Error Code P06BC: What It Means & What To Do?

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The Powertrain Control Module or the PCM sets this code when it detects that the glow plug for the cylinder four is not functioning as normal. Every diesel vehicle has a glow plus which preheats the cylinder before the engine is started.

The glow plug system is very crucial in a diesel engine vehicle. It assists in providing heat needed for the combustion to begin during cold temperatures. These glow plugs are heated before and during the cranking, and also during initial engine operation. This glow plug is turned On by the Engine Control Module or the ECM module. It does do, by monitoring the temperature of the coolant and glow plug voltage. There are eight different glow plug supply circuits in a glow plug system, these are all connected between the controller and the glow plugs. The ECM will set error code P06BC, if it finds that the feedback voltage received from the controller to the ECM isn’t in the range required.

What causes this problem with the Cylinder 4 Glow Plug Circuit Range/Performance

• Glow plug(s) are not good
• Open or shorted circuits found in the glow plug control
• Loose or faulty connector of the glow plug
• Faulty glow plug timer

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We have drafted a list of symptoms especially for our customers and readers. Knowledge of your vehicle and the OBD codes can help in diagnosis and investing in buying the right parts for your vehicle. Here are few common symptoms:

Common Symptoms

• Increase in quantity of black smoke emitted from exhaust
• Engine drivability complications
• Poor engine starts up
• Fuel efficiency reduced significantly
• Suspicious engine misfire codes may be stored

You can correct your OBD error code P06BC easily, here is one way to do that.

• Glow Plug Replacement

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Here are some steps to diagnose this P06BC fault code:

Get hold of a diagnostic scanner, digital volt/ohmmeter and a reliable source of vehicle information including the Technical Service Bulletins or TSB. All of these will play a centre role in diagnosis of this OBD error code P06BC. The TSB will serve as the reference point for troubleshooting, as per your vehicle model, make year etc. Take out the following information from your vehicle information source; diagnostic flowcharts, connector face views, connector pinout charts, wiring diagram, component locations, and component testing procedures/specifications.

Start performing a careful visual inspection of the glow plug control wiring, connectors and related parts and also of the glow plug. Once you’re done, connect your scanner to the vehicle's diagnostic port and retrieve all the codes. freeze frame the data and also made note of them in order for future reference. Now, clear all codes and take your vehicle on a test-drive, to see if the code immediately rests or if the PCM enters readiness mode. In case the former happens, simply continue diagnosis, but if the latter occurs, it would mean that this is an intermittent condition. Unfortunately, the condition would have to worsen before precise diagnosis can be drawn.

While testing the glow plugs remove them and apply battery voltage, if the plug glows red, then it’s perfectly fine, however if it doesn’t heat up, then you will have to make use of the DVOM to test it. Most likely you will discover that it doesn’t meet the specified resistance as prescribed by your vehicle manual. Be sure to be careful, possibilities of lighting a fire or getting burnt are there. Coming to the glow plug that actually showed that it was fine, you will now need to use the scanner and activate the glow plug timer. Use the DVOM to test for battery voltage and a ground present at the glow plug connector. Is there any voltage present? if yes, text the power supply for the glow plug timer and controller. Also, test all related fuses and relays as per manufacturer's recommendations. Follow a simply rule from professionals i.e. to test system fuses and fusible links with the circuit loaded, this is because a fuse for which circuit isn’t loaded may show signs of functionality and lead you astray.

Now, if all fuses and replays appear proper, test the output voltage (wherever it originates) at the glow plug timer or PCM via your DVOM. If it is successfully detected, suspect an open or shorted circuit, seek out what the issue is and accordingly opt for repairs or replacements. Keep in mind that a P06BC error can occur due to a faulty glow plug, even though it is a control circuit code. A defective glow plug may cause issue in the control circuit resulting in such a code, wherein it’s trying to resolve issue with the incorrect cylinder. So, don’t disregard the confusion that can be caused by a malfunctioning glow plug. Addressing the correct cylinder is very important to diagnose error code P06BC.

Common mistakes when diagnosing the P06BC Code

• Failed Glow plug control module
• Failure of Glow plug
• Malfunction of the Glow plug wiring harness