Took my fiat 1.3 multijet diesel into Stoneacre Peterborough as the Glow Plug Warning Light was flashing and the words check glows plugs was coming up. They told me it need x4 glowplugs (£19.95) and a new control unit (£79.99) plus labour. They are waiting to see if Fiat will cover it as part of the third year dealer warranty as it's just over two years old. I must say I am surprised that all 4 glow plugs need replacing and it needs a new control unit. It only has 20k on the clock and I am always careful not to turn the engine till the glow plug sign goes out. I know what the glow plugs do but have no idea what the control unit does or why it would need replacing. Any help would be really appreciated.

Modern automotive diesel engines use various electronic methods of altering the timing process to ensure reliable cold-starting. Glow plugs are still fitted, but are rarely used for more than a few seconds.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Glowplug#Modern_advancements

krossi said:

Took my fiat 1.3 multijet diesel into Stoneacre Peterborough as the Glow Plug Warning Light was flashing and the words check glows plugs was coming up. They told me it need x4 glowplugs (£19.95) and a new control unit (£79.99) plus labour. They are waiting to see if Fiat will cover it as part of the third year dealer warranty as it's just over two years old. I must say I am surprised that all 4 glow plugs need replacing and it needs a new control unit. It only has 20k on the clock and I am always careful not to turn the engine till the glow plug sign goes out. I know what the glow plugs do but have no idea what the control unit does or why it would need replacing. Any help would be really appreciated.

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Sounds like a classic "can't be bothered to spend 30mins diagnosing the fault correctly, so we'll just condemn everything and get warranty to pay". I'd like to hear what they say to the third year warranty department to get it all covered.

Usually it'll only be a single glowplug or an internal failure in the little control unit which means it can't carry out the pre and post heating cycle correctly.

D4nny8oy said:

Sounds like a classic "can't be bothered to spend 30mins diagnosing the fault correctly, so we'll just condemn everything and get warranty to pay". I'd like to hear what they say to the third year warranty department to get it all covered.

Usually it'll only be a single glowplug or an internal failure in the little control unit which means it can't carry out the pre and post heating cycle correctly.

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Thanks for that. I questioned why all four needed replacing and was told that it's normal to replace all four. Also asked why they had gone so quickly (20k on the clock) and was told that they could go at any time and it wasn't unusual. Must say the lad who drove it into their workshop and brought it back only looked about 18, and as though he wanted to be elsewhere - so if he did it I can't imagine that he put much effort into correctly diagnosing the fault.

funny how nothing is unusual and parts go at anytime !

Good news. Stoneacre, Peterborough called this morning to say that the parts are covered by the third year dealers warranty.

krossi said:

Good news. Stoneacre, Peterborough called this morning to say that the parts are covered by the third year dealers warranty.

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I should bloody think so ! Glad u dont have to pay.

Did this fix it?

Yes, resolved thanks.

Don't like that dealer at all...had several issues with them and I'll never go back. Its worth travelling a little further afield to get better service