VW Caddy Glow Plug Warning: DIY Repair Guide Needed

I had this exact issue on my 2010 VW Passat diesel. The glow plug warning light stayed on constantly, and the engine light followed soon after. Initially, the cold start became increasingly difficult, especially during colder days. Diagnosis revealed two failed glow plugs and a damaged glow plug control module. This combination is quite common in diesel engines of this age. The repair was relatively straightforward but required specific diagnostic equipment to identify which glow plugs had failed. The issue is serious enough to address promptly, failed glow plugs can lead to poor fuel efficiency and potential engine damage if ignored. In my case, rough running during cold starts was causing excess wear on other engine components. The repair involved replacing all four glow plugs as a set (recommended practice) and the control module. After the fix, cold start performance improved significantly, and both warning lights cleared. The engine now runs smoother, especially during the first few minutes of operation. Suggest getting it checked soon, as continuing to run with faulty glow plugs can cause additional problems with fuel delivery and combustion in your diesel engine.

Thanks for sharing your experience, really helpful. I recently had almost identical glow plug issues with my Caddy that caused rough idle and hard starts. Got it fixed about 3 months ago. Just curious, do you remember roughly what you paid for the full repair? And has everything been running smoothly since then? My engine misfire problems completely disappeared after the fix, but always good to hear about longer-term results.

Had the repair done last year and paid 440€ total, including parts and labor. The mechanics replaced all glow plugs as a complete set, which was definitely worth doing. Since the fix, my diesel car performs flawlessly, no more rough idle or cold start issues, and the engine light has stayed off. The engine combustion is much smoother now, especially during those first few minutes after starting. Really noticed the difference in overall engine performance too. If your repair was similar to mine, you should continue seeing good results. The complete glow plug replacement tends to be a long-lasting solution when done properly. Glad to hear your misfire problems cleared up after the fix. These issues are pretty common on VWs of our age, but once properly addressed, they typically stay resolved.

Thanks for the input. Finally got it sorted at my local specialist garage last week. The full repair came to 395€ including new glow plugs, control module and labor. Much better than I expected after my previous repair nightmares. The mechanic showed me the old glow plugs, they were completely shot. No wonder my diesel car was struggling with cold starts. They replaced all plugs as a set and did a full system check. The engine light cleared straight away and the engine misfire problems are completely gone. First week of driving has been great, starts instantly even on cold mornings and runs super smooth. Huge difference from before when it would shake and struggle to start. Really glad I got it fixed before winter hits. Much more confident in my Caddy now. The garage did a proper job diagnosing and fixing everything, not just a quick patch-up like my previous experiences. Money well spent to get it running right again.