Faulty Glow Plugs Causing Rough Cold Starts in Audi A2

As an A3 2006 diesel owner, I dealt with similar glow plug issues last winter. The symptoms match exactly, rough idle, difficult cold starts, and constant preheating light warnings. The engine misfire during cold starts was particularly concerning. The diagnosis confirmed two faulty glow plugs and a damaged glow plug control module. The repair required replacing all four glow plugs as a set, since mixing old and new ones often leads to uneven engine combustion. The control module also needed replacement due to internal corrosion. This is a serious issue that should not be postponed, as continuous driving with faulty glow plugs can lead to starting problems, increased fuel consumption, and potential engine damage. The repair itself typically takes 2-3 hours for a skilled mechanic, with most time spent accessing the glow plugs buried in the cylinder head. The engine light stayed on until the repair was completed. Post-repair, cold starts became smooth again and the rough idle completely disappeared. Regular maintenance of glow plugs is crucial for diesel engine longevity, especially in vehicles with higher mileage like yours. Consider finding a mechanic specializing in diesel engines for this repair, as proper diagnostic equipment is essential for accurate glow plug testing.

Thanks for sharing your experience with the A3. I had almost the exact same symptoms on my A2 back in November. The check engine light came on during a particularly cold morning, and the diesel engine was incredibly hard to start. Your mention of the control module is interesting, my mechanic initially just replaced the glow plugs but the issues came back after a few weeks. Did you remember roughly what you paid for the complete fix? In my case, I ended up having to go back for that control module, which was frustrating. Have you noticed any other issues pop up since getting it all sorted? My fuel efficiency seems slightly better now, but I wonder if thats just because the cold starts are smoother.

Thanks for asking about the costs. After dealing with those glow plug issues on my A3, I can confirm it was totally worth fixing properly. The final bill came to 440 Euro for the complete repair, including both the glow plugs and control module. Much better than going back twice like you had to. Since the repair, my diesel engine has been running perfectly, no more check engine lights or cold start problems. The improved fuel efficiency youre noticing is definitely real. When glow plugs work correctly, the diesel engine gets better combustion right from startup, which helps overall fuel consumption. The initial symptoms were concerning, but getting the complete fix done in one go, replacing both the faulty glow plugs and control module, really solved the issue permanently. The mechanic did mention that partial repairs often lead to repeat problems, which matches your experience.

After getting multiple opinions, I finally decided to take my A2 to a different mechanic who specialized in diesel engines. The whole experience turned out much better than expected. They did a proper diagnostic and found both the glow plugs and control module needed replacing, just like others mentioned. The repair took about 3 hours and cost 460 Euro total. Though slightly more expensive than my previous mechanic, they did the job right the first time. The diesel car now starts perfectly even in cold weather, and the check engine light has stayed off. No more rough idle or extended preheating light issues. Best part is the improved fuel efficiency, getting about 10% better mileage now that everything is working properly. Really wish I had done this complete fix from the start instead of trying to save money with just the glow plug replacement. Lesson learned about finding the right specialist for diesel engine work.