Glow plug light

[mickdobson1]

Hi. 2006 2.0tdi Avant Sline BRE engine.
Had the car for a couple of years now and only just noticed. When its cold the glow plug light comes on for a couple of seconds then goes out, which as far as i know is right. But it will also come on at any engine temperature for a couple of seconds when i go to start the car. I thought it only comes on when its under 9 degrees. No fault codes on vcds and the coolant temperature in vcds relates to the temp gauge in the car. Anybody know if its meant to do this or have i got a prob? tia

[swalker]

the glow plug light has developed a bit since its introduction.
I remember my dads mkII or was it I transit, we would jump in he would hold a button until an actual coil glowed on the dash.
now days as you say the glow plugs may only activate below 9 degrees but the glow plug light means more than just glow plugs are active. not just the money light will come on with a fault, the glow plug light can flash also.

As for the few seconds on in the morning, I assume you mean after the dash light test (all other lights go out) this as far as i am aware is a fuel pressure check, the mk I transit would have been lucky to have injectors, but diesels now have direct injection which requires silly pressure to get the fuel in there and the glow plug light will also indicate low pressure and that's the check it is doing.

I am open to corrections if i have picked that up wrong along the way.

[Crasher]

Start with a code read, we have a CQ here with the optional 7x15's and all are bent...

[mickdobson1]

Hi.Thanks for the reply, Think i should have described the problem better. Anytime i turn the ignition on on either a hot or cold engine the glow plug light wil come on for 1 or 2 seconds along with the other dash bulbs. No flashing light or limp mode while i'm driving it and at the moment no apparent faults. Done a full scan with vcds with no fault codes. You say it normally relates to fuel pressure, but as far as i'm aware there are no fuel pressure sensors on a PD engine for it to put the light on. CR engine yes. Injector readings are within spec. Do you think i should delve deeper or just play it by ear.

[mickdobson1]

Yep. Done a full scan, apart from my cd player nothing shows up. Thanks

[swalker]

ok so i didnt know the bre was a pd - if it was on due to a fault it would be on, or flashing. I find when it is cold out it is on for closer to 5 seconds or so.
if it is on with other lights then its just the bulb test itself - the money light i believe stays on a bit longer so you know it hasn't been doctored.
i will see what mine does in a couple of hours when i am out

[mickdobson1]

Thanks

[swalker]

sorry this went totally out of my head. this morning the glow plugs kicked in and it is a good 4 to 5 seconds delay on the light goign out from the ignition switch is turned on. Hopefully i will remember to take a look next time it is warm and note the timings with reference to the other lights.