[jeeperhdbmw]

Fellow TDI enthusiasts,

I have a 2002 Jetta TDI with roughly 165K miles on it. Recently, the MIL came on indicating a faulty #4 glow-plug. I decided to replace all glow-plugs at once with these: http://www.dieselvw.com/LateGlowPlugs.htm. This solved my problem for about 3K miles and then the light came on again. I checked the #4 glow-plug and yeap, it was bad. I replaced it once more and this time the MIL stayed off for about 1K miles; again, #4 showed bad. However, this time when I tested it with a light hooked to the positive battery terminal, the #4 showed good. Any suggestions? Could I have a bad glow-plug harness or relay? Is there some unseen issue with the #4 cylinder that is causing this? Would OEM glow-plugs make all the difference; if so, why is the problem only with #4? Any and all assistance you can provide to this "driving me crazy" issue is greatly appreciated.

JHB

 

[jeeperhdbmw]

Gentlemen,

Sorry it took a while to respond, I'm in the military and have been away from the computer for a while. Thanks for the advice and tips. I'll throw out the cheap plugs and replace the harness to see if that solves the problem. With a 165K relatively trouble free miles, the Jetta could use a few new parts. Thanks again and take care.

JHB

 

[jeeperhdbmw]

Gentlemen,

I've got the new BOSCH glowplugs and a new harness. Before I start digging around to replace the harness, it there a good site that explains this process? I love this forum for all the tips and the step-by-step instructions, but I didn't find anything outlining the best procedure for replacing the harness. Thanks again for all the imputs.

JHB

 

[jeeperhdbmw]

Replaced the plugs and harness yesterday. Started to replace the whole harness, but after seeing the spiderweb-like routing of the harness and that gunky tape that was wrapped around it, I decided to do the splice. Seems to be working just fine.

 

[jeeperhdbmw]

Just completed 5,000 miles after harness change and have had no problems. I got the harness from metalmanparts.com for $55 and can't be happier to have that MIL out! Next on the to-do list is intake cleaning. Take care.

JHB

 

[jeeperhdbmw]

We sure do. It's our runabout car and my wife just went to CA and back from Abilene TX.
I love the TDIs so much that I'm really tempted to sell/trade in my 04' BMW 530i for a new Jetta TDI. In fact, I'd like to consolidate by getting rid of the Jeep, Harley, and BMW and just become a VW TDI family. But my wife won't let me. How's that for 180 degrees out from the norm?