CEL, Glow, and no cruise

[bnmorgan]

This has happened twice now:
Night time, headlights on, CEL comes on ~1 min after crank and go, Glow warning comes on flashing ~5 min after crank and go, and cruse doesn't work. I don't know if the cruise worked at crank, because i was in town and didn't need it. Did notice it when i hit the edge of town and would usually kick it on.

Suggestions?? I'll get the code scanned as soon as i get a chance, but in the meantime it'd be nice to know.

[Smileybug]

Getting the code will really tell you. We can guess all day long but the code is key.

[bnmorgan]

That's what i was figuring. Was hoping the "no cruise" might tip off something. that's just weird to me. I'll post once i have the codes.

[MichelleRoze]

usually the "no cruise" is related to the brake light sensor recall thing. The could also cause the CEL and Glow warning. Stupid I know. but I read somewhere that on TDI's, the glow plug light pops on if the brake lights aren't working. So if your sensor is bad...that would be your issue. Just a guess.

Found this answer on WikiAnswers

Hi all,

l have golf mk4 but most cars vw use the same parts.

glow plug or "spring" light on my board started to flash, found on line two reasons ...
Before, check your book but not much over there for that problem so as l said there is two reasons that l know.
1. electric problem with back breaking lights, both bulbs were blown so check the all the bulbs or..

2. break pedal switch has stuck or gone, so found any car parts shop and ask for one.

Very easy to replace, take off the panel above the pedals , there is three screws to undue and simply you have access to break pedal switch. Replace it with new one.

Soon as l have done that glow plug light stopped to flash, there was no further issues.

have someone with you cos in the day light make sure break lights are working properly.
Or simply use the mirror, that's what I've done.

You will find on line many answers and pictures of how to do that but on some there is just too many things to take off, SO IT IS ACTUALLY VERY SIMPLE !!!

Hope this helps.

[bnmorgan]

o.0 ok, my brake lights work fine.....BUT! i replaced them with 1157 LED bulbs. that could be my problem? i know my old bimmer hated them, but it also hated most "parts house" bulbs because the resistance varied too much. I'd laugh at that as fable except that when i put in "spec" bulbs, don't remember the brand, i have had no trouble since, except that it blows a bulb at least once every 5k miles.

I got the car cheap because the PO thought it was having glow system problems, and he had a brake light out the whole time. That could have been the issue all along.

Would it code out as brake problems?? Also, about this recall thing, how do i know if it's already been addressed, and is it something i can still have fixed?

BTW, i feel honored that the 2 people with the answers so far are ladies. Good to see my wife isn't the only mechanistically inclined woman I know (she rebuilds GM transmissions for her father's trans shop)

[Smileybug]

I've been elbows deep in our Mk1 Jetta TD...and plan on being involved in every part of the engine rebuild we have planned for it I love being a car savvy woman! Sorry I can't be more help with the issue at hand though. I don't have cruise and I roll with the early diesels for now, none of this fancy electronics stuff for my diesel

[MichelleRoze]

Originally Posted by bnmorgan

o.0 ok, my brake lights work fine.....BUT! i replaced them with 1157 LED bulbs. that could be my problem? i know my old bimmer hated them, but it also hated most "parts house" bulbs because the resistance varied too much. I'd laugh at that as fable except that when i put in "spec" bulbs, don't remember the brand, i have had no trouble since, except that it blows a bulb at least once every 5k miles.

I got the car cheap because the PO thought it was having glow system problems, and he had a brake light out the whole time. That could have been the issue all along.

Would it code out as brake problems?? Also, about this recall thing, how do i know if it's already been addressed, and is it something i can still have fixed?

BTW, i feel honored that the 2 people with the answers so far are ladies. Good to see my wife isn't the only mechanistically inclined woman I know (she rebuilds GM transmissions for her father's trans shop)

YES LED's could totally do it!! I have LED's for blinkers and you have to have load resistors in order to keep them from "hyper blinking". Since the brake lights don't "hyper blink" they just show as being "out". The system doesn't know the difference but since the resistance is sooo much less with LED it assumes the bulbs are out.

The brake sensor could still be fixed (as far as I know). You can call your local dealer and give them your VIN to see if it's been done.

Swap the LED bulbs back to normal and see if the issue stops. If it does, there's your problem. If not, then maybe you need to have the brake sensor thing fixed.

Hope that helps.

I plan on taking mechanic course soon, and diesel certified...I WILL be!

[bnmorgan]

Alright. I'll check with the "local dealer" which is 120 miles. What resistance is enough to please the gremlins into accepting the LED lights?
I'm ok with hyperblink once i get them all the way around.

Also got my scangage in so i didn't have to hit the shop for the code, it's P0380 and i'm fixin to go look it up.

Thanks for all the help!!

[Smileybug]

16764/P0380/000869 - Glow Plug/Heater (Q6) Circuit: Malfunction
Possible Symptoms

* No Pre-Glow Period
* Poor Cold Starting

Possible Causes

* Glow Plug Wiring faulty
* Glow Plug faulty

Possible Solutions

* Check Glow Plug Wiring
* Check Glow Plug

[MichelleRoze]

not sure what resistance would make them happy, but I got load resistors from superbrightleds.com. They are about $14 a piece...which is pricey when you need one for every light that "blinks" But if you're ok with the hyper blink on the blinkers then that's fine. You'll just need 2 then for the brake lights. Hope that helps.