Powertrain, generic (extended)

P263C Glow Plug Control Driver Performance

Check engine lightOn
EmissionsRelevant
Drive cycleNot required
Limp modeNo

Modern diesel glow systems switch each plug through a semiconductor driver inside a glow plug control module (GPCM). P263C reports that such a driver does not behave as commanded. Ford's 6.7 L and 3.0 L Power Stroke GPCM talks to the engine module over a private CAN bus and flags any internal output, whether it serves the plugs, the DEF heaters or a relay, that fails to switch or overheats for more than 1 s; Ford's 2013 summary prints the code with a typo as P26C3. GM's 6.6 L L5P files comparable driver faults under P064C instead. Separate codes exist for the module as a whole (P064C, P06E5), its overheating (P263E) and open plugs (P0671 ff.). CARB counts all glow plugs as one monitored component. Expect slow cold starts and white smoke.

Likely causes

Output stage inside the glow plug control module failed
Glow plug or plug wire with short, overloading the driver
Poor GPCM power feed or ground causing erratic switching

Symptoms

  • Check engine light, glow indicator may flash
  • Hard or long cranking when cold
  • White smoke and rough running after a cold start

Repair estimate

DifficultyMediumWorkshop job
Parts and labour€100–900
Time0.5–3 h

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

Parts involved

glow plug control moduleglow plugs

Related codes

P064CP06E5P263EP0671P0381

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