The glow module calculates each plug's resistance from voltage and current while glowing. 'Range/performance' means the circuit is electrically intact but the resistance or current lies outside the specified window – typically an aged, high-resistance or wrong plug or contact resistance at the connector. CARB requires a single plug outside specification to be detected from model year 2010. Ford's 2023 6.7 L/3.0 L Power Stroke runs this check during heating after the open and short checks and flags a circuit above 2 Ω after about 3 s. GM does not use this code family. Ram's 6.7 L Cummins (from model year 2025, with glow plugs instead of the grid heater) set these codes falsely; the fix was reprogramming the engine module.
Low severity. Can I keep driving?You can keep driving, although cold starts will be harder. Avoid cranking the starter repeatedly on cold days.
Cylinder 5 is numbered according to the manufacturer: check your engine's manual before working on it.
Symptoms
- Check engine and glow plug lamp
- Harder cold start in frost
- Rough running and white smoke after a cold start
- Often no symptom when warm
Most likely causes
- Glow plug cylinder 5 aged or high-resistance
- Contact resistance at plug connector or terminal nut
- Wrong plug type or a plug with a manufacturing fault
- Engine or glow module software (Ram 6.7 L from 2025)
What to check, in order
Start with the simplest. You can tick off each step.
Good to know
- Repair difficulty: medium
- It affects emissions.
What each character of P06BD means
- P: Powertrain: engine and transmission
- 0: Generic code: same on every make
- 6: Control modules and outputs
- BD: Specific fault in that system
Frequently asked questions
Can I keep driving with code P06BD?
You can keep driving, although cold starts will be harder. Avoid cranking the starter repeatedly on cold days.
What causes code P06BD?
The most common causes are: glow plug cylinder 5 aged or high-resistance; contact resistance at plug connector or terminal nut; wrong plug type or a plug with a manufacturing fault.
Related codes
- P0675Cylinder 5 Glow Plug Circuit/Open
- P067CCylinder 5 Glow Plug Control Circuit Low
- P067DCylinder 5 Glow Plug Control Circuit High
- P06C9Cylinder 5 Glow Plug Incorrect
- P0670Glow Plug Control Module 1 Control Circuit/Open
- P052FGlow Plug Control Module 1 System Voltage
Sources
- law.cornell.edu: 13 CCR 1968.2
- fordservicecontent.com: obd summary diesel 2023
- static.nhtsa.gov: MC 11024055 0001
- static.nhtsa.gov: MC 11028764 0001
Values and procedures vary by manufacturer. If it affects brakes, steering, fuel or high voltage, see a professional. Updated: 2026-11-04. How we build these pages.