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Golf 1.9 SDI Mk 4 2003 - Glow Plugs - Yellow Warning Light Flashing - Brian Worthington

The yellow coil light starts flashing shortly after starting the engine, so I guess the plugs need some attention. Thing is it's a cheap car (and I'm a cheapskate!), so I was wondering if I could get away with just living with it?

Golf 1.9 SDI Mk 4 2003 - Glow Plugs - Yellow Warning Light Flashing - elekie&a/c doctor
Yellow coil light is an engine malfunction indicator . It may not be the glow plugs at fault. Needs a diagnostic check
Golf 1.9 SDI Mk 4 2003 - Glow Plugs - Yellow Warning Light Flashing - Brian Worthington

Thanks for that, I'll call in the garage first thing on Monday. I do have a 15 mile journey I have to do tomorrow. It seems to drive fine with no loss of power. Any thoughts (e.g. whether to drive it, how to drive it)?

Edited by Brian Worthington on 01/07/2023 at 22:41

Golf 1.9 SDI Mk 4 2003 - Glow Plugs - Yellow Warning Light Flashing - elekie&a/c doctor
If it’s driving ok , then just monitor it and go carefully. Could be a brake light switch fault. Very common on this model . It’s a dual function switch. Check to see if the brake lights work .
Golf 1.9 SDI Mk 4 2003 - Glow Plugs - Yellow Warning Light Flashing - Brian Worthington

Will do, thanks!

Golf 1.9 SDI Mk 4 2003 - Glow Plugs - Yellow Warning Light Flashing - Brian Worthington

Morning, a bit more advice following on from yesterday if possible - the brake light top centre of rear windscreen works but not the two on the rear wings - does that mean it must be something other than the brake light switch, or can the switch fail that way?

Edited by Brian Worthington on 02/07/2023 at 11:31

Golf 1.9 SDI Mk 4 2003 - Glow Plugs - Yellow Warning Light Flashing - elekie&a/c doctor
Looks like 2 bulbs failed.
Golf 1.9 SDI Mk 4 2003 - Glow Plugs - Yellow Warning Light Flashing - Brian Worthington

Would both brake light bulbs have blown at the same time though? Could it be a fuse or something?

Edited by Brian Worthington on 02/07/2023 at 22:22

Golf 1.9 SDI Mk 4 2003 - Glow Plugs - Yellow Warning Light Flashing - Brian Worthington

Came across the text below online (vwpartsvortex.com). Looks like I can rule out the switch (3rd light works), and the indicators are fine so it's a fuse or two bulbs. Wouldn't expect both bulbs to blow at the same time, so would the flashing only start when the second bulb blows maybe? Meanwhile left it with the garage to scan the code........

Brake Lights Out, Third Light Works

You can rule out the brake light switch if your third light is working but the brake lights are not. Check the emergency lights to test the wiring, lights and sockets. If the flashers work, then test for a blown fuse.

If your Volkswagen uses the same lights for the turn signals and the brake lights, you may have a bad turn signal switch that is causing the lower brake lights to stop working. A bad turn signal switch will not affect the third light.

With this type of system, the turn signals use the same circuit as the brakes, which means that you cannot have both of them on at the same time. If the turn signal switch is bad, it can interrupt the brake light circuit. It can also be a broken wire on the switch that is causing the lights to stop working.

Golf 1.9 SDI Mk 4 2003 - Glow Plugs - Yellow Warning Light Flashing - elekie&a/c doctor
Think this text references US models where the light systems are different. Get both the brake lights working and test from there. It could still be a brake light switch fault , but not the light part of the circuit. As I said , it’s a dual function switch.
Golf 1.9 SDI Mk 4 2003 - Glow Plugs - Yellow Warning Light Flashing - bathtub tom

Wouldn't expect both bulbs to blow at the same time,

How long have they not been working? Would you have noticed if one failed and the other hadn't? I suspect most folk only ever have their brake lights checked at MOT time.

Golf 1.9 SDI Mk 4 2003 - Glow Plugs - Yellow Warning Light Flashing - Brian Worthington

Yes, I wouldn't know when a rear light goes unless another driver tells me, and I assume the warning light doesn't come on until two lights are out - is that right?

Golf 1.9 SDI Mk 4 2003 - Glow Plugs - Yellow Warning Light Flashing - Brian Worthington

It was two blown brake light bulbs

Golf 1.9 SDI Mk 4 2003 - Glow Plugs - Yellow Warning Light Flashing - blindspot

but did they blow out at the same time. just replace the bulbs and take it from there

i had an sdi polo which had a funny momment with brake light switch after bleeding brakes