P0381: Glow plug indicator light circuit fault
Fault in the dashboard glow plug warning light circuit. The car runs as normal, but the light no longer shows properly when it is ready to start.
| Code | P0381 |
|---|---|
| System | Engine and transmission |
| Group | P03xx, Ignition and misfires |
| Type | Generic: it means the same on every make |
| Can you keep driving? | Yes, no rush |
What P0381 means
On diesels, the coil-shaped light on the dashboard comes on with the ignition and goes out when the glow plugs are ready for starting. This code means the ECU has found a fault in the circuit that switches that light, not in the glow plugs themselves. Some manufacturers also use this light to warn of other engine faults.
Most common causes
- Poor contact at the instrument cluster or wiring connector
- Warning light wire broken or shorted to earth
- Blown bulb or LED
- Instrument cluster fault
- ECU or glow plug control unit fault
Symptoms
- Glow plug light does not come on with the ignition
- Light stays on all the time
- Engine warning light on
- No change in how the car drives
Can you drive with P0381?
Yes, no rush You can drive normally. When cold, wait a few seconds with the ignition on before starting, as the light will not tell you reliably.
Open the bonnetthe in-depth explanation
How to check it
Turn the ignition on without starting and see whether the coil light comes on for a few seconds: if it never lights up, tell the garage, as that points to the light or its wiring rather than the glow plugs.
How to read and clear P0381 with Final OBD
Plug an OBD2 scanner in under the steering wheel, switch the ignition on and open Final OBD. Under Faults you’ll see P0381 with its description and whether it’s confirmed, pending or permanent.
If the engine stores it over standard OBD, with FREE you read this code with its explanation for nothing and clear it. With PRO you also read the faults of every control unit and clear them in all of them.
Clearing the code only turns the light off: if the cause is still there, it comes back. Clear it once it’s fixed, and not right before an inspection. It’s all in how to read and clear fault codes and in inspections and OBD.
Similar codes
- P037D The glow plug detection has an electrical fault
- P037E The glow plug detection gives a lower signal than normal
- P037F The glow plug detection gives a higher signal than normal
- P0380 Glow plug circuit A fault
- P0382 Glow plug circuit B malfunction
- P0383 The glow plug control unit 1 control gives a lower signal than normal
- P0384 The glow plug control unit 1 control gives a higher signal than normal
- P0385 The crankshaft position sensor B has an electrical fault
- P0300 Random or multiple cylinder misfire
- P0301 Misfire detected in cylinder 1
- P0302 Misfire detected in cylinder 2
- P0303 Misfire detected in cylinder 3
What does code P0381 mean?
On diesels, the coil-shaped light on the dashboard comes on with the ignition and goes out when the glow plugs are ready for starting. This code means the ECU has found a fault in the circuit that switches that light, not in the glow plugs themselves. Some manufacturers also use this light to warn of other engine faults.
Can you drive with P0381?
You can drive normally. When cold, wait a few seconds with the ignition on before starting, as the light will not tell you reliably.
How do you clear P0381?
With an OBD2 scanner and an app like Final OBD, which clears it for free if it’s stored by the engine control unit. But clearing it only turns the light off: if the cause isn’t fixed, P0381 comes back.
Read it on your car
Final OBD reads and clears engine faults through standard OBD for free, each one explained in plain English. With PRO it also reads the faults of every control unit, each make’s own codes included, and clears them in all of them.
