P0681 Cylinder 11 Glow Plug Circuit
OBD-II Trouble Code Technical Description
Cylinder #11 Glow Plug Circuit
What does that mean?
This diagnostic trouble code (DTC) is a generic powertrain code. It is considered generic because it applies to all makes and models of vehicles (1996-newer), although specific repair steps may be slightly different depending on the model.
This code relates to the device diesels use to heat the cylinder head for a few seconds when attempting to start a cold engine called a glow plug. A diesel relies entirely on the momentary high level of heat through compression to spontaneously ignite the fuel. The glow plug in the #11 cylinder has failed.
When a diesel engine is cold, the extremely high air temperature produced as the piston rises and compresses the air is quickly lost through heat transfer to the cold cylinder head. The solution comes in the form of a pencil shaped preheater known as a "glow plug."
The glow plug is installed in the cylinder head very close to the point that initializes combustion, or the "hot spot." This could be in the main chamber or pre-chamber. When the engine management computer senses the engine is cold through the use of its oil and transmission sensors, it makes the decision to assist the engine in starting with the use of the glow plugs.
A typical diesel engine glow plug:
It grounds the glow plug timer module which in turn grounds the glow plug relay that sends power to the glow plugs. The module applies power to the glow plugs. The module is generally incorporated in the engine management computer, although so vehicles will have it separately.
Too long an activation will melt the glow plugs as they produce heat through heavy resistance and glow red hot while activated. This intense heat is quickly transferred to the cylinder head which allows the heat of combustion to maintain its heat for the fraction of a second it takes to ignite the incoming fuel for starting.
The code P0681 tells you that something in the glow plug circuit is faulty causing the glow plug on cylinder #11 to fail to heat up. The entire circuit must be checked to locate the fault.
Note: If a P0670 trouble code is present along with this DTC, carry out P0670 diagnosis before diagnosing this code.
Symptoms
With just one glow plug failure other than the check engine light coming on, the symptoms will be minimal since the engine will normally start with one bad plug. Under freezing conditions you would be more likely to experience these. The code is the main way of identifying such a problem.
Potential Causes
The causes for this DTC may include:
Diagnostic Steps & Possible Solutions
You will need a digital volt ohm meter (DVOM) for the complete test. Continue through the tests until the problem is confirmed. You will also need a basic OBD code scanner to reset the computer and erase the code.
Check the cylinder #11 glow plug by disconnecting the wire connector on the plug. Place the DVOM on ohms and place the red lead on the glow plug terminal and the black lead on a good ground. The range is .5 to 2.0 ohms (verify the measurement for your application by referring to a factory service manual). If it is out of range replace the glow plug.
Check the resistance in glow plug wire to the glow plug relay buss bar on the valve cover. Notice the relay (looks like a starter relay) has a large gauge wire leading to a buss bar where all the glow plug wires are attached. Test the wire to the number one glow plug by placing the red lead on the buss bar number one wire and the black lead to the glow plug side. Again, .5 to 2.0 ohms with 2 ohms being the highest resistance. If its higher replace the wire lead to the glow plug from the buss bar. Notice also that these leads from the buss bar to plugs are fusible links. Reconnect the wires.
Check the same wires for looseness, cracks or missing insulation. Connect the code scanner to the OBD port under the dash and turn the key to the "on" position with the engine off. Clear the codes.
Additional P0681 Resources
We found two helpful resources that may assist you in diagnosing and repairing your DTC. The first is a link to a great VW glow plug thread, the second is a video (we are not affiliated with either source)
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Let us fix your problem. You are most welcome our diagnosis experts have in most cases the knowledge and skills to find the cause of the error code p0681 and to solve the problems.
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"Delete Error Code Permanently, Disable DTC Error Code Function for p0681 in the ECU"
In extreme cases, we even have the option to permanently remove the specific DTC p0681 and disable the function of the specific error code in the ECU. All other fault code functions will then continue to work to protect the engine. This is different from clearing an error code with a diagnostic device. We have the option to permanently remove the function of the specific error code, so that it never comes back. Also emergency running that occurs on the specific error code can be solved in most cases.
Of course we prefer to first try to solve the cause of the error code, but sometimes the only solution is to permanently disable the DTC function of p0681.
