What it means
The control module has detected an incorrect condition in the cylinder 10 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 10 glow plug heats its combustion chamber to aid diesel starting and combustion while the engine is cold. The control module checks the cylinder 10 glow plug circuit and sets this code when its electrical response is incorrect; this does not alone identify a wrong plug type.
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 data and scan for other glow-plug faults to see whether the cylinder 10 code is isolated or part of a wider issue.
- Inspect the cylinder 10 glow plug connector and harness for corrosion, looseness, melted insulation, or chafing.
- Compare the cylinder 10 plug's resistance or current draw with the manufacturer's specification and readings for other cylinders.
- Check the cylinder 10 circuit for an open or short between the plug and control circuit using the wiring diagram.
- If the plug and wiring test correctly, verify the control circuit output according to the manufacturer's procedure.
Common fixes
- Clean and firmly reconnect the cylinder 10 glow plug connector.
- Repair damaged or corroded cylinder 10 wiring.
- Replace the cylinder 10 glow plug if it fails its specified test.
- Repair the glow-plug control circuit if testing confirms an output or wiring fault.
Can I keep driving?
If the engine starts and runs normally, cautious driving may be possible, but cold starts can become harder and white smoke may appear during warm-up. Avoid extended cranking if starting fails, because it can drain the battery and overheat the starter.
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.