V60 Diesel Preheating Lamp Issue

Sounds like a glow plug issue alright. The symptoms you describe – preheating lamp, engine light, and smoke – all point in that direction, especially in a diesel. Have you had a diagnostic test done to read the error codes? That would pinpoint which glow plug or the glow control unit is the culprit. Also, have you checked the battery voltage? A weak battery can sometimes cause similar problems, although it's less likely.

Thanks for the quick response! No, I haven't done a diagnostic test yet, thought I'd ask here first. I'll get that done. You mentioned glow control unit, how exactly is that related? And how would I check the voltage?

The glow control unit manages the power to the glow plugs. If it's faulty, it can cause the plugs to stay on, not come on at all, or behave erratically, leading to your symptoms. It's more common than all glow plugs failing simultaneously. Regarding your question about the battery, you'd need a multimeter to check the voltage across the terminals. However, based on your symptoms, it's more probable that you have a fault in the cable connection of the component. Anyway, if the fault is confirmed, it's best to take it to a workshop. The repair would cost around 95€.

Alright, thanks a lot for the advice! I got the diagnostic test done as you suggested and it turned out to be a defective glow control unit, just as you thought. The problem was the cable connection of the component defective. Got it fixed for 95€, everything is working fine again!