User Tag List

Thanks Thanks:  0
Likes Likes:  0
Results 1 to 5 of 5

Thread: Flashing Glow Plug Light

  1. #1
    Regular Member lofty's Avatar
    Join Date
    Sep 2007
    Location
    @home
    Post Thanks / Like
    Mentioned
    0 Post(s)
    Tagged
    0 Thread(s)
    Vehicle InfoStats

    Vehicle : Vectra C Estate

    Trim : Elite

    Engine : 1.9 CDTi


    Question Flashing Glow Plug Light

    My glow plug light has just started flashing??? Now I know that this indicates a dpf regen (I thought VX turned this off?(, but I've had the car nearly a year and I've never seen this come on yet.

    The manual states that the dpf needs a regen and my mpg has gone down quite a bit recently.. is this the sign of an impending failure or is this just the first regen I've had since I bought the car???

  2. #2
    Regular Member barney490's Avatar
    Join Date
    Dec 2009
    Location
    PRESTON
    Post Thanks / Like
    Mentioned
    0 Post(s)
    Tagged
    0 Thread(s)
    Vehicle InfoStats





    Default

    The manual says this about flashing glow plug light.

    The self-cleaning function cannot operate automatically during certain driving situations where the engine does not reach its normal operating temperature. An example of this would be driving only short distances in cold weather. If the filter needs cleaning and recent d riving situations did not allow the func tion to automatically operate, then the control indicator ! will flash. If this occurs, then you may continue to drive the vehicle normally. The vehicle will not be damaged and does not require service.
    The self-cleaning function will automatically operate whilst driving after the engine has reached its normal operating temperature. The control indicator ! will continue to flash until the self-cleaning operation is complete. This may take up to 20 minutes of driving. The time will be shorter at higher vehicle speeds. If the vehicle is not moving for more than a few minutes, then the self cleaning function will not operate. Operation will continue when driving resumes.

    I would suggest a nice hot run on the motorway at 70 keeping the car in fifth gear till it regens and the light goes out


  3. #3
    Regular Member barney490's Avatar
    Join Date
    Dec 2009
    Location
    PRESTON
    Post Thanks / Like
    Mentioned
    0 Post(s)
    Tagged
    0 Thread(s)
    Vehicle InfoStats





    Default

    You might also be interested in this,

    Basically what is happening during this process, is that the engine's computer has decided from the information that it receives from the sensors installed in the exhaust, that the DPF has filled up past its acceptable limit. The computer then closes the EGR (exhaust gas recirculation) to help get exhaust gas temps higher and also injects a small shot of fuel into the cylinders when the exhaust valves are open, hence increase in fuel consumption. The raised exhaust temps, up to 600 degrees Celsius, and the small amount of fuel then burn out the particulate (soot) that the DPF has collected since its last regen.
    Once regeneration starts the ECU then needs to see the correct value readings from the pressure sensors in the exhaust that the filter is flowing an acceptable limit again, it ends the regen cycle. It is not good practice to switch off any car whilst the regen process is running it’s cycle. Typically if this happens, the car will attempt another regen the next time the engine is started and reaches temperature. Problems arise when after several interrupted regen cycles, the car will no longer attempt another, causing the DPF to block, bringing on the EML and entering limp mode.

  4. #4
    Regular Member barney490's Avatar
    Join Date
    Dec 2009
    Location
    PRESTON
    Post Thanks / Like
    Mentioned
    0 Post(s)
    Tagged
    0 Thread(s)
    Vehicle InfoStats





    Default

    why on earth does this now double post ???
    Last edited by barney490; 2nd March 2012 at 19:37. Reason: double post

  5. #5
    Regular Member lofty's Avatar
    Join Date
    Sep 2007
    Location
    @home
    Post Thanks / Like
    Mentioned
    0 Post(s)
    Tagged
    0 Thread(s)
    Vehicle InfoStats

    Vehicle : Vectra C Estate

    Trim : Elite

    Engine : 1.9 CDTi


    Default

    Took it up the motorway for 20 mins and it's all cleared

    Checked this morning and the dpf is showing 20% saturation. Will keep an eye on it.

    Thanks for the replies.

Thread Information

Users Browsing this Thread

There are currently 1 users browsing this thread. (0 members and 1 guests)

Similar Threads

  1. Flashing glow plug light and no power...?
    By Zipperno in forum Engine & Drivetrain
    Replies: 1
    Last Post: 31st January 2013, 17:20
  2. No Glow Plug Light. Help!
    By M65 in forum Engine & Drivetrain
    Replies: 16
    Last Post: 4th December 2012, 18:25
  3. Light for Glow Plugs Flashing Constantly
    By SWILSY in forum Engine & Drivetrain
    Replies: 0
    Last Post: 1st April 2011, 15:51
  4. flashing glow plug light????
    By bangty 1 in forum Electrical & ICE (including SatNav)
    Replies: 13
    Last Post: 2nd February 2011, 18:47
  5. glow plug light
    By learoy69 in forum Vectra C / Signum Car Chat
    Replies: 3
    Last Post: 25th February 2008, 17:59

Visitors found this page by searching for:

Nobody landed on this page from a search engine, yet!

Bookmarks

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •