P0381 Kia Glow Plug/Heater Indicator Circuit Malfunction

Possible causes

– Faulty Glow Plug
– Glow Plug harness is open or shorted
– Glow Plug circuit poor electrical connection

What about the obd code?

– The glow plugs are commanded OFF and the glow plug feedback is more than 2 volts. or
– The glow plugs are commanded on and the glow plug feedback is not between 5 volts and 6.2 volts.

Symptoms

– Engine Light ON (or Service Engine Soon Warning Light)
– The engine may be harder to start

P0381 Kia Description

The glow plug system is used to assist in providing the heat required to begin combustion during cold engine temperatures. The glow plugs are heated before and during cranking, as well as initial engine operation. The engine control module (ECM) controls the glow plug ON times by monitoring coolant temperature and glow plug voltage. The California Glow Plug system has eight individual glow plug supply circuits between the controller and the glow plugs. If the feedback voltage from the controller to the ECM is not within range, DTC P0380 Kia will set.