I have an emission workshop warning. For no reasons at all glow plug, engine,oil, and abs lights all come on ( after driving 20 minutes) once it shut off and I had a hard time turning the engine over. Ive read many different opinions on this....break light switch and "intake manifold flap" can cause this. Whats the deal. Is this going to kill my engine if I dont get it fixed right away?

no info generic answer depending on vehicle p1773 has different meanings C2116 is an abs fault your test sheet will show reason for failure A I M is safety also look at sheet and or notify them as to reason your unknown vehicle failed

Brake Light. Make sure you are not driving with hand brake on. Check brake-fluid level. Top off brake fluid if low and make appointment to check brakes. Driving with brake light can be dangerous; deal with this soon. Call tow truck or drive carefully and slowly to shop.
ABS (antilock brake system) Light. Indicates either low brake-fluid level, stuck brake caliper or faulty ABS. Check brake fluid and make appointment to get brakes checked. Call tow truck or drive carefully and slowly to shop.
Oil Light. Either engine is very low on oil or there is no oil pressure. Pull over and turn off engine immediately. Check oil level and add oil if low. Turn engine back on to see if light has gone off. If oil light is still on, bad oil pump (no oil pressure) is likely. Call tow truck.
Check Engine Light. Car's computer senses engine problem. Difference in performance may not be noticeable, but make appointment to have car diagnosed. This usually cost around $65-$75 to do. OK to drive. If problem is serious, computer may switch to limp-home (low-power) mode and you won't have option of waiting to bring car into shop.
Air Bag Light. Get air bags checked. Problem could prevent them from activating in accident. OK to drive, but not safe in accident.
Battery Charge Light. Alternator is not charging. OK to drive, but turn off any unneeded electrical devices (radio, heater, defroster) and avoid starting engine more than necessary. Bring car into shop soon to avoid getting stranded. When alternator is not charging, battery loses charge and car stops working.
Emissions Lights (O2 sensor, EGR, check emissions). Depending on car model, these lights may indicate problem with emissions sensor or may light up at certain mileage, usually 60,000 miles (100,000 km). Get sensors checked. OK to drive. If problem exists, car might get poor gas mileage.
OBD Tools 365 Days Shop

To resolve the issue, tighten the gas cap or replace it, and then disconnect the battery. Let it sit for 5 to 10 minutes and then reconnect it. If not solved, then there can be a variety of reasons why these lights illuminate i.e. the fuel injector may need to be replaced. We suggest you drive down to a repair shop and ask them to run diagnostics with a code reader.

Check & replace if necessary the brake pedal switch placed above pedals on the support.
If the problem still occurs you might access the ESP & ABS ECU (Electronic Control Unit) using diagnostic equipment connected to the data link connector of the car, in order to pull out all DTC (Diagnostic Trouble Codes) memored.
Then you will be able to replace bad piece(s) and fix the problem by erasing all DTC stocked inside ESP & ABS ECU & reset it.
I'm convinced that your brake pedal switch is faulty because the glow plug warning light went ON, along with the ESP & ABS. Just replace the brake pedal switch, see if rear stop lamps light when press the brake pedal, and test the car on the road.

You need the codes pulled form the vehicles ECU with a scanner. The TDI engine does not do this when running correctly.

There are a number of reasons I can think of why this might happen, some being, Glow Plug/s failure, injection pump problem, such as temperature sensor failed, fuel system air leaks and alternator charging problems..

The alternator has a one way drive pulley that fails often causing unstable idle and belt noise..

Low power indicates the engine is in limp mode needing attention.

Find a garage with a scanner for this VW and allow them to check the vehicle.

If light is on at start up its usually a glow plug gone .Won't make any differance to driving. You should get a diagnostic scan done which will tell you which plug is at fault.

have the alternator replaced and when you do this also replace the drive belt

most of the new cars with such computer system to control the engine and other functions , such as brakes, anti-freeze level, that why the light on and tell you that you should watch out certain things, you still can drive the car, but you have to go to the dealer and let them check you car and reset the computer system and then all the light will be off.

Check to see are your brake light working! if not you have a faulty brake light switch - 10 min repair job at your local VW service centre. With no brake lights you'll need to get it seen to ASAP!!