Glow Plug Control Module (J179) Problem On VAG Cars
Hi!
In this article I will review a very common problem on VAG type of cars where many technicians firstly go into unnecessary repairing and maybe the entire problem is still not solved.
We are talking about the Glow Plug Control Module (J179).
VAG types of cars are using some sort of part naming and/or numbering for better over viewing and understanding the complete system. Therefore we have in this writing the label J179. If you use a VAG specific diagnostic tool then you can see a labeling like this beside the DTC (Diagnostic Trouble Code), but don’t interchange this with the part number.
This is not a part number. If you would call an official VAG service they would probably know for what you searching for, but in many general automotive part selling stores they won’t know what that mean. Most part numbers on VAG cars are arranged in four groups like this:
038 907 281 B this part number is actually the J179 module in this case. If you ask for this kind of part in any automotive part shop they would probably know what you asking for. This J179 is actually a sort of “smart relay” which is acting as a relay but controlled through the ECU (Engine Control Unit) but still have his little world inside because there is sitting a uC. The main purpose of this unit is to control the glow plugs in the car. Here is how this unit looks like and the pin out for it:
G1to G4-Glow plug, *87-power to device, 31-GND DI-diagnostic pin, 30-Battery +, SI-Control pin
* Just for better understanding what the pin 87 means check the “relay” picture above. Probably there is a more relevant naming the 87 in English but I hope you will understand…
If something is wrong with this unit or circuit the so called MIL (Malfunction Indicator Lamp) lamp will go on the dash board which looks like this :
Most of time when I scanned for DTC’s with my diag tool I found a list of DTC’s like this:
In this or similar case I pay attention to just one problem, which is triggering the other four problems. The P0684 code is actually the main reason why all other DTC’s are there. In this case from where this DTC’s are the J179 module was bad, burnt contacts and the connector where it was fitted also melted down.
The reason for this kind of overheating most of time is bad contacts and water entrance. Many now days car have problem with water draining systems and the control boxes where are the relays and many times also some sophisticated ECU’s are fitted fulfilled with water. And here is a snap out of a VAG specific diagnostic tool reading. Where I read the same car:
As you can see the J179 is mentioned right there, but on the first list is not. That is because the first list was read with a general purpose diagnostic tool. The best diag tool is always the OEM diag tool, but the down side of that is, that you can’t use that tool on other vehicles brand. I would prefer for car technicians to have a universal diagnostic tool and OEM diagnostic tools for most of the cars they deal with.
I hope you enjoy this tutorial and will save lot of repair time.
This article was prepared for you by Christian Robert Adzic from Novi Knezevac-Serbia.
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Note: You can check his previous post in the below link:
https://jestineyong.com/noise-in-wire-how-to-successfully-remove-noise-in-wire-by-using/
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Robert Calk Jr.
May 29, 2019 at 9:58 am
Good job, Chris!
Albert van Bemmelen
May 29, 2019 at 1:17 pm
Your article will be very interesting for my brother who is still looking for a good OBD reader since his cheap tool doesn't work with his smartphone as was promised by the manufacturer. What exact type of universal diagnostic and OEM diagnostic tool would you recommend Chris?
Christian Robert Adzic
June 4, 2019 at 2:48 am
Hi!
Thanks for supporting my article.
A nice universal tool is let's say the delphi ds150e. Even the cheap china clone is working really good.
What is the car model of your brother?
Marinko
May 29, 2019 at 1:35 pm
gosp. Adžić super članak.
Nastavite ss objavama iz toga područja jer nažalost ne nađe se kvalitetnih specijaliziranih odgovora za određeni problem kod auta već tipa skan koda Obd-2 dijagnostike što može biti i varljivo-glavni adut je iskustvo majstora na aparatu.
molim Vas da li je mogući kontakt u vezi nekoga problema na mome vozilu ?
hvala, LP
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Mr. Adzic super article.
Continue ss releases from the area because unfortunately there are no quality specialized answers for a specific car problem, but a type of code scan Obd-2 diagnostics that can be deceptive-the main trump is the experience of the masters on the device.
thanks, LP
Parasuraman Subramanian
May 29, 2019 at 5:59 pm
Very useful info shared! Automotive electronics is very unique and more amusing!
Paris Azis
May 30, 2019 at 2:13 am
Nice article Christian, and well presented.
Arafat
June 29, 2019 at 9:55 pm
Nice presentation. Just wondering if you can do the same for petrol cars. I mean taking us through if thats the same cause for engine check