Home / DTC / P0673 — Cylinder 3 glow plug open circuit

P0673 — Cylinder 3 glow plug open circuit

Detailed page for trouble code P0673.

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Code

P0673

LAND ROVER P — Powertrain

Cylinder 3 glow plug open circuit

Views: UK: 3 EN: 12 RU: 12
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Causes

  • Failed glow plug (open winding)
  • Broken or disconnected wiring to glow plug #3
  • Corroded or damaged connector/terminal
  • Blown fuse or faulty glow relay/power supply
  • Open or high-resistance ground connection
  • Faulty ECM/driver circuit (rare)

Symptoms

  • Glow plug warning lamp or diesel preheat indicator illuminated
  • Hard starting or extended cranking when cold
  • Excessive white smoke on cold start
  • Rough idle or misfire until engine warms
  • Check Engine Light (MIL) set with stored code P0673

What to check

  • Read freeze-frame and live data with a diagnostic scanner (confirm code and conditions)
  • Visually inspect glow plug #3 connector, wiring, and insulation for damage/corrosion
  • Check glow plug fuse(s) and glow relay/power supply for continuity and operation
  • Measure resistance of glow plug #3 (engine cold) by removing connector — compare to manufacturer spec
  • Backprobe connector with ignition on to verify supply voltage and driver signal from ECM when preheat is active
  • Perform wiggle test on harness while monitoring ECU data to detect intermittent opens

Signal parameters

  • Typical glow plug resistance (cold): roughly 0.5–2.0 ohms (varies by engine; check OEM spec)
  • Supply voltage at connector when energized: near battery voltage (~11–14 V) at feed side
  • Driver output: ECM switches ground or positive to allow current flow; expected measurable current draw per plug commonly several amps (varies by design)
  • Open circuit condition: infinite or very high resistance on ohmmeter and/or no current/voltage at plug when commanded

Diagnostic algorithm

  1. Safety first: allow engine to cool, park on level ground, set parking brake. Wear eye protection and insulated gloves when working near battery and heated components.
  2. Use a scan tool: record freeze-frame, note conditions (battery voltage, coolant temp, ambient temp). Clear code only after repairs for retest.
  3. Visual inspection: examine glow plug #3, connector, wiring, and ground paths for damage, corrosion, loose pins, or signs of overheating.
  4. Check fuses/relay: verify supply fuse and glow relay operation. Replace if faulty.
  5. Measure glow plug resistance: disconnect connector and measure resistance of glow plug #3 to engine ground or across the plug — compare to spec. An open (OL) indicates a failed plug.
  6. Verify supply and switching: with harness connected, backprobe feed and driver terminals. With preheat commanded, feed should have battery voltage and driver should show switching (ground or voltage change). No feed indicates power supply/fuse/relay issue; feed present but no switching indicates ECM/driver or open in wiring to plug.
  7. Continuity test: check continuity from ECM/relay to the glow plug connector and from plug connector to engine ground. Repair any open or high-resistance wiring or poor grounds.
  8. Swap test: when safe and plugs are identical, swap plug #3 with another cylinder. If code moves to that cylinder number, plug is faulty. If code remains P0673, suspect wiring/ECM.
  9. Repair/replace: replace failed glow plug and/or repair wiring/connector or replace fuse/relay. If ECM driver is suspected after ruling out wiring and plug, consult dealer-level information before ECM replacement.
  10. Verify: clear codes, perform crank/idle and preheat cycles under similar conditions, confirm code does not return.
  11. Note: consult Land Rover OEM specs and procedures for torque values, plug type, and exact resistance/voltage values.

Likely causes

  • Glow plug #3 has failed open
  • Loose/broken lead or pin at the glow plug connector
  • Corroded connector or terminal causing open circuit
  • Faulty fuse or relay in glow plug feed
  • Damage to harness (chafing, heat, rodent bite) between ECM and cylinder 3

Fault status

⚠️ Status
Cylinder 3 glow plug open circuit — ECM detected an open or very high resistance condition in the glow plug/heater circuit for cylinder 3.
🟡 Repair difficulty: Medium
⏱️ Diagnostic time: 0.5-2.0 hours

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