[Vwdiesel] how do I know I have a bad glow plug in newer TDI

Mon Jan 25 12:13:33 PST 2010

GREAT stuff, thanks Dave.

I forgot that you work at a dealship.  great to have you on the list.
2 banks then, 1,2 and 3,4.
nice trick on swapping them to balance get the CEL out.

 Bryan Belman, Pt. Pleasant, NJ
04 Jetta Wagon TDI PD, 100hp, 5sp -- running :)
92 Jetta 1.6 Eco-Turbo Diesel -- running :}
82 Diesel Westy 1.9NA -- running :)
70 Type 1 stock Beetle -- Not running :( 

________________________________
From: Dave Cook <davevw at yahoo.com>
To: Joe <joe at haasenpfeffer.com>; VW Diesel Group <vwdiesel at vwfans.com>
Sent: Mon, January 25, 2010 2:03:55 PM
Subject: Re: [Vwdiesel] how do I know I have a bad glow plug in newer TDI

They vary a bit between brands!  I worked on an '02 a few weeks ago.  On that one, the computer measures the resistance of plugs 1 and 2 vs 3 and 4.  Well, 3 and 4 were burned out so I put in new.  The new plugs were a different brand than the other two.  The check engine light came on even with the new plugs.  So I measured resistance of all 4.  None were open, but the resistance values were a little different (IIRC, 1 and 2 were like 1.8 ohms each, while 3 and 4, the new ones, were like 1.5 each)  That difference was enough that the CEL tripped. 

So, I swapped 2 and 3 around and balance was achieved and to my knowledge, the CEL hasn't been on since!  I think the idea of measuring resistance is OK for determining if a plug is burned out, but I think the computer is a little too sensitive.

Dave Cook

--- On Mon, 1/25/10, Joe <joe at haasenpfeffer.com> wrote:

> From: Joe <joe at haasenpfeffer.com>
> Subject: Re: [Vwdiesel] how do I know I have a bad glow plug in newer TDI
> To: vwdiesel at vwfans.com
> Date: Monday, January 25, 2010, 6:46 PM
> What should the resistance to ground
> be for a glow plug?  And do they vary
> over the years?  Mine's an 82 1.6L n/a.
> 
> Joe
> 
> 
> 
> -----Original Message-----
> From: vwdiesel-bounces at vwfans.com
> [mailto:vwdiesel-bounces at vwfans.com]
> On
> Behalf Of Patrick Dolan
> Sent: Monday, January 25, 2010 1:11 PM
> To: Bryan Belman
> Cc: vwdiesel at vwfans.com
> Subject: Re: [Vwdiesel] how do I know I have a bad glow
> plug in newer TDI
> 
> Brian:  
> 
> I can't speak for the PD, but the ALH definitely sets a cel
> and records code
> for GP fail.  Expect PDs do too.  You don't need
> to pull the GP.  Just pop
> the harness off and use an ohm meter to measure
> resistance.
> 
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: Bryan Belman <dieselwesty at yahoo.com>
> Date: Monday, January 25, 2010 11:58 am
> Subject: Re: [Vwdiesel] how do I know I have a bad glow
> plug in newer TDI
> 
> > on the newer TDI's, will a failed glow plug turn on
> the CEL?  I do 
> > not think it will.
> > 
> > Is the easiest way to test them to pull each one and
> hook up to 
> > some battery cables on a spare battery to see
> it glow, just like I 
> > test old style GP's
> > 
> > ?
> > The van is back up and running again, I just wish I
> had a good way 
> > to lock the crank.  With the muffle installed you can
> not remove 
> > the lower belt pulley on the crank gear to attach any
> type of home 
> > made crank lock to keep it at TDC when setting the
> belt tension.  
> > It just takes more farting with it to get it perfect
> and it takes 
> > time.My new Mr. Heater double disc propane burner
> unit Did the 
> > Trick to keep me super warm, almost to warm, but it
> was not a cold 
> > weekend in NJ this past weekend.
> > 
> >  Bryan Belman, Pt. Pleasant, NJ
> > 04 Jetta Wagon TDI PD, 100hp, 5sp -- running :)
> > 92 Jetta 1.6 Eco-Turbo Diesel -- running :}
> > 82 Diesel Westy 1.9NA -- running :)
> > 70 Type 1 stock Beetle -- Not running :( 
> > 
> > 
> > 
> > 
> > ________________________________
> > From: "lbaird119 at aol.com"
> <lbaird119 at aol.com>
> > To: vwdiesel at vwfans.com
> > Sent: Sun, January 24, 2010 2:51:21 AM
> > Subject: Re: [Vwdiesel] VW at the Detroit Auto Show
> > 
> > In a message dated 1/23/2010 4:18:30 PM Pacific
> Standard Time, 
> > vwzoo at yahoo.com
> writes:
> > 
> > > Does anyone know what all they add to the new
> diesels that help 
> > them 
> > > start in the cold. I sure would like mine to
> start that well in 
> > the cold. 
> > > 
> > >  By the way I decided to do the right thing and
> just replace 
> > that caliper 
> > > on my daughters 1990 Volvo 240. Thanks for all of
> your replies.
> > > 
> > 
> >   Direct injection has a lot to do with it.  The
> rest like Hayden 
> > said.  
> > But then, the old ones don't start that badly.  I've
> had my '80 
> > Rabbit 
> > be one of the few vehicles (gas or diesel) that
> started well at -
> > 35F, 
> > without using the block heater.
> >   Down around zero I was having trouble with the
> Passat this year, 
> > with only one bad glow plug.  (it needs injectors). 
> Dad's has the 
> > hot chipping and new injectors.  He had trouble
> starting at the 
> > same temp (about 2 minutes he said) but he only had
> ONE working 
> > glow plug!
> >   Good oil, glow plugs, air filter, fuel, injectors
> compression 
> > and 
> > battery with the timing set properly and I'd say
> almost any of our 
> > diesels (except the re-flashed TDI's) would start
> quite dependably 
> > at -35F.  The non TDI's would just have to glow a lot
> longer 
> > before 
> > trying.
> >   Loren
> > _______________________________________________
> > Vwdiesel mailing list
> > Vwdiesel at vwfans.com
> > http://www.audifans.com/mailman/listinfo/vwdiesel
> > _______________________________________________
> > Vwdiesel mailing list
> > Vwdiesel at vwfans.com
> > http://www.audifans.com/mailman/listinfo/vwdiesel
> > 
> 
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