No acceleration We have had the same issues with glow plugs. However, these have been fixed time and time again. Now we cannot get the car to go over forty. It has no acceleration. I don't believe that it is the injection pump, not getting, heavy smoke. Need some help great car and need to get it back up and running.

Major sensor issues. Check the diagnostic codes. They should tell you the fixes needed

Hello kbmind, A number of different glow plug systems were used on the Landcruiser, depending where it was made and what country it was shipped to. However, they all serve the same purpose on a diesel injection. To preheat the combustion chambers. If your light is on when you deaccelerate the control module thinks the cylinder is cooling down & fires up the glow plug. This usually indicates the glow plug relay is weak and/or the glow plugs themself are worn.
Depending on your mileage, i would say it's the relay. The glow plugs can be tested with an ohm meter to determine if they need to be replaced. I hope this helps.

I have a 2005 1hz landcruiser, the "glow Plug Light" comes on when I release the accelerator pedal and then goes "off" when I accelerate - any ideas - thanks

3-4 years is a long time to run on glow plugs, reason why smokes so bad is you have all that raw fuel from trying to start. Glow plugs have failed, it only takes a few to screw up. but check power to plugs for proper ampherage

The acceleration problem could be very dangerous as you may know. There could be several reasons for this, and to post any fix would be haphazard and irresponsible on my behalf so I will not post a potential fix/solution. It needs to be checked immediately by an expert, again this is very very dangerous do not drive the car if the accelerator sticks.

The shaking, has the car been tuned up? Plugs, wires, etc...is there a check engine light ? Start there.

If the engine is NOT running correctly, it is very possible that the torque converter slip speed could cause a hard bump when you put it into gear, again, this goes back to the shaking issue/engine performance.

GET THE "keeps accelerating after I let go of the gas" ISSUE FIXED BEFORE YOU DRIVE THE CAR. Again get it fixed by an expert. This is not something that can be solved or diagnosed without actually looking at it....

You say that you checked the glow-plugs and that they are good.
How about power to the glow-plugs when cold.Is it getting 12v to the glow-plugs when you turn the key on for glow-plugs? You need to check that and if like I suspect it is not. check the temperature sensor--
Also if there is a short in any one of those glow- plugs it will not let the solenoid engerize the glow-plugs.

When was the last time you had your timing belt replaced. Did you do it yourself.

I had mine changed last year and I have known for an entire year that the timing was off slightly. The check engine light WOULD NOT turn off not matter what I did and it kept reading a bad glow plug.

I finally fixed the timing (the camshaft sprocket was off only one tooth) this past Sunday and the check engine light finally turned off all by itself!

Not sure if this fixes your issue, but, it fixed mine.

By the way, if you need the tool kit for fixing your TDI's timing, by it from dieselvw.com. This guy sells a 3 piece kit for $49 where other websites sell a two piece kit for $125 or MORE! I used the kit and it worked flawlessly and the extra piece (the tensioner wrench was handy!).

Despite what you may read from other comments....The glow plug light is simple a multi function warning light and IS among many othed things in fact used to warn of brake light and brake light switch failure. Therefore it can NOT be treated as glow plug problems only.
I have worked on V.W for many years and have encountered this problem many times. You should get the OBD codes read. This will reveal the exact problem...and there may be more than one
You can contact your V,W agents if you wish and check to see if I am correct.
Best of luck
John