[Vwdiesel] 2001 Golf GLOW PLUG CIRCUIT error (was Headlight Issue - cont'd)

[James Hansen]

Yes, if you jumper the two glow circuits, you get equal voltage drop, hence
no CEL, but you have to clear the code IIRC or the light will stay on.
Cleaning the harness connectors does work for the most part, but it's
another example of how ignorantly loyal we VW people are. The glow plugs not
working is an emissions issue because it smokes more at start when they
don't work.

I would recommend fixing the brakes however.
Do they use a scan tool or just look at the dash to see a light?
Sometimes the lights fail to come on *coff*.  Not sure how that could
happen, but abs is a rather good invention that I would like to see working
all the time were it mine.  Wheel sensors and wiring are usually the
culprit. You have VCDS now, right?  That should help narrow it down.

-james

> -----Original Message-----
> From: vwdiesel-bounces at vwfans.com [mailto:vwdiesel-bounces at vwfans.com]
> On Behalf Of Rolf Pechukas
> Sent: Saturday, April 25, 2009 11:45 AM
> To: vwdiesel at vwfans.com; VW-TDI at yahoogroups.com
> Subject: Re: [Vwdiesel] 2001 Golf GLOW PLUG CIRCUIT error (was
> Headlight Issue - cont'd)
> 
> hey gang
> 
> so I finally fixed the headlight issue
> turns out the brand-new bulb I bought was bad
> LOOKED fine, but wasn't
> replaced and all good
> 
> went to get insp sticker and FAILED
> 
> why??
> 
> b/c the Check Engine light was on
> 
> code? 380 - Glow Plug circuit
> 
> failed for 'Emissions' (?!)
> 
> even though this error has nothing to do with emissions, apparently
> any computer code error gets lumped under 'emissions'
> 
> so this Golf has apparently had this GP circuit issue for a long time
> PO had the wiring harness replaced to no avail
> 
> I remember asking about this a while back, and someone said that the
> GP sensor tests for resistance difference between the 2 sides (2 GPs
> per side) of the GP circuit
> 
> if it finds a difference, it registers an error
> for some reason, it's finding a difference
> 
> no issue w/ GPs - starts fine cold, even thru winter - chick vroom
> 
> QUESTION:
> is it possible to 'hotwire' or 'jump' this sensor somehow so it no
> longer 'sees' a difference between the 2 sides?
> b/c I have 60 days to fix this problem (thankfully it's not 7)
> 
> also:
> ABS lite comes on intermittently too
> could be just wasn't on during inspectn
> but I could fix GP issue and still fail on re-inspection for ABS error
> any way to jump THAT sensor?
> 
> thanks for all your help guys
> I do NOT know my way around these late-model cars
> looking wistfully at the 81 Rabbit sitting in my driveway
> 
> BTW, I'd hate that to sit for too long
> anyone want a great Rabbit that needs a head gasket?
> new tires, running like a top before it blew, some rust, but a great
> daily driver
> just don't know when I'm going to get to the head, and would hate for
> it to rot
> 
> thanks again,
> 
> Rolf in MA
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