[Vwdiesel] glow plugs

[LBaird119 at aol.com]

> Is it common for all four glow plugs to fail at about the same time? If 
> one or more glow plugs are shot, do the remaining plugs each get more 
> current because they are connected in a paralel circuit? If this is the 
> case, does the failure of one quickly cause the failure of the rest from 
> over current (overheating)?

  Nope, sometimes a couple will go but rarely all 4 unless you just give 
them enough time for all to eventually fail.  You want good enough 
connections that you get near proper voltage whether you have one 
or 4 good ones.  They're rated for 12V so getting full voltage shouldn't 
damage them.

> Can cycling the glow plugs on especially cold days cause them to fry 
> faster?.

  Typically it doesn't seem to.  I think a LOT of us have done the two-
cycles-before-cranking-freeze-our-butt-off-in-the-process starts during 
really cold weather.  ;-)

> When I finally got it home around 8 this evening, I checked the 
> fuse (only a 10 A on an 85 Golf?) and it was fine. 

  Should be a 40(?) amp blade fuse on the firewall.  Held in with two 
phillips head bolts.  It's in-line on the red/white stripe wire to the 
glow plug bus and not too far from the brake booster.

> 
> What would cause all the plugs to fail so quickly?
> 

  Usually a bad glow plug relay.  If it sticks on or comes back on and 
stays on well after starting then it's bad.  Mine did it in the 85 Jetta but 
luckily I heard it click in.  New relay and all has been well since.
     Loren