Failed or degraded glow plug on cylinder 10 (resistance out of range or open circuit); Damaged, corroded or loose connector or terminal at the cylinder 10 glow plug; Wiring fault between the glow plug and the control unit (chafing, high resistance, short or open circuit); Fault in the glow plug control module or its output driver for that channel; Low battery voltage or poor earth or power supply connections affecting the glow plug circuit; Outdated or faulty control unit software where the manufacturer has published a fix for this code.

P06CE

Cylinder 10 Glow Plug Incorrect.

Generic
Powertrain
Generic code
Low severity

How this code is built

P: SystemPowertrain
0: Defined bySAE, the same on every car
6: AreaComputer and output circuits
CE: FaultThe specific fault in that area

What it means

P06CE is the generic code for an incorrect glow plug condition on cylinder 10. The glow plug control unit, or the engine control unit, saw current, resistance, voltage or feedback for that glow plug outside the expected range during a heating or diagnostic cycle. The exact test and what counts as 'incorrect' depend on the make, model and engine. Cylinder 10 means the engine has at least ten cylinders, so check the cylinder numbering for your engine.

Symptoms

Engine management warning light or glow plug warning light on
Harder starting in cold weather, especially on one bank
Rough running, white smoke or misfire for a short while after a cold start
Slightly higher emissions or smoke until the engine warms up
No noticeable symptoms when the engine is warm

Possible causes

Failed or degraded glow plug on cylinder 10 (resistance out of range or open circuit)likely
Damaged, corroded or loose connector or terminal at the cylinder 10 glow pluglikely
Wiring fault between the glow plug and the control unit (chafing, high resistance, short or open circuit)possible
Fault in the glow plug control module or its output driver for that channelpossible
Low battery voltage or poor earth or power supply connections affecting the glow plug circuitpossible
Outdated or faulty control unit software where the manufacturer has published a fix for this coderare

How to diagnose

Read all stored codes and freeze frame data, noting coolant temperature, battery voltage and whether other glow plug codes are present.
Confirm the cylinder numbering and glow plug location for this engine using the manufacturer's data, as it varies by model.
Check battery condition and charging voltage, then check the glow plug power and earth connections for corrosion or looseness.
Visually inspect the cylinder 10 glow plug connector, terminal and wiring for heat damage, chafing, oil contamination or water ingress.
Measure the resistance of the cylinder 10 glow plug against the specification for the engine, and compare it with a known-good plug on the same bank.
Check the wiring for continuity and for shorts to earth or supply between the glow plug and the control unit.
With a suitable scan tool, activate the glow plugs and watch current draw and commanded state for cylinder 10 compared with other cylinders.
Check for any manufacturer software updates or technical bulletins relating to this code on the vehicle.

How to fix

Replace the cylinder 10 glow plug if its resistance or current draw is out of specification, using the correct part and torque for the engine.
Repair or replace the damaged connector, terminal or section of wiring.
Clean and tighten power and earth connections, and restore battery health if the voltage is low.
Replace the glow plug control module if the output for cylinder 10 is faulty and the wiring and plug test good.
Update the control unit software only if the manufacturer lists an outdated calibration as a known cause for this code.

Can I keep driving?

Low severity

The car can normally be driven, as the fault mainly affects cold starting and warm-up. Book it in soon, particularly before winter, and stop if the engine runs very roughly or you see other warnings.

Guide written by AI from the code's definition. Confirm with a diagnosis before replacing parts.