooling system to heat the coolant to speed the warm up from really cold. They should put in 3 more for Canadian vehicles as it takes a long time to warm up in winter compared to the gas version!
I will be seeing the mechanic soon so I will ask him about the A4 GP's
A4 Glow Plugs 101
The glow plug relay for A4 cars (Jetta/Golf/NewBeetle?) is located under the dash with a large “180” printed on the outside.
Most of the relays in the car are this location, including the DRL relay labeled “173”. On a Tdi , two more relays are under the hood in a little plastic box mounted on the firewall.
The Glow Plug fuses are in the plastic assembly that lives on the top of the battery. This assembly is in the center of what forms the battery cover, and is like a “chinese puzzle” of hinged plastic bits. The fuses are not like an ordinary fuse: It is a stamped metal plate (of which there are several in this location), one end bolts to a power distribution bus bar, and a thick cable bolted on the other end. On the right hand side of the bus-bar assembly are three regular 30A fuses (green colour, user replaceable without any tool), and just to the left of these are the set of fuse links and retaining nuts. Each link has the value stamped on it such as 50A or 110A – yes, that is 110 Amps folks. The Glow Plugs run on one of these 50A fuses.
Should the fuse blow, the relay fail to close, a glow plug burn out, or any thing to cause reduced current in this circuit will set an error code in the ECU. The only way to clear the ECU error is to visit your dealer and let them hook up the VAG1551 to view and clear the code (unless you have your own !)
So, for those of you with “glow plug” errors, this part of the circuit should come under close scrutiny, especially the connection at the battery, and possible hairline cracks in the fuse. These can happen if installed improperly, or if the terminals are too loose.
The glow plug relay for A4 cars (Jetta/Golf/NewBeetle?) is located under the dash with a large “180” printed on the outside.
Most of the relays in the car are this location, including the DRL relay labeled “173”. On a Tdi , two more relays are under the hood in a little plastic box mounted on the firewall.
The Glow Plug fuses are in the plastic assembly that lives on the top of the battery. This assembly is in the center of what forms the battery cover, and is like a “chinese puzzle” of hinged plastic bits. The fuses are not like an ordinary fuse: It is a stamped metal plate (of which there are several in this location), one end bolts to a power distribution bus bar, and a thick cable bolted on the other end. On the right hand side of the bus-bar assembly are three regular 30A fuses (green colour, user replaceable without any tool), and just to the left of these are the set of fuse links and retaining nuts. Each link has the value stamped on it such as 50A or 110A – yes, that is 110 Amps folks. The Glow Plugs run on one of these 50A fuses.
Should the fuse blow, the relay fail to close, a glow plug burn out, or any thing to cause reduced current in this circuit will set an error code in the ECU. The only way to clear the ECU error is to visit your dealer and let them hook up the VAG1551 to view and clear the code (unless you have your own !)
So, for those of you with “glow plug” errors, this part of the circuit should come under close scrutiny, especially the connection at the battery, and possible hairline cracks in the fuse. These can happen if installed improperly, or if the terminals are too loose.
Sparky
Member
- Joined
- Mar 18, 1999
- Location
- Dallas, TX
Everyone keeps talking about "Glowplugs", but I believe the 98 TDIs use a heat grid located in the intake manifold at the intake port. Mine does not have anything other than the injectors screwed into the head. So I assume that it is using a grid