Urgency: Low

Glow Plug Light (Diesel)

This is usually informational. Address it at your convenience.

What the Glow Plug Light (Diesel) Means

The glow-plug light on your diesel your car 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.

Common Causes

  • 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 It

  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

Related DTC Codes

CodeMeaning
P0335Crankshaft Position Sensor Circuit
The crankshaft position sensor signal is faulty, which can cause stalling or a no-start condition.