Hi

So I have an Audi A3 2005 1.9tdi. It was stood for a while and the battery was dead when I got to it. Managed to jump it with another car and took it for a drive to run it a bit. On the drive it jolted and I got the glow plug dash light flashing. 

 

So I looked into it and decided to just change them myself, I'm an amateur but like to try. Changed all 4 and hooked my other car to jump again and it won't start at all. Infact when I put the key in and turn, not all the way, all the lights on the dash and stereo flash and lots of ticking noises. This is before I even try to start it. 

 

Any ideas? Probably going to try and put the old glow plugs back in tomorrow 

I doubt that your old glow plugs had anything wrong with them, you just need a new battery. A dead battery will cause all sorts of electrical faults and false warnings even if the engine is running on alternator.

Hello Jack,

As Cliff says. OK, you have made the mistake of overlooking the logical fault of an unserviceable battery. Batteries which allowed to remain discharged can, and usually do, suffer terminal damage. 

Personally, I would swallow my pride and not bother to replace the original glow plugs at least until you have renewed the battery. Let’s hope it’s just a battery issue, but come what may, you won’t go far wrong in investing in a quality battery. 

Battery to buy? Buy once and wisely. Personally, I only buy Varta/Bosch with at least a 4 year warranty, and I buy online from specialist battery suppliers and not from online motor factors offering discount codes - the use of which can still end up with you paying more than the competitors! 

Battery suppliers:- e.g. Tanya, Battery Megastore - there are more, and I don’t have any connection. 

Kind regards,

Gareth.