Glow plug light flashing

Just picked up on the fact you have a factory fit towbar so have added the extra wiring diagms

As part of the troubleshooting have you checked each live and earth at the brake light sockets

Cheers Spike

Thanks Spike, I’ll print these and study them. All I have done is checked out the new brake switch and and the functionality of all other rear lights. Only the brakes are playing up. My next step was to check the multi pin tow bar socket.
 
Maybe looking silly in a little while :rolleyes:

Yesterday checked the tow socket and got some odd results 0V for tail lights, brake lights and battery feed. Very strange 6V for the fridge pin. Stripped the socket and back of car down as far as possible with cold plastics and gave up. Later found two new bulbs in the garage so fit them, I had previously visually checked the existing bulbs. LED strip stopped glowing, brake lights started working and glow plug light stopped flashing. Errors cleared and did not reoccur.

49453


I'm about to repeat the tow socket test and put it back together. If it checks out and the brake lights continue working the A2 is back in action. Will report later.
 
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No need to feel silly. Common mistake we have all made. I have done the same with fuses and now always use a meter. For the price I automatically change the bulbs and any fuses for new before I look deeper. I do think the switch was faulty though. May be worth throwing another £10 at the car and replace all the rear bulbs and clean all the contacts / check the earths with a meter. I do not have a tow bar but as the socket is exposed then it will eventually get contact corrosion,plastic ageing and can be damaged by reversing over say a high kerb. You may be better off replacing the socket for a new one and where the wiring comes into the boot fitting another connector there so you could then disconnect inside the car and remove the exterior socket when not in use for long periods same way the bar is removed.
 
Sometimes it is the simplest things, many years ago I stripped all the wiring on a vespa because it would simply not start on kickup. I worked my way back from the spark plug to the flywheel generator and everything was fine, turned out it was the spark plug........... Doh!!!!!!!!
 
This is what I happened, while leaving a roundabout traction control went crazy, I assumed I'd driven over a diesel spill. Shortly after glow plug light starts flashing. Drove car home.

Both brake lights not working, LED strip OK, no voltage at brake terminal on tow bar socket. Brake pedal at rest and first 6 LEDs left to right glow with ignition on.

Visually checked brake bulbs

Obtained following error codes:

49507


Replaced brake switch but over sized barbs prevented it being twisted into position. Filled barbs but left switch slightly loose, so glued with a spot of Araldite. While glue setting continued test with old switch. Cleared error codes that reoccurred instantly on starting engine.

Checked tow socket showing unusual and missing outputs, stripped socket to look for damaged wires. Found nothing.

Connected new switch and changed brake bulbs; both blown. LEDs stopped glowing, brake lights work and glow plug light didn't flash after engine restart. Brake output appears at tow socket. Clear error codes, no new codes showing after drive.

49508


Any ideas what that is all about, simply two blown bulbs? Or could that switch have been responsible for the implausible signal and glowing LEDs?
 
Yes and yes. Unfortunately there are a lot of poor quality copy part out there and the 2 worst are brake switches and temp sensors. You noticed it did not fit correctly so good chance the internals caused a short that blew the bulbs and gave the weird signal to the abs / traction control. Try again with a switch from the dealer.
 
Yes and yes. Unfortunately there are a lot of poor quality copy part out there and the 2 worst are brake switches and temp sensors. You noticed it did not fit correctly so good chance the internals caused a short that blew the bulbs and gave the weird signal to the abs / traction control. Try again with a switch from the dealer.
The switch is a Febi Bilstien identical to the VAG switch that failed. Having secured it with a spot of Arldite it’s staying where it is until next time it knocks out two bulbs, upsets the ABS and causes the LED brake light rail to glow. Definitely leaving well alone for now.
 
OK at least you know where to start if further problems. Unfortunately even the better brands are now suffering from fake copies even down to their packaging.Recently saw a Bosch part that looked genuine until you read the name a few times. It read BOCSH ?
 
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