Ford Escort (1993 - 2000) - 1998 1.8TD Glow plug warning light

Honest John Back Room » Technical matters
What is life like with your car? Let us know and win £500 in John Lewis vouchers | No thanks
View Threaded
Tue 22 Jan 2008 16:31
1998 1.8TD Glow plug warning light - Flicker
for nearly 10 months the orange glow plug warning light on the dashboard has been intermittently flickering on and off whilst driving. sometimes it lights up and stays on for a while and other times it justs illuminates for a few seconds.
on 2 occasions it has attempted to light up, though very weakly when attemptng to start the car but at the first attempt the engine won't turn over, but turning the ignition off and on again enabled the engine to start.
new glow plugs were fitted a year ago and a new battery was installed november 2007, after replacing the battery the fault stopped for aroud 2 weeks then re-appeared.
any help greatly appreciated.
also, passenger electric window will not work, any suggestions?
Reply | Report as offensive | Link
Tue 22 Jan 2008 17:13
1998 1.8TD Glow plug warning light - piston power
You could try checking the electrical connections on the timer & relays unplug them and clean them, a little grease in the female terminal's won't hurt.

Im sure some better sparkys will be a long to help you more.

The window any power to motor? or switch? good luck..
Reply | Report as offensive | Link
Tue 22 Jan 2008 21:34
1998 1.8TD Glow plug warning light - Screwloose
Flicker

The glow light is set by a signal from the engine ECU to the display controller. This could be a bad connexion or earth to the engine ECU [these will run without it] or even a display fault.

Check the ECU in the passengers kick panel isn't wet.
Reply | Report as offensive | Link
Wed 23 Jan 2008 12:42
1998 1.8TD Glow plug warning light - Flicker
Thanks guys, i'll check connections and ecu/earths on the weekend.
Reply | Report as offensive | Link

From which small car to buy at which price point to the best UK-built cars, our Top 10s have the lot. Click now for your shortlist.

Unsure of what to buy? Our Top 10s are here to help you....