Engine Management Light - Glow Plug Control Module

[BLACK FR TDI]

Since Christmas I have been having problems with my TDi. Every so often the engine management warning light comes on.

When I take it in to be reset and looked, service tell me its showing an error with the Glow Plug Control Module. Three times it has been in and still no closer to sloving the problem. Each time within a week the warning light is back on.

Has anyone else had the error, and if so what did you/the dealer do to solve it?

[chappy21]

Hi mate mine has done the same this week, EM light on, took it to SEAT an they said it needs new glow plugs, but wanted £115 plus VAT, I got some myself for less than £40. Gonna have ago at fitting them, seems really odd being that the glow plug light on the dash isn't on. Am just keeping mine running till after christmas when I get a very reliable EP3 CTR. Mine an 06 plate with 51k on the clock, its recently had new injectors, turbo and cat, only for it to go again, this car has been the most pain in the arse car I have owned. It's a pity really because it's really good.

[mike.doneghan]

I am now having this problem, can you tell me what you did to resolve this problem?

Thanks,


Mike

[chappy21]

Hi check your brake lights first, apparently these can trigger the em light. If that fails get new glow plugs, easy to do then you need the em light reset, cost me 15£ for that. Hope that helps

[mike.doneghan]

I checked the brake lights yesterday and they seem to be working fine (including the high level brake light).

I got a serial cable and VCDS-Lite yesterday though, I checked the fault code and got this:-

Control Module Part Number: 038 906 019 NJ
Component and/or Version: 1,9l R4 EDC
Software Coding: 00102
Work Shop Code: WSC 06402
VCID: 6CAB47B30F85
Additional Info: VSSZZZ6LZ7R138004 SEZ7Z0G3696085
1 Fault Found:
17068 - Glow Plug Control Module (J271): Implausible Signal
P0684 - 35-00 - -

Any ideas?


Thanks

[mike.doneghan]

Also, the fault seems to come back only after the car is started when the ambient temperature is low, i.e. early in the morning or late at night.

[MarkWales]

Just had the same happen to mine - going to look at a set of Glow plugs this week

Again only happens on a cold engine and When cleared using Torque for android does not return until engine has become very cold

P0684 - Glow Plug Control Module to PCM Communication Circuit Range/Performance


Above is the code Torque is clearing

[mike.doneghan]

Hi Mark,

If your car starts okay from cold then it won't be the glow plugs.

On my Ibiza the problem was not the glow plugs but the glow plug control module. It is situated next to the battery, and is a little black rectangular box. Replacing that made the fault code stop appearing when starting from cold. When I inspected the old unit it had a distinctly burnt smell. It cost around £70 from SEAT/VW. I would phone around dealerships to find a good price. I suppose you could get the part no from the unit.

[MarkWales]

Cheers will investigate this.

[towcester vag]

usually its the bridge loom that causes this fault
check the wiring harness in the plastic trunking going up behind battery if the connections are ok
replace the loom to the injectors

[MarkWales]

could anyone take pictures of what I am looking to check?

[PAULTDI67]

Originally Posted by MarkWales

could anyone take pictures of what I am looking to check?

Yea i'd like 2 know where it's at as haynes manual says it's part of ECU had em light on&had it scan'd fault code showed up gp fault replaced all 4 gp's had light reset came back on few days after ignored it 4 aprox a week till i could b bother'd 2 go 2 garage but it's turn'd itself off so i'll b paranoid now watchin it