What it means
The control module has detected an incorrect condition in the cylinder 3 glow plug circuit. The code does not by itself establish that the wrong plug type was fitted.
At a glance
- Usually lights the check-engine light
- Affects emissions; the car can fail an emissions test
How it works
The cylinder 3 glow plug heats the cylinder to aid ignition and cleaner running during cold starts. The control module monitors the cylinder 3 glow plug circuit and sets this code when it detects an incorrect electrical response; the code alone does not confirm an incorrectly selected plug.
Common causes
Most likely first.
- Faulty glow plug
- Damaged or corroded wiring or connector
- Glow plug control circuit fault
Symptoms
- Glow plug warning light on (often orange coil symbol)
- Hard cold start or no start in cold weather
- White smoke from exhaust during warm-up
How to diagnose it
- Review freeze-frame and glow plug live data to determine when the cylinder 3 fault occurred and compare its response with other cylinders.
- Inspect the cylinder 3 glow plug connector and harness for corrosion, looseness, damaged insulation, or overheating.
- Test the cylinder 3 glow plug by the manufacturer's procedure and compare the result with the manufacturer's specification.
- Check that the fitted cylinder 3 plug is the specified type, then test wiring and connections for continuity using the wiring diagram.
- If the plug and wiring pass, test the glow plug controller's cylinder 3 output and control circuit.
Common fixes
- Clean and reconnect the cylinder 3 glow plug terminal.
- Repair damaged insulation, wiring, or corroded connections in the cylinder 3 circuit.
- Replace a failed or incorrect cylinder 3 glow plug with the specified type.
- Repair the control circuit or glow plug controller if its cylinder 3 output fails testing.
Can I keep driving?
If it starts and runs smoothly, you may be able to drive, but cold starts can become harder and warm-up smoke may increase. Stop repeated cranking if the engine will not start, and address the fault before cold weather makes starting less dependable.
A code shows where the control module detected a fault, not always which part failed. Check the causes in order and confirm with a test before replacing parts. Have several codes? Check them together
This is a generic code: it means the same on every make. The car’s maker may add more detail in its own service information.