I had a problem with my 1998 VW Sharan 1.9 Tdi not starting. The glow plug symbol also would not come on. After much research trying to find the location of the glow plug relay which I never did find something else occurred to me.
I checked the oil. We had machinery on site that would not start if the oil was low as a protection feature. The oil in my Sharan did not register on the dip stick. I found a litre in my garage and and that made it register on the dip stick but show it as very low. The glow plug light came on and it started on the button. Still kicking myself now for the wasted Sunday trying to find the relay..
Hendrix Hopmonster, May 2012