T5 Transporter Glow Plug Light, and not starting?

**Mike_T5** · 15-06-2008,08:44 AM

Hi,

I have a problem with my '04 T5 174. Yesterday morning, I jumped in, started up and moved the van back 6ft, so that I could take the midbass speakers out of the doors to try some alternatives. 11 hours later, I had finished, ad went to start the van, and the glow plug light on the dash didn't work, and the van just cranked over without starting. If you turn the ignition on, and leave it on for more than 5 or 10 seconds, the engine cooling fans start spinning. It seems to me, that the van thinks the engine is hot, and doesn't need the glows, and yet, it's stone cold. Any ideas?

Many thanks,

Mike.

**kenney** · 15-06-2008,09:33 AM

Hi You need a fault code read,the fact that the fan starts is not unusal when there is a fault logged in the ECU.

**Mike_T5** · 15-06-2008,09:38 AM

Thanks for the reply Kenney,

Thing is, it's also got the multi function display/computer, and isn't saying there's any kind of fault. Is this normal?

One thing that has crossed my mind, is to locate the glow plug relay, and put power to the plugs by bridging it, just to get the things started so I can get it to the dealer, so they can fix it. Do you know where they usually hide the relays?

**kenney** · 15-06-2008,09:53 AM

The MFD has nothing to do with engine management,faults.Iam thinking since you have been working on the el system can you have done something to blow a fuse.The temp we have now,the engine should start without the glow plugs.I suggest you check all fuses.

**Mike_T5** · 15-06-2008,09:59 AM

Hi Kenney,

I did check for a glow fuse, but couldn't find one. But, as you suggest, I'll check all of them just in case there is a management one gone, or something else. I'm not sure I'd expect it to start without glow though. Just thought of something else though since you mention 'all fuses'... there is a pump underneath the van that runs up for just a second or so when you turn the ignition. I can't recall this working last night, or this morning. Maybe your on the right lines... thanks mate...

**kenney** · 15-06-2008,10:20 AM

In that case fuse 14 and 30.and your engine will start without glow plugs,with the temp there is now.

**Mike_T5** · 15-06-2008,10:59 AM

Hi Kenney,

Ok, I checked all the fuses, and all are fine, including the ones in the fuse box in the engine bay. As I suspected, the pump underneath the van (I suspect is an electric fuel supply pump) isn't working either.

I also tried to find some relays, and found a few up behind the dash, but none that I can identify as any kind of controller of sorts?

**kenney** · 15-06-2008,12:22 PM

The fuel pump is in the tank,this only works for a few seconds,when you first switch the ignition on.Even if the pump was not working,the engine would have started, with the fuel in the injectors and the tandem pump,only to stop after a short period.So i think you should be looking for a power supply failure to the ECU.you say all the fuses are ok,can you notice anythink else that is not working?.When you turn the ignition on and off,feel the terminal 30 voltage supply relay,in position 4 in the relay carrier electronics box and see if it is clicking.Sorry but i need to ask you a very stupid question,do you know were the fuse box is?

**Mike_T5** · 15-06-2008,12:57 PM

Hi Kenney,

Thanks for your time on this. There are two fuse boxes in the dash in the centre of the cab, and one in the engine bay, next to the battery. I've checked all of the fuses in all three. I don't know if there is another box hidden away somewhere though? As for relays... the ones I found, are up behind the dash on the drivers side. There seem to be two relays close to the bulkhead, and two hefty fuses there, as well as some kind of control unit, of ECU kind of size. I realise that the actual ECU is under the battery somewhere though. I can't find anything else not working, aside from the pump, and glow plug light.