flashing glow plug light

[brad1]

Hi all
i know this has been covered, but i couldnt find a definate answer to my problem and me giving info of the exact problem might help me get a straight forward answer

well tonight, was driving back from a mates and car was all warmed up etc, not cold or anything so just joined a link road and put my foot down in third and the car stuttered for a second like it tried to cut out, then after this, straight away my car felt so sluggish, but turbo was still boosting to the normal psi, but hasnt got any real kick. So pulled over in layby and checked under the bonnet to check for any blown boost hoses, nothing
So let idle for few mins, but the car was very lumpy on idle, never ever like this, so thought thats strange
So cotinued on my journed and as a pulled away in 1st, it spluttered again, and changed into second and spluttered again, like trying to cut out for a split second, then the glow plug light came on and has been flashing the whole time since, and when driving for example every 20 senconds or 30 etc it splutters for a split second, got car home and let her cool down, and turned off, so thought ill try starting her up, so turned the ignition, let the glow plug light dissappear and fired her up. A little cloud of black smoke came out, never does this, so thought thats strange.
so i was wondering if you can help me

what do you think it could be?

glow plugs need replacing?
maf sensor?
brake and clutch switch?

any help appreciated guys

 

[mds1256]

first thing is to get it code read via vag com or another code reader, this will show an error code.

I had the same problem and turned out to me the Charge Preassure sensor but performance was ok, but if i drove it long enough with the light flashing it would go in to limp mode.

so first thing is first and get it code read

 

[brad1]

Well I cleared codes without Reading them and taking note, silly me, and drove the car for ten mins, and it was still doing it, but the glow plug light didn't flash at all, not got a clue, I'll wait till the light comes back up and read it with vag com again

could it be the maf sensor be causing this, if i unplug maf sensor and drive it, should it run better if the maf is fu***d?

 

[Muttley]

Fuel system fault? When was your fuel filter last changed?

 

[brad1]

not sure, tbh it looks like on the service book its never been changed, would a crappy fuel filter do this tho?

 

[brad1]

well, i went outside to have a nose around the engine bay, and i notcied that the needle lift sensor on injector number 3, one wire was loose and basically hanging off, so no complete circuit so i thought mmm, connected it up properly, and cleared the codes with vagcom, and the idle was so much better, took it for a good 15 min drive to halfords and while i was there bought a new oil temp gauge , and drove it back and now its running totally fine, so it was the needle lift sensor opened to short ground was causing the light
im now one happy bunny

 

[Muttley]

"Opened to short ground"? Sounds like Indiana Jones.

Your needle lift sensor was open-circuit. It wasn't short-circuited to ground.

 

[brad1]

"Opened to short ground"? Sounds like Indiana Jones.

Your needle lift sensor was open-circuit. It wasn't short-circuited to ground.

one of the two lol, but problem has now been sorted