Former VWDieselParts.com Forum

A friend's Jetta 1.9TD glow plug light turns off after five seconds, but the car needs to go through this routine three times for it to start. But it starts right off after the third glow of the glow plugs.

He checked the glow plugs and they are all good.

Car is a ninety-three with around 300k km.

Car uses half a liter of oil every 1000km.

Located in Quebec.

Any advice?

Thank you in advance.

Sounds like the temperature sender for the GP relay is not working right. That is what makes the relay stay on longer when cold.

Also verify the method of "checked glow plugs and they are all good". If they have voltage, that only means they are getting power, but not necessarily in good condition.

so I had a very simular problem with my 81 rabbit, the glow plug light would only stay on for a short period of time and not long enought to really do any thing. There are relays with longer "burn" times on them. it took me a few time before the parts house could get me the correct one. I hope this helps

There are two different relays a fast and a slow, and they must be used with the appropriate plug ie;fast or slow. Also when testing glow plugs I found that continuity doesnt mean they are working properly. I had some that glowed a little at the tip