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December 23rd,
#1
2007, 22:10

Relay 109 Engine Computer Power Supply

compu_85
Gadget Guy
This thread is a condensed version of the excellent Relay 109 information found in other
threads on this site. The other threads have become long, and some of the links no
longer work.

Join Date: Sep

2003
Location:
Springfield VA
TDI(s): 1999.5
Jetta GLX TDI
Fuel Economy: (images from schnabba)
3.3 Mi/kWh

What is it?
When you turn the key on in a TDI the relay marked 109 closes and supplies power to
the engine computer and some other things. MOGolf provides a complete list of all the
things powered by this relay here. All TDIs from 1996 to 2003 have this relay. In 2001
the design was updated and solved a lot of the problems.

What is the failure mode?

When this relay quits working the engine computer doesn't get power. If the engine
computer isn't powered the engine will not run. The engine will simply crank and crank
and crank. If the relay fails while the engine is running the engine will shut off just like
you had turned off the key. When the key is turned the glow plug light will not come on
and go out: The glow plug light coming on is the ECU's indication that it is powered up
and working properly. If the connection only breaks for a moment you will feel the
engine cut out, and see the glow plug light come on for a moment because the engine
computer was just rebooted.

How do you fix it?

Replacement is the best method. You can get a replacement relay at many online
vendors or at a VW parts counter. The part number is 1J0 906 381 A. The relay simply
pulls out.

On the A3 and B4 cars (basically everything before 1999) the relay is located on the
relay / fuse panel in the driver's footwell. Remove the trim piece above the pedals to
access the relays. One mechanic mentioned some very early 1996 Passats have this
relay in the center console area.

Picture of the CEII Fuse box found in the A3 and B4 cars (Courtesy of EtherNut) Relay
109 is the gray one which looks like 601

On the A4 cars (The new beetle and everything after 1999) the relay is located on the
relay panel in the dash above the driver's footwell. The footwell trim needs to be
removed for easy access. See this HOW TO.

Relay 109 is in position 12:

Image from tongsli

You can see the relay looking between the steering column and the dash trim.

Please note that a replacement relay may be a different color then your original, and the
lettering may be upside down. Be sure to plug it in the same direction as the original
one.

Why does it fail?

Some of the early relays have poor quality solder connections inside. The connections
crack and intermentenly work. This is why sometimes waiting can get the car to restart.
The contacts themselves can also go bad. The new, updated parts have larger contacts
and better solder joints to prevent failures.

If this can cause the engine to stall, not start, etc, why wasn't it recalled?
Your guess is as good as mine...

Is there any way to prevent the failure of this relay?

As was already stated, VW fixed this problem quietly in 2001. The updated part is gray,
and has 109 printed upside down relative to the older black units. The picture of the
CEII fuse box above shows an OEM updated relay, the image of the original one fitted to
my 99.5 shows one of the problematic ones. If you find your car has one of the original
black units it would be a good idea to replace it for an updated one. The cost is very
minimal and replacement is easy.

Note that some new aftermarket relays have a black case, even though they have the
updated design.

-Jason
__________________
Present:
2018 Tesla Model 3 DM. 47,000 miles.
2014 Cadillac ELR. 38,000 miles.
2013 Fiat 500e. 28,000 miles.
1991 Mercedes 350SDL 230,000 miles, 70,000 on engine. 18/27 MPG.
Past:
99.5 Jetta "GLX" TDI. 323,000 miles. Power Memory Seats, HIDs 11mm pump, BV39 Turbo, RCIII 36/47 MPG.
Sold to JDSwann's Brother.
2012 Passat SE TDI DSG. 114,000 miles. LED tails, Memory Seat, HIDs. Bought back by VW.
2004 Touareg V10 TDI. 165,000 miles. Sold to Matt98AHU w/ flat camshafts.
1988 Audi 5000S Quattro, 1992 Jetta ECOdiesel, 1991 Jetta ECOdiesel.
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Quote:

Originally Posted by BRUSSELS BELGIAN

Maybe I should pay MYSELF to do bad work on my car!

Last edited by compu_85; December 23rd, 2007 at 22:24.

 August 4th, 2008, 19:31
maria_beetle
Newbie
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: Festus, Missouri
TDI(s): 2000 Beetle
August 4th, 2008, 19:34
DanG144
Veteran Member
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: Chapin, South
Carolina, USA
TDI(s): 2005 A4 Jetta 5spd
August 4th, 2008, 21:34
rdkern
Veteran Member
Join Date: May 2004
Location: Humboldt Co CA
TDI(s): Passat 1997 silver
(sold after 11 years), Jetta
2000 atlantic blue
Fuel Economy: A4 = wife
drives it, don't know
August 5th, 2008, 09:26
maria_beetle
Newbie
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: Festus, Missouri
TDI(s): 2000 Beetle
August 5th, 2008, 11:45
egibbys
Veteran Member
#2
Question?
The problem I'm having fits this (sort of). Last fall, I had problems starting
my 2000 Beetl TDI. My husband replaced the glow plugs and harness wire.
This fixed the problems I was having then. Recently, my car began having
this problem:
Occaissionaly the glow plug light would not illuminate when turning the key
to "on" and the car will not start. This was happening maybe once a month
and only when my husband wasn't home to check it out. It started happening
more frequently, but after letting the car sit for a while it would stat and be
fine for several days/weeks. Now, the glow plug light is not coming on at all
and the car will not start. We replaced the Glow Plug Relay tonight with no
success. I've read the description of the 109 relay issue and it sounds like the
thing to replace but another site said that this relay is either bad or good, no
intermittant.
Has anyone has experience with this problem?
The car has over 180,000 miles on it.
#3
Replace relay 109. They can fail intermittently, and often do.
DanG
#4
The relay is either bad or good at one moment. The times it doesn't start it is
100% not good. The times it starts is 100% good.
Replace it.
Have you ever gone down the highway, typically in cruise, and have he cruise
"cut out" for just a moment? Typically when it's hot?
Replace it.
gotta go gotta go 109... (repeat, sung to "getti-up getti-up 409..." ) Some
may never heard that song. Sorry. Dating myself. It is 99.9% likely the
problem.
__________________
Whitedog's in progress no-start link.
http://forums.tdiclub.com/showthread.php?t=199398
Read all about it!
#5
Thank you, I will see if I can get one today and get it replaced tonight.
I sure hope this fixes it, I love my Bug!!
#6
[quote=rdkern]
Have you ever gone down the highway, typically in cruise, and have he cruise
 "cut out" for just a moment? Typically when it's hot?
Replace it.
quote]

Thanks for that. I was wondering what was going on with my cruise control. I
checked and I do have the old relay. Will be buying new one soon.
__________________
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: Salt Lake City, UT
1999.5 JETTA TDI - SOLD
TDI(s): 1999 Jetta TDI GLS
Fuel Economy: High 51.5

August 5th, 2008, 11:54 #7

mrGutWrench
Veteran Member
Quote:

Originally Posted by maria_beetle

Thank you, I will see if I can get one today and get it replaced
tonight.
Join Date: Aug 2002 I sure hope this fixes it, I love my Bug!!
Location: Wallace, NC
TDI(s): '03 Jetta Wagon
Fuel Economy: 63 MPG/56/47
(2nd tank) '02 Sedab
__. Hey, MB, the new ones are much more reliable than the originals but
they're still carrying a lot of load (electrically). What would be best would be
for you to get two (they're reasonably inexpensive) and have somebody show
you how to replace the one that's in there now and keep the extra in your
glove box. Then, if you ever need to use the second one, you'll have it and
you'll know how to do it.

__. It's a really easy job - you ought to know how; you only have to remove
two parts, one by hand and one by using a "T-20" -- a kind of "star bit"
screwdriver*. Once you have those two parts off (see the first post above
and click the red link "See this HOW TO.", follow steps 43-46), you just pull
the old 109 out and push the new one in. The new one will only go in one
way - the right way. (Oh, yes, your car is what VW calls an "A4" body-model
so don't get confused with the A3 instructions.)
(* You can get an inexpensive set of "T-Drivers" [a store clerk might call
them Torx-drivers] at most auto-parts stores and "big box" places like da
Wahmott and Tar-jay. You are likely to need them in the future and you'll be
glad to have them. Just be sure that the set you get includes a T-20 -- it's
commonly used anyway.)

__. And since the symptom of the "glow plug" light not coming on is such a
tipoff, you'll know when it (if) it ever needs to be replaced again. Think of a
spare 109 like a spare tire -- you hope you'll never need it but you'll be glad
to have it if you do.
__________________
MrG, Wallace NC (2002 Jetta, Totalled by drunk, 11/'06; 130K mi in 4 1/2
years/~57 MPG lifetime); New car, '03 Jetta Wagon, CAT filter, .681 top gear,
350K mi. in 11 1/2 yr, ~52.
Last edited by mrGutWrench; August 5th, 2008 at 12:15.

August 7th, 2008, 08:26 #8

maria_beetle
Newbie
Thank you everyone! It's been two days and this seems to have fixed my
Join Date: Aug 2008 problem.
Location: Festus, Missouri
TDI(s): 2000 Beetle Maria

August 10th, 2008, 09:03 #9

TornadoRed
Veteran Member
Quote:

Join Date: Aug 2003
Location: Saint Paul (ex-San
Diego)
TDI(s): 2003 Golf GL 5-spd,
red; 2003 Golf GLS 5-spd,
indigo blue; 2003 Jetta TDI
wagon, Candy White
August 12th, 2008, 10:44
coner
Member
Join Date: Sep 2004
Location: Ancaster, Ontario
TDI(s): 2004 Jetta Reflex
Silver
August 12th, 2008, 14:13
JB05
Veteran Member
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: Il.USA
TDI(s): Golf,2005,anthracite
blue
Fuel Economy: 43/41/40
Originally Posted by maria_beetle
Thank you everyone! It's been two days and this seems to have fixed
my problem.
Maria
Welcome to TDI Club, Maria.
You folks in Missouri have a handful of top TDI pros (Oilhammer in the StL
area, GT aka Glen Temple over by KC, Franko6 down by Joplin).
Maybe update your profile to show what part of the state you're in. And take
the time to read as much as you can about your TDI, it will save you lots of
worries and money in the future.
__________________
'03 Golf with 795k miles: Bosio DLC 764, GT1749VB, PP 2.5" downpipe,
Malone tuning, VR6/G60 clutch/flywheel, Bilstein HDs, Recaros, Akebono
pads/Brembo rotors, Cat fuel filter with Nicktane head, DG Panzer w/FMJ,
Blizzaks, Delvac1
Become a TDI Club Contributor.
http://forums.tdiclub.com/payments.php
#10
Can Relay 109 test ok but still be faulty?
About 3 weeks ago I had the car into the dealership for a no start (stalling)
problem. http://forums.tdiclub.com/showthread.php?t=219890
The dealership replaced the 109 relay and said it was fixed. Fast forward 3
weeks later and now the car won't start!
When I turn the key to the run position I see all the dash lights illuminate
except the glow plug light. I donesn't come on at all. After searching the
forum I find this to be a typical sysmptom of a relay 109 failure.
I removed all the panels and got to the relay/fuse center. I removed the 109
and tested it by jumping the proper terminals. With no power applied, there
is no circuit. With 12V power applied, the circuit is completed.
With the keys out of the ignition, I put the relay back into the holder and
hear a click - as if the relay is closing. Is this normal (i.e should the relay
complete the circuit as soon as I push it back in)?
Second question, even though the relay bench tested ok, is it possible it is
still faulty?
My car is stick in my work parking lot which is a $200 tow from the
dealership. They say to bring it in and they look at it and if the newly
replaced relay (3 weeks old) is faulty they will replace it at no cost. Although
it is still going to cost me the $200 tow to get it back there!
Any suggestions?
Thanks.
Eric
#11
Stay away from the dealer and find a guru in your location where ever that
may be.
 August 12th, 2008, 17:42
TornadoRed
Veteran Member
Join Date: Aug 2003
Location: Saint Paul (ex-San
Diego)
TDI(s): 2003 Golf GL 5-spd,
red; 2003 Golf GLS 5-spd,
indigo blue; 2003 Jetta TDI
wagon, Candy White
August 14th, 2008, 14:04
beetle98
Veteran Member
Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: Asheville, NC
TDI(s): 99 Beetle TDi
August 14th, 2008, 14:41
DanG144
Veteran Member
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: Chapin, South
Carolina, USA
TDI(s): 2005 A4 Jetta 5spd
August 14th, 2008, 14:47
rdkern
Veteran Member
Join Date: May 2004
Location: Humboldt Co CA
TDI(s): Passat 1997 silver
(sold after 11 years), Jetta
2000 atlantic blue
Fuel Economy: A4 = wife
drives it, don't know
#12
Quote:
Originally Posted by coner
Second question, even though the relay bench tested ok, is it
possible it is still faulty?
My car is stick in my work parking lot which is a $200 tow from the
dealership. They say to bring it in and they look at it and if the newly
replaced relay (3 weeks old) is faulty they will replace it at no cost.
Although it is still going to cost me the $200 tow to get it back there!
Any suggestions?
Considering that a Relay 109 is a $10 part online or $15 at a parts store or
dealership, I would try replacing it again before calling a towtruck.
__________________
'03 Golf with 795k miles: Bosio DLC 764, GT1749VB, PP 2.5" downpipe,
Malone tuning, VR6/G60 clutch/flywheel, Bilstein HDs, Recaros, Akebono
pads/Brembo rotors, Cat fuel filter with Nicktane head, DG Panzer w/FMJ,
Blizzaks, Delvac1
Become a TDI Club Contributor.
http://forums.tdiclub.com/payments.php
#13
So What next? My car has recently died a few times like key was turned off it
started back. I have had a few starts where no glow plug light then
eventually it would come on car would start and run fine. Now No glowplug
light and no start. So i see this thread and replace the 109 relay with new
relay from VW. One in car was already an upgraded relay i noticed. New relay
same problem no start what do i try next? just a note I have a aux. fuel
pump and normally when i turn key you can hear it come on for a few
seconds then shut off until car is started. Now it comes on and just keeps
running and no start.
#14
beetle,
Why don't you post a new thread in the SouthEast section? Then come back
here and post your new thread link. I am sure the guys around here can help
you.
DanG
#15
Quote:
Originally Posted by beetle98
So What next? My car has recently died a few times like key was
turned off it started back. I have had a few starts where no glow plug
light then eventually it would come on car would start and run fine.
Now No glowplug light and no start. So i see this thread and replace
the 109 relay with new relay from VW. One in car was already an
upgraded relay i noticed. New relay same problem no start what do i
try next? just a note I have a aux. fuel pump and normally when i
turn key you can hear it come on for a few seconds then shut off
 until car is started. Now it comes on and just keeps running and no
start.

My guess? Grounds. Assuming one of the relay 109's is good, and this
happens no matter which is in, a bad ground could cause the power not to
get to the ecu. I don't know how your lift pump is wired - could be grounded
differently.

I'd clean the grounds and see if it helps. If nothing else, it'll get you in the
engine compartment, looking for loose wires.
__________________
Whitedog's in progress no-start link.
http://forums.tdiclub.com/showthread.php?t=199398
Read all about it!

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