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1997 DODGE RAM 3500

6.7L I6 Cummins Diesel4WDAUTOMATICdiesel
1 active safety recall on this vehicle — view recalls
Repairs0Labor511Torque2763Fluid9DTC536Battery0Maintenance0Recalls1
P0380moderate severityPowertrain

Glow Plug/Heater Circuit A

on 1997 Dodge Ram 3500 6.7L I6 Cummins Diesel · 4WD

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

  1. Test individual glow plug resistance (typically 0.5-2 ohms)
  2. Check glow plug relay
  3. Test glow plug module
  4. Check fuse
  5. Inspect wiring

Repair notes

Test each glow plug individually. Replace any with open circuit or high resistance. Check relay/module.

Other Powertrain codes on this vehicle

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