Glow Plug Light (Diesel) on a Volvo V60
This is usually informational. Address it at your convenience.
What the Glow Plug Light (Diesel) Means on a Volvo V60
The glow-plug light on your diesel Volvo V60 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)?
In terms of priority, treat this as a low concern on your Volvo V60. The single most useful thing you can observe is whether the Glow Plug Light (Diesel) is steady or blinking: a steady light generally allows a careful drive to a safe location or a workshop, whereas a flashing light signals an active fault that can cause damage if you continue. Pay attention to changes in how the Volvo V60 drives, sounds, or smells, since those symptoms sharpen the diagnosis considerably.
Common Symptoms Alongside the Glow Plug Light (Diesel)
Alongside the Glow Plug Light (Diesel), Volvo V60 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 Volvo V60 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?
There is rarely a single universal reason the Glow Plug Light (Diesel) appears on a Volvo V60; instead there is a shortlist of usual suspects. Root causes range from simple, inexpensive items to genuine component failures, which is why a proper diagnosis always beats guessing. Understanding the common triggers on the Volvo V60 helps you have a more informed conversation with your mechanic and avoid paying for parts you do not need.
- 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 Volvo V60
The right way to clear the Glow Plug Light (Diesel) on a Volvo V60 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.
- At cold start, wait for the light to go out before cranking
- If it flashes, scan for glow-plug and engine codes
- Test each glow plug for resistance/continuity
- Replace failed plugs (ideally as a set) and check the relay
- Clear codes and confirm easy cold starts
Is It Safe to Drive With the Glow Plug Light (Diesel) On?
Drivers ask this constantly, and the answer for the Volvo V60 is nuanced. A steady amber Glow Plug Light (Diesel) with no change in how the car drives usually means you can continue carefully and get it looked at soon. A red or flashing Glow Plug Light (Diesel), unusual noises, warning messages, or a drop in performance are your cue to stop the Volvo V60 safely and avoid further driving until the cause is known.
Diagnostic Trouble Codes Linked to the Glow Plug Light (Diesel)
If you scan a Volvo V60 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.
| Code | Meaning |
|---|---|
P0335 |
Crankshaft Position Sensor Circuit The crankshaft position sensor signal is faulty, which can cause stalling or a no-start condition. |
Professional Mechanic Tips
Do not ignore a flashing glow light; on many diesels it doubles as a general engine fault warning, so scan it rather than guessing.
Hard cold starts plus a flashing glow-plug light on a diesel Volvo V60 usually means one or more plugs have failed — replace them as a set for even starting.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is the Glow Plug Light (Diesel) on in my Volvo V60?
Your Volvo V60 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 Volvo V60 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 Volvo V60?
There is no single price for the Glow Plug Light (Diesel) on a Volvo V60; it ranges from a no-cost adjustment to a component replacement. The honest way to control cost is to diagnose the exact code before authorising any repair, so you only pay to fix what is actually wrong.
Will the Glow Plug Light (Diesel) reset itself on a Volvo V60?
If the trigger was temporary, a Volvo V60 may turn the Glow Plug Light (Diesel) off automatically after a few drive cycles. If it remains lit, the vehicle is telling you the fault is still present, and the symbol will only go out for good once the cause is fixed.