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

Mon Jan 25 12:23:21 PST 2010

I know that VW recommends replacing all GPs at a set and not mixing brands,
but I've broken both of those rules to no ill effect.  In fact this is the
first time I've heard of it causing a problem... maybe having something to
do with replacing both plugs on the same half of the circuit.

and FYI, some time after 01 (03 IIRC) they went to a different system where
each plug was monitored individually rather than 1&2 vs 3&4.

On Mon, Jan 25, 2010 at 11:03 AM, Dave Cook <davevw at yahoo.com> wrote:

> 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
> > > _______________________________________________
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> > >
> >
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>
>
>
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