P0380: a fault in the glow plug circuit
One or more glow plugs, or the circuit that controls them, is not responding as expected. You notice it as hard starting on cold mornings and rough running for the first few minutes.
Can you keep driving?
Yes, but starting gets worse with every cold morning.
What the code means
Glow plugs warm the combustion chamber so diesel will ignite in the cold. If the circuit is faulty, that help disappears exactly when it is needed most.
Common causes
- One or more failed glow plugs
- A faulty relay or control module
- A break in the wiring harness
What to do now
- Note whether it is worse on cold mornings than mild ones.
- Ask for all the plugs to be measured, not just the one the code names.
- Have it done before the cold arrives, not after.
What people often get wrong
Putting it off because the car starts fine in September. The code makes itself felt in January, when workshops are also at their busiest.
When the car must go to a workshop
In summer it is barely noticeable. In winter it is the first thing you notice, so it is worth doing before the cold arrives, not after.
Read next
- P2002: the particulate filter is not cleaning properly
- P0128: the thermostat is stuck open
- P0300: misfire on more than one cylinder
This page is general information and does not replace a professional assessment. Symbols, codes and behaviour vary between makes. Always check the handbook for your own car.
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