Glow Plugs

bape000 · 08-28-2018, 04:48 AM

The glow plug control unit and glow plugs are throwing up a fault on me 2008 Diesel E90. I rang an indy garage and they advised they don't need changed as they're never used, hence the fault code. They're only used in temperatures of -16C. Is this true? Can I get away with not changing them?

E60525d · 08-28-2018, 05:33 AM

I would avoid that Indy as they seem totally clueless.

Yes they need to be changed if you have a fault. Is the engine runnning ok or do you have issues?

I had a glow plug fault and was solved by a new control unit.

bape000 · 08-28-2018, 06:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by E60525d

I would avoid that Indy as they seem totally clueless.

Yes they need to be changed if you have a fault. Is the engine runnning ok or do you have issues?

I had a glow plug fault and was solved by a new control unit.

The engine seems to be running ok however I'm on 95k miles now and looking to begin some preventative maintenance.

nomiS330d · 08-29-2018, 12:42 AM

My mates E60 throws up the glow plug module fault code but he’s too tight to get it replaced and says he didn’t have any starting issues last winter anyway.
My E92 doesn’t have any fault codes at all but did struggle a couple of times last winter, just took about twice as much cranking to start than normal and smoked for a minute. Weird!

rasa bmw · 08-29-2018, 02:05 AM

the indy was right ina a way,,as the car in it self does not need the ehat from glow plugs to start,,but if you have a dpf and pr the relay is at fault..then get it done,,ive had glow plug faults on my e46 for 5 years,,starts first click every time,,same as my e90 does with the faults..

bape000 · 08-29-2018, 02:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rasa bmw

the indy was right ina a way,,as the car in it self does not need the ehat from glow plugs to start,,but if you have a dpf and pr the relay is at fault..then get it done,,ive had glow plug faults on my e46 for 5 years,,starts first click every time,,same as my e90 does with the faults..

thanks dude

mayhs · 08-29-2018, 11:45 AM

Same as above, the glow plugs primary use is for cold starts, however if you still have a DPF filter, then you wont be able to re-gen if you have any glow plug faults. After a short while your DPF will become blocked and the car will throw up an warning light. Its worth replacing the relay and all glow plugs if they haven't been done yet, but I wouldn't ignore the issue as DPF's aren't cheap...

mjn77 · 08-31-2018, 03:12 PM

Glowplugs are used when temps are below 7 degrees.

08-28-2018, 04:48 AM	#1
bape000 New Member 0 Rep 12 Posts Drives: 330D MSport Join Date: Aug 2018 Location: UK iTrader: (0)	Glow Plugs - Do they need changed? The glow plug control unit and glow plugs are throwing up a fault on me 2008 Diesel E90. I rang an indy garage and they advised they don't need changed as they're never used, hence the fault code. They're only used in temperatures of -16C. Is this true? Can I get away with not changing them?
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08-28-2018, 05:33 AM	#2
E60525d Lieutenant Colonel 278 Rep 1,523 Posts Drives: 330d M Sport LCI Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: UK iTrader: (0)	I would avoid that Indy as they seem totally clueless. Yes they need to be changed if you have a fault. Is the engine runnning ok or do you have issues? I had a glow plug fault and was solved by a new control unit.
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08-29-2018, 12:42 AM	#4
nomiS330d Lieutenant 75 Rep 541 Posts Drives: E92 330d Join Date: Jul 2017 Location: Doncaster iTrader: (0)	My mates E60 throws up the glow plug module fault code but he’s too tight to get it replaced and says he didn’t have any starting issues last winter anyway. My E92 doesn’t have any fault codes at all but did struggle a couple of times last winter, just took about twice as much cranking to start than normal and smoked for a minute. Weird!
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08-29-2018, 02:05 AM	#5
rasa bmw Colonel 243 Rep 2,026 Posts Drives: 640d sport/f31 330d x drive Join Date: Jul 2017 Location: northumberland iTrader: (0)	the indy was right ina a way,,as the car in it self does not need the ehat from glow plugs to start,,but if you have a dpf and pr the relay is at fault..then get it done,,ive had glow plug faults on my e46 for 5 years,,starts first click every time,,same as my e90 does with the faults..
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08-29-2018, 11:45 AM	#7
mayhs Private 18 Rep 73 Posts Drives: 2006 BMW E90 330d M-Sport Join Date: May 2014 Location: Midlands, UK iTrader: (0)	Same as above, the glow plugs primary use is for cold starts, however if you still have a DPF filter, then you wont be able to re-gen if you have any glow plug faults. After a short while your DPF will become blocked and the car will throw up an warning light. Its worth replacing the relay and all glow plugs if they haven't been done yet, but I wouldn't ignore the issue as DPF's aren't cheap...
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08-31-2018, 03:12 PM	#8
mjn77 Lieutenant Colonel 1073 Rep 1,956 Posts Drives: E90 M3 LCI Jerez Black Join Date: Apr 2015 Location: Herts, UK iTrader: (2) Garage List 2011 BMW M3 [0.00]	Glowplugs are used when temps are below 7 degrees.
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