The yellow coil light on the dashboard was flashing on my way back from France, and it transpired it could be turbo related issues, and could cost as much as 2.5k+ GBP to fix.
My nextdoor neighbours who are commercial vehicle mechanics and have VWs themselves will look at her in more details next week, based on the diagnostics performed so far, to see what needs to be repaired.
I had already spent over 2k+ GBP on her this year for a habitation check, 2 new leisure batteries, a new van battery, and re-wiring to fix existing faults and added 2 trickle chargers for the leisure batteries as well as for the van battery, hey ho!
DK
------------- Apple The Campervan - A Van For Work, Rest & Play!
- 2027: ? NL+DE+FR
- 2026: FR+DE
- 2025: 17/77
'24: 10/49; '23: 9/47;'22: 8/46; '21: 9/34
* Ex-tenter
* Treat life events like a dog: if you can't eat it, play with it or hump it, p1$$ on it and walk away!
The yellow 'coil' warning light is associated with the engine Glow Plugs, they are used to get diesel engines started from cold.
With modern vehicles and their complex computer controlled systems, any warning light may have more than the mere basic function, so a bit of fault code reading needs to be done to see what the self diagnostics have flagged up.
Not sure I see a obvious link to Turbos though! Glow plug issues should be in the hundreds of £s to fix, not thousands.
DK can you remind me what age your van is, I know you bought it new but can’t remember when.
------------- XVI yes?
As well is two words!
How does a sage know everything about everything? or does he? or does he just think he does?
Remember, if you buy something you bought it, not brought it.
The diagnostic was not performed by me, it was performed by my neighbours who are qualified commercial vehicle mechanics with their own company, so they know what they are doing.
They explained the worst case would be the need to replace one of the turbos and that there are two, and they will not be able to determine which one is faulty until they take it apart.
Hence I am managing my expectations for yet another big spend on the van so that I am prepared for it, especially from the cash flow perspective.
The best case would be to replace the faulty glow plug.
DK
------------- Apple The Campervan - A Van For Work, Rest & Play!
- 2027: ? NL+DE+FR
- 2026: FR+DE
- 2025: 17/77
'24: 10/49; '23: 9/47;'22: 8/46; '21: 9/34
* Ex-tenter
* Treat life events like a dog: if you can't eat it, play with it or hump it, p1$$ on it and walk away!
Our previous MH very gradually got harder to start. Eventually, belching out black smoke, it refused. AA got us going again, said: don’t turn the engine off until you get to your garage. Every glow plug needed replaced. But… not ££ turbo.
Fingers & toes crossed it’s the cheap repair not the pricey one.
Would it be worth taking it to a main dealer fpr a second opinion?It also crossed my mind whether the previous electrical work you had done had any impact on the current situation?
Quote: Originally posted by David Klyne on 03/7/2026
Would it be worth taking it to a main dealer fpr a second opinion?It also crossed my mind whether the previous electrical work you had done had any impact on the current situation?
David
My nextdoor neighbours are professional commercial vehicle mechanics and are VW owners themselves.
They arranged for the previous electrical mess that resulted in the van's battery being drained to be fixed.
They also fixed the issue with the Webasto heater not starting after the leisure batteries were changed, and found the new batteries were not wired correctly and no power was going into the heater, etc. etc...
I trust them and they look after my car and not just the van - they would not carry out any unnecessary work or repair.
DK
------------- Apple The Campervan - A Van For Work, Rest & Play!
- 2027: ? NL+DE+FR
- 2026: FR+DE
- 2025: 17/77
'24: 10/49; '23: 9/47;'22: 8/46; '21: 9/34
* Ex-tenter
* Treat life events like a dog: if you can't eat it, play with it or hump it, p1$$ on it and walk away!
I had the same yellow coil light come on when on the M1 about 3 months or so ago. Pulled into motorway services, made a call, and waited 25mins for breakdown to arrive. When he turned up, I left him to it, whilst I nipped to the loo.
When I got back, he'd already found the culprit... a stainless steel pipe had come away from it's flange, and needed a replacement.
I followed him (in "Limp Mode") to his depot 20 mins away, then sat around whilst he went and fetched the replacement pipe, returned, and fitted it.
All in all, maybe 3 hours max, and a parts bill for £77.06 (Breakdown cover footed the labour bill, obvs!)
I hasten to add, I was equally delighted and relieved, but my point is, it may not be as bad as first feared!
Fingers crossed for you!
ETA:
The pipe in question was front/top/centre when opening the bonnet, so arguably one of the easier components to see and gain access to!
I was also advised that the problem (said pipe coming away from said flange) was a common fault with VWs.
It might not be the turbo, could just be the glow plug(s) or actuator(s) at fault.
Won't know for certain until the van goes into their workshop on Tuesday 07 July 2026.
I am prepared for the worst, mentally and financially, in case it does cost £££ to fix.
DK
------------- Apple The Campervan - A Van For Work, Rest & Play!
- 2027: ? NL+DE+FR
- 2026: FR+DE
- 2025: 17/77
'24: 10/49; '23: 9/47;'22: 8/46; '21: 9/34
* Ex-tenter
* Treat life events like a dog: if you can't eat it, play with it or hump it, p1$$ on it and walk away!
Good news, in that both turbos are fine, something to do with ??? an acutator valve that is stuck/not opening as it should; currently waiting for replacement part; and it should not cost as much as they first thought, PHEW!
DK
------------- Apple The Campervan - A Van For Work, Rest & Play!
- 2027: ? NL+DE+FR
- 2026: FR+DE
- 2025: 17/77
'24: 10/49; '23: 9/47;'22: 8/46; '21: 9/34
* Ex-tenter
* Treat life events like a dog: if you can't eat it, play with it or hump it, p1$$ on it and walk away!
A day of all things motorhome and campervan. The show is held both in the main indoor arena and across the grounds. Catering, hot drinks and food options are available. Easy access to the site and free parking included. Win one of five pairs of day tickets
Topic: More van issues
via mobile 03/7/2026 at 3:25pm
