What is P0383 fault code? What is the Glow Plug Control Module Circuit low error code? How can I fix P0383 fault? What are the causes and symptoms for the P0383 fault code
What is the P0383 fault code? What does it signify?
If the powertrain controller module (PCM), detects a voltage sign on the glowplug control module circuit that’s 10% below the manufacturer-programmed value, a P0383 code will be activated. This code applies only to vehicles that have diesel engines.
Diesel engines are not required to use spark plugs to ignite their air-fuel mixture, unlike gasoline engines. Diesel engines have higher compression strokes than gasoline engines. The high compression can cause the temperature inside the cylinders above 600 degrees. This is enough to ignite diesel fuel. High pressure fuel is injected into a combustion chamber when the piston reaches its top dead center. Superheated air ignites fuel and the piston is pushed down by a powerful explosion. This cycle allows the crankshaft to rotate and the vehicle to move.
Sub-zero temperatures are difficult to heat the air and the engine is cold. Diesel vehicles use a component called a “glow plug”. The glow plugs are pencil-shaped and heat the air entering the pistons.
Modern cars come with a glow-plug control module that can measure the electrical resistance of each glow plug. This module can adjust the amount of electrical current that is delivered to each glow-plug. This allows them to heat to the same temperature and in the same time. The heating process can take as long as ten seconds in older systems than it takes in electronic control systems. However, it is completed in less that two seconds. This increases engine start-up speed at sub-zero temperatures. It also extends the lifespan of components, such as glow plugs.
Modern glow plug control systems have become quite complex. While there is a control module to monitor and manage the system, it is not the only one that needs to know everything going on inside the glow plug control circuit. It can then manage overall fuel delivery and other engine management strategies. The PCM monitors closely the glow plug control module circuit and associated circuits via dedicated communication circuits. The PCM will activate the check engine lamp if it detects low voltage signals on the glow plug control module circuit.
The P0383 fault code can affect vehicles of all makes and models, including but not limited to: Opel, Honda Honda, Toyota, Nissan, Opel Honda, Hyundai, Toyota.
What is the P0383 Fault Code?
Here are some reasons why P0383 should be set.
- – A defective one or more glowplugs
- – A defective glow plug relay
- Defective timer or glow plug control module
- – Short-circuited, damaged, melted, or broken wires in the heater circuit or glow plug wiring harness
- – Broken, worn, rusty or loose connectors
- Blownfuses (a malfunction could cause the fuse to blow).
- – Low battery voltage
- – Use sub-industry or low quality glow plug control modules
- – A PCM is not working properly or has to be reprogrammed
What are the symptoms of the P0383 Fault Code?
The following symptoms may be experienced by anyone who has a vehicle that is coded P0383.
- – Make sure the engine light is on (8 drives must be repeated to cause light to fail in certain applications).
- – The glow plug fault lamp could be lit continuously
- – Difficulty starting the cold engine, especially if there are more then two glow plugs that are faulty.
- Cold may cause engine to stall or misfire.
- – Acceleration loss of power
- – White smoke from the exhaust
- – The engine can run loudly until it reaches its operating temperature.
- – Increased fuel use
- – Other fault codes can be set
How do I fix the P0383 fault code?
This code can be fixed by replacing the glow plug control modules and relays without performing the required checks. Before you replace these components, make sure to inspect the wires and connectors. These parts are usually the cause of the problem.
The following repairs may be able to resolve the P0383 fault code:
- – Repairing bent, damaged, snapped, snapped, or short-circuited wires as well as loose, rusty connectors to glow plug control module circuit
- Repair of shorted, fused or loose wires/connectors in the glow-plug heater circuit
- – Replacing a dead or weak battery
- – Replacing blown fuse
- – Replacing a defective glowplug relay
- – Replacing defective glow plugs
- – Replacing a faulty timer or glow plug control module
- – Reprogramming and replacing the PCM (rarely).
How serious is the P0383 Fault code?
The number of defective glow plugs will determine the severity of the code. Only one or two defective glow plugs can cause the vehicle to not start. You may experience a car not starting at all or running very hard when it is cold if there are more defective glow plugs. The starter motor’s life expectancy can be reduced by prolonged cranking. No matter the issue, you should take your vehicle to a mechanic right away.
