Urgency: Low

Glow Plug Light (Diesel) on a Abarth 595

This is usually informational. Address it at your convenience.

What the Glow Plug Light (Diesel) Means on a Abarth 595

The glow-plug light on your diesel Abarth 595 is your cue to wait a couple of seconds before starting in cold weather. A flashing light after the engine is running, however, indicates a fault the ECU wants checked.

How Urgent Is the Glow Plug Light (Diesel)?

How worried should you be? For the Glow Plug Light (Diesel) on a Abarth 595, the urgency is low. A good rule technicians rely on is 'colour plus behaviour': match the warning colour against how the car is actually performing. If the Abarth 595 still drives normally and the light is steady, you usually have time to plan a proper diagnosis; if performance drops or the light flashes, err on the side of caution and stop safely.

Common Symptoms Alongside the Glow Plug Light (Diesel)

Alongside the Glow Plug Light (Diesel), Abarth 595 owners commonly report a handful of related signs. Some are obvious, others easy to miss until you pay attention. Keeping a short mental (or written) log of what the Abarth 595 does when the light is on gives whoever performs the repair a huge head start and can save you money on diagnostic time.

  • Light on briefly at cold start (normal)
  • Flashing light after warm-up (fault)
  • Hard starting when cold
  • Rough running or white smoke on cold mornings

What Causes the Glow Plug Light (Diesel) to Come On?

The Glow Plug Light (Diesel) on the Abarth 595 can be triggered by several conditions, and experienced technicians work through them from most to least likely. Some causes are trivial and cost almost nothing to correct, while others require replacing a sensor or component. The list below reflects what actually turns this light on in the real world, so you can gauge whether you are likely facing a quick fix or a workshop visit.

  • Normal pre-heat cycle (steady, brief)
  • One or more failed glow plugs
  • Glow plug relay fault
  • Crankshaft/camshaft sensor issue
  • Related engine management fault

How to Fix the Glow Plug Light (Diesel) on a Abarth 595

The right way to clear the Glow Plug Light (Diesel) on a Abarth 595 is to fix the underlying cause, not just reset the symbol. Work through the steps below in order — they move from the simplest checks any driver can do to the diagnostic work best left to a scan tool. Following this sequence prevents the classic mistake of replacing expensive parts before ruling out the cheap, common problems first.

  1. At cold start, wait for the light to go out before cranking
  2. If it flashes, scan for glow-plug and engine codes
  3. Test each glow plug for resistance/continuity
  4. Replace failed plugs (ideally as a set) and check the relay
  5. Clear codes and confirm easy cold starts

Is It Safe to Drive With the Glow Plug Light (Diesel) On?

Safe-to-drive depends on judgement, and here is the technician's version for a Abarth 595: respect the colour, respect the behaviour. Given this light's low urgency, treat any red or flashing warning as a stop-now signal. If everything feels normal and the light is amber, a short, cautious drive to a garage is typically fine, provided you do not delay the actual diagnosis.

Diagnostic Trouble Codes Linked to the Glow Plug Light (Diesel)

If you scan a Abarth 595 showing this light, these are the OBD-II trouble codes most commonly associated with it. The code you actually retrieve is what pinpoints the repair.

CodeMeaning
P0335 Crankshaft Position Sensor Circuit
The crankshaft position sensor signal is faulty, which can cause stalling or a no-start condition.

Professional Mechanic Tips

Field notes from Marcus Vale, ASE-Certified Master Technician
Hard cold starts plus a flashing glow-plug light on a diesel Abarth 595 usually means one or more plugs have failed — replace them as a set for even starting.
Do not ignore a flashing glow light; on many diesels it doubles as a general engine fault warning, so scan it rather than guessing.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why is the Glow Plug Light (Diesel) on in my Abarth 595?

Your Abarth 595 turned on the Glow Plug Light (Diesel) after its self-diagnostics flagged an issue in that system. Because several different faults can trigger the same symbol, the smart first move is an OBD-II scan to pull the specific code before you spend any money.

Can I keep driving with the Glow Plug Light (Diesel) on?

It depends on the urgency (low) and how your Abarth 595 is behaving. If the light is red or flashing, or the car drives differently, stop safely and get help. If it is amber and everything feels normal, you can usually drive to a workshop soon — just do not put off the diagnosis.

How much does it cost to fix the Glow Plug Light (Diesel) on a Abarth 595?

Cost varies widely because the Glow Plug Light (Diesel) can stem from several causes on a Abarth 595. Some fixes are almost free — tightening a cap or a connector — while others involve a sensor or component and its labour. Getting the specific trouble code first is what lets a shop quote accurately instead of estimating blind.

Will the Glow Plug Light (Diesel) reset itself on a Abarth 595?

Occasionally, yes — a Abarth 595 can extinguish the Glow Plug Light (Diesel) by itself when the monitored value returns to normal. But a light that keeps coming back is a clear sign of an unresolved issue that needs a proper diagnosis rather than repeated resets.