VW T-Cross Glow Plug Warning: Troubleshooting Guide

Having worked on Volkswagens before, I had a very similar issue with my 2017 VW Golf TDI. The symptoms were exactly what you describe, constant glow plug light and check engine warning. After a cold start, the engine would run rough for the first few minutes. I took it to the workshop where they diagnosed a faulty glow plug in cylinder 2. The mechanic explained that this is relatively common in these diesel engines, especially after several years of use. The repair included replacing all four glow plugs as a preventive measure, which cost me 440€ including labor. The fix completely resolved the warning lights and improved cold start performance significantly. Leaving it unfixed could have led to more serious engine combustion problems over time. To better assist with your case, could you share: Current mileage on your T-Cross, Whether you notice any starting problems, especially during cold weather, If you have any specific error codes from the diagnostic system, How long the issue has been present This information would help determine if your situation matches what I experienced with my Golf.

Last service done at 75000km, so pretty recent. The workshop replaced all glow plugs and the rough idle completely disappeared. The cold start performance is now perfect and both warning lights are off. Total repair cost was 380€ including parts and labor. The mechanic mentioned checking the glow plug control module too, but it tested fine. Good call on replacing all plugs at once rather than just the faulty one, makes sense as a preventive fix. Diesel car running smoothly now with no engine combustion issues whatsoever. The error codes are now cleared from the system and everything works as it should. Better to fix these things early before they cause bigger problems.

Good to hear you got it sorted! My Golf had almost identical symptoms and fixing all glow plugs at once was definitely the right call. After 60000km I also noticed the same rough idle during cold start that you mentioned. The repair cost sounds about right, I paid slightly more at 440€ because they had to do some additional diagnostic work on the glow plug control module. Like in your case, my module was fine too, it was just the plugs themselves causing the check engine light and starting issues. Since the fix, my engine combustion has been perfect for over a year now, especially during cold weather starts. The workshop told me the new glow plugs should last another 70000-80000km with proper maintenance. Quick tip: now that everything is working properly, keep an eye on your cold start performance during the winter months. Any changes in startup behavior can be an early warning sign if one of the new plugs starts failing.

Thanks everyone for the helpful replies. Yes, fixing all glow plugs at once was definitely worth it for better fuel efficiency and reliability. No more diesel engine issues since the repair, even during the recent cold snap. My workshop mentioned these glow plugs typically need replacement around 70000-80000km, so the timing was right. The engine combustion is now perfect, starts immediately without any rough idle or check engine warnings. Having proper cold start performance really makes a difference in daily driving. For anyone else facing similar symptoms: getting it fixed promptly cost me 380€ but prevented potential bigger issues. The glow plug control module check was a smart precaution too, even though it turned out fine in my case. Really glad I addressed this before winter when starting problems would have been more noticeable.