Glow plug warning lights

MRS MARIA

MEMBER
2011 SEAT IBIZA
1.2L
TURBO
2WD
MANUAL
100,500 MILES

A few weeks ago the car was going on M1 and have been driven for over 75 miles. As it was slowing down to go into more urban road, the car jolted and the Glow Plug light on dashboard came on and started flashing. I carried on driving for another four miles to my destination, no problem. According to user manual if glow plug light flashing then need to stop driving. I called for toll car to come. But when I went back to the car to park in an available space, the glow plug light came off so I cancelled the toll car.
I drove over 80 miles back home that evening, no problem. March 5th. Three days later, driving on the M25 in a traffic jam, the car jolted again and accelerator loss speed. Battery light and the glow plug lights both came on. Stopped at the hard shoulder turned engine off and waited a bit. Turn on a few times and accelerator gained speed though slower than it normally is but managed to get back home.
Called the toll car to take to local Kwik Fit. They replaced three glow plugs and this light disappeared on dash board. Drove away for about two miles uphill no problem. Stopped at local shop. Restarted engine and battery light and glow plug lights came on again and would not start. After a few times engine started again but car wouldn’t go over 20 mph even though accelerator pressed to the full. The glow plug and battery lights went off. After another two miles, the car stopped. After restarting the car few times, seems like engine back on full power but glow plug lights came back on. Driving was okay to the shop and back home.

I have taken it back to Kwik Fit garage and they had the cap of some short from my turbo charger and they said there was oil on it but shouldn't have? The emission warning light has since come on as well on the dash board!

I don't feel safe driving the car in case it stops again. What should I do?

3 Replies

JOETECHPRO

MECHANIC
705 POSTS

Hey MRS MARIA,

The first step will be to scan for fault codes and see what has been logged.

When the warning lights come on the control units involved have detected an issue and will store a code in the memory for later diagnosis.

Did Kwik Fit not scan for codes before they replaced the glow plugs?
They should have done this.

It is not recommended to drive the vehicle with the warning lights on to avoid further damage.

If you know someone with a fault code reader or can borrow one and reply to us with the codes we can give you a bit more information on what might be happening.

If not I would advise getting the vehicle towed to a mechanic with knowledge of these vehicles. If you do not have any one you trust that has been recommended for diagnosis work I would go to a Seat main dealer. Main dealers although expensive will have the best knowledge and tools to deal with this issue.

Hope this helps, any further questions do not hesitate to ask.

Regards, Joe