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jasminfire1

Mercedes GLC Diesel Glow Control Unit Problem

I'm experiencing an issue with my 2018 Mercedes GLC diesel. The preheating lamp is not switching off, and the check engine light is illuminated. I've also noticed some smoke when accelerating. The vehicle currently has 151963 km on the clock. A diagnostic test pointed towards a defective glow control unit. I suspect a faulty cable or plug connection is the culprit. Has anyone encountered a similar problem? What could be the issue here regarding car maintenance?

Summary of the thread

A 2018 Mercedes GLC diesel had problems with the preheating lamp not turning off and the check engine light illuminating, along with smoke during acceleration. A diagnostic test showed a faulty glow control unit, possibly because of a bad cable or plug connection. The suggested solution was to check the voltage at the glow plugs, but a workshop finally found and replaced a corroded connector, fixing the problem.

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4 comment(s)

martinsilber20

Glow control unit issues on diesel engines are pretty common. The persistent preheating lamp and check engine light definitely point in that direction. The smoke when accelerating could be due to engine misfire during cold start, since the glow plugs aren't heating the cylinders properly. Before replacing the unit, check the voltage at the glow plugs themselves. Are you comfortable testing that with a multimeter?

jasminfire1 (community.author)

Thank you for your swift response. I don't have a multimeter at hand. Where exactly should I perform the diagnostic test with a multimeter?

martinsilber20

Without the right tools, you may not fix it yourself. If you don't have a multimeter, or the know-how to use it, it's probably best to take it to a workshop. A faulty connection can sometimes be fixed easily, but if the glow control unit itself is damaged, it will need replacing. It looks like a faulty cable or plug connection of the component is defective. Replacing the glow control unit would cost 95€.

jasminfire1 (community.author)

I appreciate your advice. I took the Mercedes to a workshop, and as you suggested, the glow control unit was indeed defective due to a corroded connector. They replaced the connector, and the preheating lamp now switches off as expected. Thank you once again for the help.

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MERCEDES

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GLC