Not joined yet? Register for free and enjoy features such as alerts, private messaging and viewing latest posts and topics.

Glow plug icon and dsc ?

Discuss the problems with your X5 (E53).
Post Reply
Zedhed
Member
Member
Posts: 146
Joined: Mon Aug 21, 2017 2:14 pm
Location: Tipton

Glow plug icon and dsc ?

Post by Zedhed » Mon Aug 21, 2017 8:45 pm

Hi folks.is there supposed to be a glow plug icon on the dash when turning the ignition on?also when pressing dsc button i cant see anything happening with that neither. :(

User avatar
snrbrtsn
Member
Member
Posts: 449
Joined: Fri May 29, 2015 10:57 am

Re: Glow plug icon and dsc ?

Post by snrbrtsn » Mon Aug 21, 2017 8:55 pm

The glowplugs work when temps drop <5 degrees thereafter the light illuminates on first start.

Though they normally work all the time, just no requirement for pre start heat, I suggest normally as their sensitive and most often faulty, whether plugs themselves or module! A bit of a weakness though not really needed for starting, but linked to dpf for regen I believe, complex things & systems

Dsc should switch on off the traction control and illuminate a light on dash ??? Try pressing several times

Zedhed
Member
Member
Posts: 146
Joined: Mon Aug 21, 2017 2:14 pm
Location: Tipton

Re: Glow plug icon and dsc ?

Post by Zedhed » Mon Aug 21, 2017 9:33 pm

Ok thanks bud.should of mentioned though its 2004 3.0 d auto.sorry.i believe there is no dpf on these.am i right in thinking this. ::)

Horizon
Snr Member
Snr Member
Posts: 2599
Joined: Sun Jun 10, 2012 7:34 pm
Location: Bury Lancashire

Re: Glow plug icon and dsc ?

Post by Horizon » Mon Aug 21, 2017 9:41 pm

[quote="Zedhed"]
Ok thanks bud.should of mentioned though its 2004 3.0 d auto.sorry.i believe there is no dpf on these.am i right in thinking this. ::)
[/quote]

Yes, there was no DPF fitted to UK spec E53's
As mentioned the glowplugs are not initiated above 5 degs ambient temperature. Even below 5 degrees failed glowplugs won't be a problem apart from a plume of smoke from the exhaust on start up.
2011 Kia Sorento KX3  2.2D 60 Plate Auto in black ( mine )
BMW E83 X3.  3.0d M Sport, 2008 in black ( now gone )
BMW E93 330i Convertible  Msport  2007.  ( Now sold )
VW Golf 2.0 TDI 140 GT 2010 ( now sold )
Now Sold 55 plate, X5, 3.0 D Sport. Silv

Zedhed
Member
Member
Posts: 146
Joined: Mon Aug 21, 2017 2:14 pm
Location: Tipton

Re: Glow plug icon and dsc ?

Post by Zedhed » Mon Aug 21, 2017 10:13 pm

Funny you should mention the smoke.it does give a little puff of smoke on morning from cold but thats it then.

User avatar
Alan Gunn
Snr Member
Snr Member
Posts: 1427
Joined: Thu Dec 08, 2016 10:32 pm
Location: Anglesey North Wales

Re: Glow plug icon and dsc ?

Post by Alan Gunn » Tue Aug 22, 2017 6:22 am

No glow plug icon on mine it just say's "PRE HEAING" on the display when it's cold enough that is.

User avatar
X5Sport
Global Moderator
Global Moderator
Posts: 18777
Joined: Fri Sep 03, 2010 4:09 pm
Location: Planet X6......

Re: Glow plug icon and dsc ?

Post by X5Sport » Tue Aug 22, 2017 7:45 am

DSC will go on/off with a long (a few seconds) press.  A short press will part disable the system which can be useful in winter conditions when trying to move the car.  It has sometimes been referred to as 'Snow mode'.

No DPF as said above.

Many EU3 diesels (which the E53 is) have the tell-tale starting puff when fully cold.  Later systems don't do it.  I have never seen a starting puff smoke on my X6 or Škoda Superb.

If you do find that the glowplugs are showing faulty then it is worth changing the controller at the same time as they have a tendency to pack up shortly after the plugs get replaced.  A fault code scan will tell you if they are working or not.
:ant: Never anthropomorphise computers. They hate that.

Zedhed
Member
Member
Posts: 146
Joined: Mon Aug 21, 2017 2:14 pm
Location: Tipton

Re: Glow plug icon and dsc ?

Post by Zedhed » Tue Aug 22, 2017 1:51 pm

Ok thanks peeps.was thinking of investing in a snap on scanner tbh,i reckon it will pay for itself on the x5 alone :)).on the subject,can anyone reccomend a certain model around the £300 mark.2nd hand of course.

User avatar
snrbrtsn
Member
Member
Posts: 449
Joined: Fri May 29, 2015 10:57 am

Re: Glow plug icon and dsc ?

Post by snrbrtsn » Tue Aug 22, 2017 3:06 pm

Carly or creator c310, much cheaper at circa £100

Smeeagain
Snr Member
Snr Member
Posts: 1860
Joined: Thu Aug 12, 2010 7:14 pm

Re: Glow plug icon and dsc ?

Post by Smeeagain » Tue Aug 22, 2017 11:13 pm

[quote="snrbrtsn"]
Carly or creator c310, much cheaper at circa £100
[/quote]

Or read this instead - much more information. http://xdrivers.co.uk/forum/index.php/t ... 797.0.html

But as a point of order, if you ask a question mid post that is entirely different to your original post you aren't guaranteed getting the answers you want i.e. folk who know about scanners and want to contribute to a discussion about them, aren't necessarily know that that question is posed within thread titled "Glow plug icon and dsc", and they may not even read a post about glow plugs

Post Reply