P06E1 code meaning
Cylinder 11 Glow Plug Control Circuit High
Powertrain system Generic code P06xx codes Check engine light
What P06E1 means
Diesel glow systems switch each plug through its own power semiconductor and switch off a faulty channel; CARB requires single-plug detection from model year 2010. P06E1 means the circuit to the cylinder 11 glow plug is shorted to positive: voltage is present although the driver is off, or no current flows when it is on. For cylinders 1–8, GM's engine-module drivers flag a short to positive below 0.5 Ω after two trips, and Ford's 2023 Power Stroke 0 A while commanded for about 1 s. The plug may glow permanently and fail early; the other plugs keep working. Wiring shorted to supply or a failed driver are the usual causes. No manufacturer document available to us uses this code – it needs at least 11 cylinders, and the only US OBD II diesel above eight, VW's Touareg V10 TDI, has ten; the description follows cylinders 1–8.
P06E1 at a glance
- Check engine lightYes, usually on
- Emissions testCan fail
- Limp modeNot expected
- Repair difficultyMedium, DIY possible
- Typical labor1 to 4 hours
- Clears after repairAfter a drive cycle
Symptoms of P06E1
- Check engine light (GM: also glow plug lamp)
- Harder cold start in frost
- Rough cold idle, white smoke after cold start
- Plug may glow permanently and fail early
Common causes of P06E1
- Most likelyPlug wire shorted to supply in the harness
- PossibleDriver stage in the glow module shorted (permanently on)
- PossibleMoisture or corrosion bridging to a supply pin
- Less likelyGlow module software
Check the most likely causes first. Replacing parts by guesswork is the most expensive way to clear a code.
Parts involved
Glow plugGlow plug wiringGlow plug control module
What each part of P06E1 means
| P | Powertrain system: engine, fuel system, ignition, emissions and transmission. |
| 0 | Generic code: it means the same on every make (SAE standard). |
| 6 | Area: computer (engine control module) and output circuits. |
| E1 | The exact fault in that area. |
What to do next
- Note P06E1 and any other codes stored with it: several codes together often point to one cause.
- Check for loose connectors and damaged wiring around the parts the code names.
- Check open recalls for your car: some faults are fixed for free by the dealer. Enter your VIN.
- Clear the code only after the repair. If it comes back, the fault is still there.
Buying a used car? Scan it for stored codes before you pay. A recently cleared memory can hide a problem.
Questions about P06E1
What does P06E1 mean?
P06E1 means "Cylinder 11 Glow Plug Control Circuit High". Diesel glow systems switch each plug through its own power semiconductor and switch off a faulty channel; CARB requires single-plug detection from model year 2010. It is a generic code, so it means the same on every make.
Is it safe to drive with P06E1?
Usually yes, for a short time, if the check engine light is steady and the car drives normally. If the light flashes or the car runs badly, stop and have it checked.
Will P06E1 fail an emissions test?
Yes, it can. P06E1 is emissions-related, so most inspection programs fail a car while it is stored or while the check engine light is on.
How hard is P06E1 to fix?
Difficulty: medium. A typical repair takes 1 to 4 hours of work. A careful DIY repair is possible with basic tools and a scanner.
Will P06E1 clear itself after the repair?
After the repair the car has to complete a drive cycle (a mix of city and highway driving) before the test runs again. Until then the readiness monitor shows "not ready", which can fail an inspection.