Audi A4 Avant 2009 2.0 B8 TDI glow plug light

[ADMC94]

I recently privately purchased my Audi and from the get go there were red flags. Posting on here to see if anyone has had the same issue as me.

I bought the car and on the sellers driveway the car wouldn't start, turned out to be a flat battery as it's been stood 6 months. I've bought a new battery and the car starts up fine. I've noticed when I drive the car isn't reaching 90 degrees which it should usually stand at, but when I turn my heater fans on the temp drops back between 50 and 60. It's only when I sit the car and idle it that it reaches 90, but then the glow plug light comes on flashing and feels like a loss of power. 

I've replaced air filter and 3 out of 4 glow plugs as one appears to be stuck and don't want to risk snapping it, but this shouldn't effect the loss of power right? I've checked my brakes all working fine. I've tried a code reader but no codes appear which is weird. 

 

If anyone knows or has an idea of what it could be, would be nice to see some input from Audi owners. 

Thank you 😊

[Magnet]

Welcome Aran,

Not reaching temperature is usually a classic symptom of a failed/failing thermostat, so I would be renewing that first. 
Kind regards,

Gareth. 

[ADMC94]

@jasonj it's done roughly 118k and has had a full service history from previous owner. 

The glow plug light comes on when it reaches 90 degrees then stays on and the car loses power almost like its in limp mode.

I haven't checked the coils just yet. I called Audi to get a price on a diagnostics as my neighbours doesn't seem to show any fault codes at all. Turns out I've got 2 recalls, one for diesel gasses and another for diesel emissions so I'm hoping that will help to fix the issue.

Once I have the fault codes I'll keep you all updated for anyone that experiences the same issue. 

Only bought the car around the 16th Feb so it's put a downer on it.

[Magnet]

Bought from a dealer, or privately Aran? Emissions recall?? Beware of entertaining that. 
Kind regards,

Gareth. 

[ADMC94]

@Magnet Bought it privately unfortunately. As the recall is getting done by Audi directly I can't complain, any faults after can go straight back to them 🤣

@jasonj Thank you for confirming the temp issue for me, kind of puts my mind at rest with that. That is the right car you've listed. It's just finding the issue with the glow plug light. I've read everywhere that the glow plug light can indicate a fault with the glow plugs or many other different issues such as Turbo actuator, MAF sensor, Crankshaft sensor and the 1000 other sensors under the bonnet 🤣 

Hopefully I'll get it sorted though. 

[ADMC94]

Hi guys,

Just had a friend of mine that is a mechanic for Vauxhall take a look on his code reader and it appears to be the EGR, whether it's the EGR and cooler I'm not sure but hopefully I'll get this fixed and the issue is resolved. 

The stuck glow plug will be removed eventually but we dont have any specialist local to me, nearest is Cardiff which is a 3 hour drive.