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P0380 fault code: what it means

P0380: Glow plug / heater circuit A fault on a diesel. Hard cold starts, more smoke when cold.

Engine and gearbox (powertrain) · Minor

Usual causes, most likely first

  1. failed glow plug relay or control module
  2. one or more failed glow plugs
  3. corroded or broken glow plug wiring
  4. blown glow plug fuse

P0380 by make

Audi

Glow plug / heater circuit fault. No pre-glow and hard cold starting.

Usual causes: failed glow plug; glow plug wiring or connector

Ford

Glow plug circuit fault: one or more glow plugs or the circuit has failed, giving hard cold starts and white smoke.

Usual causes: burnt-out glow plug; glow plug wiring; glow plug control module

GWM

Glow plug circuit fault.

Usual causes: failed glow plug(s); glow plug relay/controller; wiring

Isuzu

Glow plug circuit fault. Hard cold starts and white smoke.

Usual causes: failed glow plug(s); glow plug relay or controller; wiring

LDV

Glow plug circuit fault.

Usual causes: failed glow plug(s); glow plug relay/controller; wiring

Mercedes-Benz

Glow plug circuit fault. Glow plugs on Mercedes diesels can seize in the head and snap on removal.

Usual causes: failed glow plug; faulty glow plug control module; wiring fault

Mitsubishi

Glow plug circuit fault (diesel). Hard starting when cold, white smoke.

Usual causes: burnt-out glow plug; glow plug relay or controller fault; wiring or bus bar fault

Skoda

Glow plug / heater circuit fault. No pre-glow and hard cold starting.

Usual causes: failed glow plug; glow plug wiring or connector

Volkswagen

Glow plug / heater circuit fault. No pre-glow and hard cold starting.

Usual causes: failed glow plug; glow plug wiring or connector

Volvo

Glow plug circuit fault. Hard cold starts and smoke.

Usual causes: failed glow plug(s); glow plug control module; wiring

What the repair usually costs

Not sure what P0380 means on your car? Ask Credov.

Before you clear it

Write the code down or photograph the scanner first. A code that comes straight back after clearing points to a fault that is still there. A car whose codes were cleared just before you arrived may be hiding one: the scanner's readiness monitors show "not ready" for a while after codes are cleared.

Researched by Credov from manufacturer and workshop sources. A fault code points to where a fault may be; a workshop confirms it with a diagnosis. Browse all fault codes.