02 Mondeo flashing glow plug light

[peter_pedro]

Hi,

 

I really could do with some advice please. I bought an 02 Mondeo TD Zetec with about 180k it is alot of miles but the guy was a local cab and car had regular service.

 

A few weeks later, the glow plug light started to flash all the time, from starting and also remaining flashing ALL the time. The car still starts and drives OK despite that, however the turbo seems a little weeker but went up to 90 with no worries did not want to push my luck to much.

 

I believe it is about £100 just for diagnosis by ford, as I am abit broke until next week not sure what to do, do you guys reckon it is ok to drive it with this light for a week or so, or should I get it checked asap plus any ideias what it could be?

 

Thanks.

[Conniff]

The problem could be one of a few as the light is used as an indicator for a multiple faults. The most usual is the injectors need programming, if you get the code number and post it here, we can tell you what that number means.

 

Yes it should be safe enough to drive.

[peter_pedro]

Thanks for the quick reply Conniff!

 

How do I check the code? I really hope it only needs programming!

 

Cheers.

[Conniff]

I hope it doesn't either. You can go to the dealer, but there are a lot of independent garages with a code reader, so check that out first, it will save a lot of beer money.

Whoever checks it should have the codes as well if they have a reader, so they will let you know, but write down the code anyway so we can compare it.

 

You could even try Halfords to see if they have one and do it yourself.

[peter_pedro]

Thanks for the tips! Yer I will def do that and save some beer money

 

Ok as soon as I get a code I will let you know but its a relief that I can still drive it in the meanwhile, cheers.

 

May god be with 'us' (TDCI users lol)

[peter_pedro]

I have checked with ford and they said that will take up to an hour if it goes pass 30 min then will be £100!

 

I am thinking to go to halfords or something equivalent to find fault code but if car needs programming is Ford the only garage capable of that?

 

I can see this affecting my wallet, would it be safe drive like this until the end of the month?

[flub1976]

Flashing glowplug lights are very common on these. Can be multiple faults and can be serious. If you have loss of power I would not recomend driving but to get it to a decent independant and code read (shouldnt cost more than £35). if injectors etc then will need to go to ford.

 

I had a 60k tdci 130 and it bent a con rod with the same symptoms. something to do with injector program/timing. Luckily for me the customer had driven the car with the light flashing for two months before it went bang and didnt bother to tell me so I didnt have to pay.

[peter_pedro]

Hi, well i believe there is no loss of power at all I thought so previously cuz itz a new car.n im used to petrol. I drove 30 miles today n had no issues at all went up to 90, the only issue is that it failed to start my friends had leads n car started straigh away n drove fine afterwards its the only issue i have is starting car but if i av leads car starts fine. Based on that i think it could possibly just need new glow plugs, thoughts?

 

Im having loads of garages saying the same that could be serious but i decided to check code myself to avoid being ripped off. I got a fault code reader but dnt know where to find dlc on mondeo could u explain me pls how cuz i cnt find it. Iy says iy should be under dash nut where?!

 

Thanks

[Conniff]

Always start with the cheapest thing first and at the mileage that is on the clock, a new set of glow plugs wouldn't go amiss any way.

[peter_pedro]

Indeed, however i wanna check the error codes anyway n then install new glow plugs myself, do u guys know a good link that shows how to connect code reader to mondeo mk3. Im prayin itz only the glow pugs that need replacement! But i honestely dnt see anythin else wrong with car anyway. Also after i add new glow plugs assumin thats the only fault will the light stop flashin or do i need to reset dash usin code reader?

[Conniff]

The data link connector is under the dash by the accelerator pedal.

 

PM your email address peter and I will send you a list of codes.

 

Reset depends on the car. Some will reset themselves but if not then pulling the fuse for the ecm and leave it out for about half an hour should do it.

Edited July 2, 2010 by Conniff

[peter_pedro]

My email address is (Edit) thanks u guys are starts!

Edited July 4, 2010 by maroondevo52
Removed e-mail address.

[peter_pedro]

The code reader my mate lent me only supports diesels from 2004 so could not get the codes today will try to get one at harolds 2mz n keep u posted.

[peter_pedro]

Where can i find some decent glowplugs? I looked on ebay n didnt give much confidence, maybe harolds?

[theboneman]

join car mechanics forum the boys on there will help you out. just let them know soots sent you;)

[heliosuk]

Hi Pedro,

 

It's easy to read the codes but the skill is in what they mean and why they are there. Code readers do just that, they tell you the code which you can look up quite easily.

 

You've given a clue though with the battery going flat as well. Does the reader give a historic code as well?

 

The problem with the readers is that they don't give the ability to re-programme which is why they are so cheap.

 

Look at the injector make. I'm pretty sure it will be Bosch or Delphi. Most diesel specialists will have have the necessary updates for these if required and are generally far cheaper and knowledgeable than the dealers. Also look at equivalent glow plugs, it's a bit like spark plugs so get equivalent price comparrisons.

[peter_pedro]

Thanks for the tips boys Yep the battery is dead that explains why the car wouldnt start when cold. The car drives fine but jst the glow plug light flashin that worries me, yer i now understand that readers dnt programme so aint gone for a reading but def worth to check if i need re-programing. I also knw that the car needs glow plugs n will get them the s!me make of injectors, how do i find the injector make?

 

I would be delighted if all i need is an update. I will be looking for independent garages that 'an do it by the way I live in Bedford, do u guys know any on this area? Cheers

[peter_pedro]

Thanks for the tips boys Yep the battery is dead that explains why the car wouldnt start when cold. The car drives fine but jst the glow plug light flashin that worries me, yer i now understand that readers dnt programme so aint gone for a reading but def worth to check if i need re-programing. I also knw that the car needs glow plugs n will get them the s!me make of injectors, how do i find the injector make?

 

I would be delighted if all i need is an update. I will be looking for independent garages that 'an do it by the way I live in Bedford, do u guys know any on this area? Cheers

[heliosuk]

I doubt it needs an update from your description. The injectors will match the pump on an HPCR system such as yours. Just remove the cover over the engine to expose the top end and you will see the make. The glow plugs are different. They could be from anyone but the main suppliers are the same as spark plug manufactuer's hence cross reference them for the best deal.

 

Battery voltage is veryimportant when reading codes so essentially you need to make sure that when reading you know it's good to get live readings. Generally when interpreting fault codes they are historic and a set number of historic codes will show a permanent "supposed"fault.

 

From experience, glowplugs on HPCR systems last about 40 to 60% of those of the injectors though I haven't had occasion to actually analyse the failure rate at the moment.

 

Bosch have recognised centres so worth looking up that.

[peter_pedro]

So do you reckon I only need glow plugs?

 

and when you say:

"You've given a clue though with the battery going flat as well" is that an indication that glow plugs are not working properlly?

 

also do you think that injectors could be affected?

[peter_pedro]

Or the injectors only need programming?

 

Assuming that there is nothing wrong with the driving of the car is it safe to drive it like this until the end of the month?

 

At the moment the glow plug light flashes but drives fine.

[peter_pedro]

guys I found an independent bosh garage that can do me a diagnosis for £28 that is great. But they are very busy and can only see me saturday but soon I will find out whats wrong! I will keep driving the car until then 20 miles per day hopefully I will still alive by then but I shall keep you posted with results.