[Vwdiesel] Help evaluating Jetta TDI?

[Doyt W. Echelberger]

I'm driving lots of cars that are for sale, and not just diesels,  because 
mine are all very old and I think I want something that is more reliable in 
my old age. Yeah, I'm one of those. Never thought it would happen to me. 
Anyhow.....

I did a test drive last night with a 2001 VW Jetta TDI stick shift that had 
27k on the odo. Nice silver little beast.

Crisp accurate easy gates for the shifting. Good driveability. Good lights. 
Nice heated leather seats. Good steering feel, great leather-wrapped 
steering wheel. Heater took considerable time to warm up the cabin.

Firm ride that was a little bouncy at times, but well-snubbed.

More 'air-rushing-by' noise than I expected at 60 mph. Also considerable 
road noise coming through into the cabin at highway speed. (My test drive 
in a new Honda Accord was very very quiet, comparably.)

Surreal impression from all those little points of red light from 
various  switches all around the cockpit at night.

Wife commented on the limited vertical leg room in the front passenger 
footwell. Sort of a V-shaped foot space, I guess.

PROBLEM: The double-loop symbol yellow light on the dash (that indicates 
operating glow plugs on start-up) came on and continued to blink all during 
the test drive. It never went out.  Owner said "Oh, that just does that. 
Don't worry about it."

QUESTION/STATEMENT: Certainly the blinking means there is a problem with 
the glow plug system. But what problem?.   Stuck relay?   High resistance 
in circuit due to infinite resistance in one or more broken plugs?

I am not subscribed to the TDI forum, nor do I have access to a TDI owner's 
manual.  Anybody know about the possible meanings of the blinking double 
loop warning?

The answers will help me estimate the cost of fixing whatever is wrong. I 
couldn't drive it with that light blinking away whenever it is 
running.  I'll just deduct the cost of the repair from the offer I make on 
the car.

Comments greatly appreciated.

Doyt Echelberger
85 Jetta TD    running daily
84 Rabbit na D   running daily
82 Jetta na D,  RIP 2002