What it means
The cylinder 11 glow plug control circuit voltage is below the expected range. The cause may be the plug, its wiring or connections, or the control circuit.
At a glance
- Usually lights the check-engine light
- Affects emissions; the car can fail an emissions test
How it works
The engine controller monitors the control circuit for the cylinder 11 glow plug while the diesel preheating system operates. P06E0 sets when that circuit's voltage is lower than expected, commonly because the cylinder 11 control line is shorted to ground or has a poor connection.
Common causes
Most likely first.
- Control line shorted to ground
- Connector pins corroded - high contact resistance
- Harness chafing through insulation
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
- Capture freeze-frame data and check for other glow plug codes to determine whether the fault is limited to cylinder 11.
- Locate cylinder 11 using the vehicle's cylinder identification information, then inspect its glow plug connector and harness for chafing, exposed wire, or corrosion.
- Check the cylinder 11 connector for pushed-back or corroded pins and make sure it is fully seated.
- Test the cylinder 11 control wire for a short to ground and check circuit continuity using the manufacturer's procedure.
- If wiring and connections pass, test the cylinder 11 glow plug and its control output according to the manufacturer's specification.
Common fixes
- Clean and secure the cylinder 11 glow plug connector.
- Repair insulation damage or a control wire short to ground in the cylinder 11 harness.
- Repair corroded or loose terminals in the cylinder 11 circuit.
- Replace the cylinder 11 glow plug or repair its control circuit if testing identifies the failed part.
Can I keep driving?
The vehicle may run normally once warm, but cold starts can be difficult and may produce white smoke; avoid depending on it for cold-weather trips until checked. Continued misfiring during warm-up can worsen running quality and emissions.
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.