Technical Yellow Coil light

[meaton]

Hey guys..

took my speedometer unit apart today was fixing bulbs etc and noticed that somebody had put tissue in the part where this yellow coil light was so that you couldn't see it lit! I'm gutted if this means a big problem..

When i start the engine it comes on flashing for a few seconds then goes out.. is this normal? If not where should i start? I'm not very technical when it comes to the mechanics of the car but i would try most things myself any ideas?


Thanks,

Michael

 

[dwbr22387]

hi meaton
this is only used on 'diesil' engines
so..............if you have a diesil engine it is the warning light to say your 'heater' plugs are on --in the engine-- this makes diesil engines 'easier to start'........especialy in winter............ if it 'stays on' its not a prob as the heater is running off the engine 'when running' and should not affect your battery much, so its not a 'rush to the garage' job .but needs sorting at some time
it should come on for 'a few secs' the same as the other ignition lights and you 'startup' 'when it goes out'.
regards
don

 

[punto 123]

will need some glow plugs

 

[BikeDoc]

It shouldn't flash while it's on, it should just come on constantly for 2 or 3 seconds, then go out.
It doesn't mention flashing in the Handbook but I'd guess that means a fault in the system somewhere.
It should still start OK without the glow-plugs, it will just take a few more revolutions to get going.
You might have a problem starting in sub-zero temperatures if they're not working.

 

[JTDman]

2-3 secs constant then off, if its flashing for 30 secs the its one of the plugs but constant flashing could be more of a problem i seem to remember someone on here mentioning it a while ago.

 

[meaton]

Thanks guys.. The light comes on with the rest then goes out, then flashes a few times then goes off again..

If it is the glow plugs.. how much are they and is it something i could fix myself?

I was just weary about why the light was hidden which made me think that the guy i bought it off didn't want me to see it!


Thanks,

Michael

 

[Zundapp]

It indicates faulty heater plug(s) or a bad connection in the heater plug circuit.

Just ignore the light. Your car will start ok no matter what the temperature is. Mine has for the past two years - although the light still flashes!

 

[JTDman]

Its not that much of an issue really, it just depends on how many and which one poss 2 are dead.
The light has prob just annoyed the last owner so he covered it.
The 2 plugs at the cambelt end are ok to do but the other end look a pig.
I was lucky and the 2 by the belts went on mine, just get a meter put one leg to earth and the other the the top of each plug (take the leads off the pugs though) it should be obvious which one is dead.

 

[BikeDoc]

They're simple enough to replace, and should be around £8-10 each from a spares supplier (CAFCO, GSF, or online) e.g. http://www.sparkplugs.co.uk/pages/pricing/ccp/glow-plugs/ngk_diesel_ccp.asp

[FONT=Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]Part Number ........Price (£) Per Plug [/FONT]​

[FONT=Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]Y-534J ...... 7.59+vat[/FONT]​

Might be worth checking the connections first before you shell out for a set, only to find it was a loose/dirty connection on one.

 

[meaton]

Ok as mad as it sounds, does anyone have a picture of where the two by the cam belt are? I know what they look like just not sure where they are!

Thanks for all your replies guys,

Michael

 

[kev78]

glow plugs are located directly behind the injectors lower down on the back of the engine. they are tight to get at and look like an absolute ####### to do.

i have had mine since june and it has always done it without having starting problems. read on one of the posts that it means you have 1 or more glow plugs on the blink just as others have said.

will get mine done before winter really sets in but no rush if its starting well

 

[Peat]

I have had the 'heater plug dead' warning light flashing for just on four years now and the only time the car didn't start was earlier this year when the battery went low after a whole bunch of very low mileage runs (under three miles each time stopping and starting) it started on a jump but got a new battery to be on the safe side. 6.5 years ain't bad!

 

[meaton]

Guess I won't worry about it too much then.. while i have some attention i wanted to ask.. I've got the airbag failure light on has been since i bought it..

I've read a few of the threads on it and one of the ideas i read was that some cables under a seat could be the reason for the warning light but which seat? I've had a little look but don't see any cables!


thanks,

michael

 

[dwbr22387]

hi,
the cables........................if any............... would be under the seat in front of the airbag.
which airbag is it?
the passenger one can be turned off[in the later multipla] the switch is in the driver pocket on top of the dash, ours uses the ignintion key to do this.
regards
don

 

[meaton]

Its the seat with a red dot above it light.. if that makes sense apparently its the Airbag Failure light but i dont have any more info on which airbag it is!

 

[Zundapp]

Usually it's the connector block under the n/s front seat. It's on the floor underneath the front left of the seat.

Clean it with electrical contact cleaner from Maplins, that usually works for a bit. If you wish you can do something a bit more radical - which some disapprove of. I don't!

Check older posts.

 

[meaton]

You talking about cutting the wires and connecting them without the loom/connector? Might give that a go if contact cleaner works.


Thanks!

Michael

 

[Zundapp]

You talking about cutting the wires and connecting them without the loom/connector? Might give that a go if contact cleaner works.


Thanks!

Michael

 

[ukmarc]

2 or more glowplugs are faulty.
its a standard fault message on modern diesels
Marc