A4 TDi ('07' plate) Glowplug preheater warning light.
Discussion
I have an '07' plate A4 TDi (140 PS). This morning shortly after starting the engine and driving off I noticed that the glowplug preheater warning light was flashing. The engine seemed to be running normally so I continued my journey of 5 miles. When I set off on my return journey the glowplug warning light was still flashing and then the ESP light came on and stayed on.
I suspect that these warning lights may be the result of a bad connection rather than a fault with the glowplugs or ESP system. Before I send the car to an Audi specialist I thought I'd ask here to see if anyone has any suggestions of things I can check/do myself to resolve the problems?
(edited: corrected engine power)
I suspect that these warning lights may be the result of a bad connection rather than a fault with the glowplugs or ESP system. Before I send the car to an Audi specialist I thought I'd ask here to see if anyone has any suggestions of things I can check/do myself to resolve the problems?
(edited: corrected engine power)
Edited by DarkMatter on Saturday 27th April 08:13
Thanks Tame Technician.
I have checked the brake lights and they are working correctly.
My car is an automatic (7 speed multitronic).
I forgot to say in my original post that when the glowplug preheater warning started flashing I found that the cruise control would no longer work either.
The only other electrical gremlin that may be related is that for a couple of months or so the rear windscreen wiper (it's an A4 Avant with auto sensing wipers) has occasionally done one sweep on it's own when I haven't touched the switch and on other occasions when I've operated the wiper it gets stuck in mid sweep or does stop (it only stopped when I switched off the engine and re-started).
Looks like I'll need to visit my local Audi dealer/specialist.
I have checked the brake lights and they are working correctly.
My car is an automatic (7 speed multitronic).
I forgot to say in my original post that when the glowplug preheater warning started flashing I found that the cruise control would no longer work either.
The only other electrical gremlin that may be related is that for a couple of months or so the rear windscreen wiper (it's an A4 Avant with auto sensing wipers) has occasionally done one sweep on it's own when I haven't touched the switch and on other occasions when I've operated the wiper it gets stuck in mid sweep or does stop (it only stopped when I switched off the engine and re-started).
Looks like I'll need to visit my local Audi dealer/specialist.
Edited by DarkMatter on Saturday 27th April 08:34
Well, 3 replies and each pointing at the brake light switch - I can't argue with that, I guess I'll change the switch first then and see if that fixes it.
I can't quite understand why that would cause the glowplug pre-heater light to flash, but then these darned electronics work in mysterious ways.
Thank you.
I can't quite understand why that would cause the glowplug pre-heater light to flash, but then these darned electronics work in mysterious ways.
Thank you.
I've remembered the exact sequence of events....
1/ Started engine began my journey, all OK.
2/ After a few hundred yards I tried to switch on the cruise control, I saw the green cruise light flash on but it went off again and cruise did not engage.
3/ At about the same time the glowplug preheater light started flashing.
4/ I continued 5 miles to my destination, car drove OK.
5/ Started car for the return journey, glowplug preheater light still flashing, ESP light now illuminated, cruise still not working.
6/ Drove home and parked car.
7/ Asked on here for advice.
8/ Checked brake light operation, they appeared to be working OK.
9/ Next time I went out in the car with the glowplug preheater light still flashing, ESP light illuminated, cruise still not working, I was told the the brake lights were stuck on.
10/ Returned home, found that in addition to 9/ above I could move gear selector (it's a multitronic) without putting my foot on the brake.
11/ Bought a new brake light switch from Audi (£11).
12/ Fitted new brake light switch. Turned on ignition, glowplug preheater light still flashing, ESP light illuminated, cannot move hear selector even with my foot on the brake.
So that's where I am now - car is unusable with new brake light switch. Is there some special procedure I need to go through to get the car to react correctly to the new brake light switch? Or am I now going to have to go to an Audi specialist with a fault code reader?
Thanks.
1/ Started engine began my journey, all OK.
2/ After a few hundred yards I tried to switch on the cruise control, I saw the green cruise light flash on but it went off again and cruise did not engage.
3/ At about the same time the glowplug preheater light started flashing.
4/ I continued 5 miles to my destination, car drove OK.
5/ Started car for the return journey, glowplug preheater light still flashing, ESP light now illuminated, cruise still not working.
6/ Drove home and parked car.
7/ Asked on here for advice.
8/ Checked brake light operation, they appeared to be working OK.
9/ Next time I went out in the car with the glowplug preheater light still flashing, ESP light illuminated, cruise still not working, I was told the the brake lights were stuck on.
10/ Returned home, found that in addition to 9/ above I could move gear selector (it's a multitronic) without putting my foot on the brake.
11/ Bought a new brake light switch from Audi (£11).
12/ Fitted new brake light switch. Turned on ignition, glowplug preheater light still flashing, ESP light illuminated, cannot move hear selector even with my foot on the brake.
So that's where I am now - car is unusable with new brake light switch. Is there some special procedure I need to go through to get the car to react correctly to the new brake light switch? Or am I now going to have to go to an Audi specialist with a fault code reader?
Thanks.
cptsideways said:
The brake light switches must be fitted in the correct sequence, it is very easy to get them wrong & break them.
Can you give me more details on the correct sequence?I've read that with the old ones you have to extend the plunger on a ratchet but the new switch I have doesn't appear to have the ratchet on the plunger.
Thanks.
DarkMatter said:
cptsideways said:
The brake light switches must be fitted in the correct sequence, it is very easy to get them wrong & break them.
Can you give me more details on the correct sequence?I've read that with the old ones you have to extend the plunger on a ratchet but the new switch I have doesn't appear to have the ratchet on the plunger.
Thanks.
Problem solved by fitting a new brake pedal switch - you were all right!
So to summarise: the cruise control stopped working, the glowplug preheater warning was flashing, the ESP warning was on, the brake lights stayed on, the multitronic gearbox was not keen on dropping to lower gears under acceleration.
The car is an 8E B6/B7 model, 2007 TDi multitronic.
The original brake pedal switch had a ratchet type plunger, the newer switch PN 1K2 945 511 does not have a ratchet type plunger.
Both types of switch can be broken if not fitted correctly, you can press the plunger with no problems but you only get one chance to insert it in to the brake pedal mounting and rotate it through approx 45 degrees to it's locked position.
I found the following threads which were a great help...
http://forums.vwvortex.com/showthread.php?1158315-...
This pdf appears to be from a manufacturer of the switches...
http://www.google.co.uk/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=t...
So to summarise: the cruise control stopped working, the glowplug preheater warning was flashing, the ESP warning was on, the brake lights stayed on, the multitronic gearbox was not keen on dropping to lower gears under acceleration.
The car is an 8E B6/B7 model, 2007 TDi multitronic.
The original brake pedal switch had a ratchet type plunger, the newer switch PN 1K2 945 511 does not have a ratchet type plunger.
Both types of switch can be broken if not fitted correctly, you can press the plunger with no problems but you only get one chance to insert it in to the brake pedal mounting and rotate it through approx 45 degrees to it's locked position.
I found the following threads which were a great help...
http://forums.vwvortex.com/showthread.php?1158315-...
This pdf appears to be from a manufacturer of the switches...
http://www.google.co.uk/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=t...
My car brake lights are stuck on, glow plug light flashing.
However when I turn car off and try brake pedal the lights come on and go off as normal?
Someone suggested a 15a fuse near ecu but I can't find fuses in the engine bay?
2.0tdi cab 2007
No idea what to do - I need it for work!!
Help!
David
However when I turn car off and try brake pedal the lights come on and go off as normal?
Someone suggested a 15a fuse near ecu but I can't find fuses in the engine bay?
2.0tdi cab 2007
No idea what to do - I need it for work!!
Help!
David
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