P0380moderate severityPowertrain
Glow Plug/Heater Circuit A
on 2013 Audi A3 2.0L TDI I4 · FWD
What this code means
Malfunction in the glow plug heating circuit. Glow plugs are used in diesel engines to preheat the combustion chamber for cold starting.
Symptoms
- Check Engine Light
- Hard cold starting
- White smoke on cold start
- Extended cranking
- Rough idle when cold
Common causes
- Faulty glow plug(s)
- Glow plug relay failure
- Glow plug module failure
- Wiring damage
- Blown fuse
Diagnostic steps
- Test individual glow plug resistance (typically 0.5-2 ohms)
- Check glow plug relay
- Test glow plug module
- Check fuse
- Inspect wiring
Repair notes
Test each glow plug individually. Replace any with open circuit or high resistance. Check relay/module.
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