Powertrain, generic · Computer and auxiliary outputs

P06E3 Cylinder 12 Glow Plug Control Circuit High

Check engine lightOn
EmissionsRelevant
Drive cycleRequired
Limp modeNo

Diesel glow systems switch each plug through its own power semiconductor and switch off a faulty channel; CARB requires single-plug detection from model year 2010. P06E3 means the circuit to the cylinder 12 glow plug is shorted to positive: voltage is present although the driver is off, or no current flows when it is on. For cylinders 1–8, GM's engine-module drivers flag a short to positive below 0.5 Ω after two trips, and Ford's 2023 Power Stroke 0 A while commanded for about 1 s. The plug may glow permanently and fail early; the other plugs keep working. Wiring shorted to supply or a failed driver are the usual causes. No manufacturer document available to us uses this code – it needs at least 12 cylinders, and the only US OBD II diesel above eight, VW's Touareg V10 TDI, has ten; the description follows cylinders 1–8.

Likely causes

Plug wire shorted to supply in the harness
Driver stage in the glow module shorted (permanently on)
Moisture or corrosion bridging to a supply pin
Glow module software

Symptoms

  • Check engine light (GM: also glow plug lamp)
  • Harder cold start in frost
  • Rough cold idle, white smoke after cold start
  • Plug may glow permanently and fail early

Repair estimate

DifficultyMediumDIY possible
Parts and labour€80–800
Time1–4 h

Typical range across vehicles; the real cost depends on what the testing finds.

Parts involved

glow plugglow plug wiringglow plug control module

Related codes

P06E2P0682P06C4P06D0P06F5

References: law.cornell.edu, fordservicecontent.com, gsi.ext.gm.com, static.nhtsa.gov.