A glow plug has no identification; the control unit recognises its type only from its electrical behaviour – cold resistance at switch-on and how resistance rises during heating (R = U/I). A Beru patent describes how steel and ceramic plugs are told apart this way so the right heating profile is used and a wrong or mixed type is reported. A low-voltage plug on an 11 V control burns out, an 11 V plug on a low-voltage control glows too weakly. GM uses 'incorrect' for any resistance outside the window: the 2025 diesels check 0.22–2.00 Ω (15 of 25 samples, two trips), the L5P glow module a ramp-dependent window. P06CE reports this for cylinder 10. No manufacturer document available to us uses this code for cylinders 9 and above; the description follows cylinders 1–8.
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 10 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 or white smoke
- Possibly plug burnt out (low-voltage plug on 11 V control)
- Code after replacing plugs
Most likely causes
- Wrong glow plug type fitted in cylinder 10 (steel/ceramic, voltage rating)
- Plug resistance drifted (ageing, damage)
- Glow module software or check during cranking (false report)
- Contact resistance at the plug connector
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 P06CE means
- P: Powertrain: engine and transmission
- 0: Generic code: same on every make
- 6: Control modules and outputs
- CE: Specific fault in that system
Frequently asked questions
Can I keep driving with code P06CE?
You can keep driving, although cold starts will be harder. Avoid cranking the starter repeatedly on cold days.
What causes code P06CE?
The most common causes are: wrong glow plug type fitted in cylinder 10 (steel/ceramic, voltage rating); plug resistance drifted (ageing, damage); glow module software or check during cranking (false report).
Related codes
- P06C2Cylinder 10 Glow Plug Circuit Range/Performance
- P0680Cylinder 10 Glow Plug Circuit/Open
- P069CCylinder 10 Glow Plug Control Circuit Low
- P069DCylinder 10 Glow Plug Control Circuit High
- P0670Glow Plug Control Module 1 Control Circuit/Open
Sources
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.