P0673: Cylinder 3 glow plug: circuit fault
The ECU has detected a fault in the cylinder 3 glow plug of a diesel engine or its wiring, most often a glow plug that has burnt out.
| Code | P0673 |
|---|---|
| System | Engine and transmission |
| Group | P06xx, Control unit and auxiliary outputs |
| Type | Generic: it means the same on every make |
| Can you keep driving? | Yes, no rush |
What P0673 means
Each cylinder in a diesel has a glow plug that heats up red-hot for a few seconds to help cold starting. The ECU or glow plug module monitors how much current each one draws. This code means the plug in cylinder 3 is not drawing what it should, nearly always because it has burnt out or is not getting power.
Most common causes
- Burnt-out glow plug in cylinder 3
- Loose, corroded or burnt glow plug connector
- Broken or chafed wire to glow plug 3
- Glow plug module fault on that output
Symptoms
- Slightly slower starting from cold
- White smoke or rough running for the first few seconds
- Engine or glow plug warning light on
Can you drive with P0673?
Yes, no rush You can carry on driving normally: with one glow plug out the engine usually still starts, just a little slower when cold. It can be fixed without rushing.
Open the bonnetthe in-depth explanation
How to check it
A glow plug can be tested by measuring its resistance with a multimeter: an open circuit means it has failed. Removing it needs care and the correct torque, as it can snap inside the cylinder head.
How to read and clear P0673 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 P0673 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
- P066F The cylinder 3 glow plug control gives a higher signal than normal
- P0670 Glow plug module control: circuit fault
- P0671 Cylinder 1 glow plug: circuit fault
- P0672 Cylinder 2 glow plug: circuit fault
- P0674 Cylinder 4 glow plug: circuit fault
- P0675 The cylinder 5 glow plug has an electrical fault
- P0676 The cylinder 6 glow plug has an electrical fault
- P0677 The cylinder 7 glow plug has an electrical fault
- P0600 Serial communication link fault
- P0601 Internal control module memory checksum error
- P0602 Control module programming error
- P0603 Internal control module keep alive memory (KAM) error
What does code P0673 mean?
Each cylinder in a diesel has a glow plug that heats up red-hot for a few seconds to help cold starting. The ECU or glow plug module monitors how much current each one draws. This code means the plug in cylinder 3 is not drawing what it should, nearly always because it has burnt out or is not getting power.
Can you drive with P0673?
You can carry on driving normally: with one glow plug out the engine usually still starts, just a little slower when cold. It can be fixed without rushing.
How do you clear P0673?
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, P0673 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.
