GM Service Manual Online
For 1990-2009 cars only

Refer to

Glow Plug Controls


Object Number: 185292  Size: FS
Cell 10: GAUGES Fuse
Cell 10: ENG-1 Fuse
Cell 10: Battery, and Underhood Fuse Block
Cell 10: Battery, and Underhood Fuse Block
Handling ESD Sensitive Parts Notice
Handling ESD Sensitive Parts Notice
Powertrain Control Module Connector End Views
Cell 14: G105 (1 of 2)
OBD II Symbol Description Notice
Fuel Controls
Ignition System
.

Circuit Description

The glow plug system is used to assist in providing the heat required to begin combustion during engine starting at cold ambient temperatures. The glow plugs are heated before and during cranking, as well as during the engine operation. The PCM controls the glow plug ON times by monitoring coolant temperatures and glow plug voltage. This system check will check the glow plugs and the glow plug feed circuit coming from the relay.

Diagnostic Aids

If the glow plug relay is stuck in the ON position, check for proper operation of the glow plugs. When the glow plugs are commanded ON by the scan tool, an internal PCM timer protects the glow plugs from damage by cycling them ON for 3 seconds and then OFF for 12 seconds. Most glow plug system failures are covered by DTC P0380. If no DTCs are stored, the vehicle is hard to start and white smoke is present during cranking or after the vehicle is started, the most likely cause of failure is the glow plugs.

Test Description

Number(s) below refer to the number(s) on the diagnostic table.

  1. This step will make sure OBD system check is performed.

  2. This step will make sure there are no other DTCs stored that will affect the operation of the glow plug system.

  3. This step will check each glow plug for an open.

  4. This step will check each glow plug feed circuit for an open.

Step

Action

Value(s)

Yes

No

1

Important: Before clearing DTCs use the scan tool Capture Info to record freeze frame and failure records for reference, as data will be lost when Clear Info function is used.

Was the Powertrain On-Board Diagnostic (OBD) System Check performed?

--

Go to Step 2

Go to Powertrain On Board Diagnostic (OBD) System Check

2

Is DTC:

    • P0117
    • P0118
    • P0380

stored as history or current codes?

--

Go to the Applicable DTC Table

Go to Step 3

3

  1. Turn the ignition OFF.
  2. Disconnect all the glow plugs.
  3. With a test light connected to B+, probe the spade terminal on each glow plug.

Do all glow plugs turn test light ON?

--

Go to Step 4

Go to Step 9

4

  1. Turn the ignition ON leaving the engine OFF.
  2. Verify the glow plugs are still disconnected.
  3. With a test light, jumper each glow plug connector terminal to ground.
  4. With a scan tool, command the glow plugs ON.

Does each circuit turn the test light ON?

--

Go to Step 5

Go to Step 10

5

Does the test light stay ON all the time for each glow plug terminal (even when the glow plugs aren't commanded ON)?

--

Go to Step 6

Go to Step 11

6

  1. Disconnect the glow plug output (gray) cable from the glow plug relay.
  2. Probe each glow plug terminal with a test light connected to ground.

Is the test light ON for all terminals?

--

Go to Step 7

Go to Step 8

7

Repair the short to voltage on the glow plug output circuit or the short to voltage on the glow plug signal circuit.

Is the action complete?

--

Go to Step 11

--

8

Replace the glow plug relay. Refer to Glow Plug Relay Replacement .

Is the action complete?

--

Go to Step 11

--

9

Replace all glow plugs that do not turn ON the test light. Refer to Glow Plug Replacement - Left Side or Glow Plug Replacement - Right Side .

Is action complete?

--

Go to Step 11

--

10

Repair open in each circuit that does not turn ON the test light?

Is action complete?

--

Go to Step 11

--

11

Operate vehicle within the conditions under which system was noted.

Does system operate properly?

--

System OK

Go to Step 1