PROTOCOLLO D'OFFICINA DIESEL OBD-II8-10 min read
P0671Candelette e AvviamentoGravità Moderata💡 Spia motore accesa

P0671: Circuito candeletta di preriscaldo cilindro 1 / Circuito aperto

Il codice di guasto diagnostico (DTC) P0671 indica che la centralina controllo motore (ECM/PCM) o il modulo elettronico di controllo preriscaldo (GCU) ha rilevato un circuito aperto, una resistenza elettrica anomala o un'interruzione di continuità circoscritta specificamente al circuito della candeletta del cilindro 1. Nei moderni motori diesel common rail, ogni candeletta riceve un'alimentazione di corrente commutata e monitorata singolarmente dalla centralina candelette. Durante le fasi di preriscaldo e post-riscaldo, lo shunt amperometrico integrato dedicato al cilindro 1 rileva un passaggio di corrente prossimo allo zero (< 1,0 A) durante l'attivazione, indicando l'interruzione del filamento riscaldante interno alla candeletta, un connettore scollegato o un'interruzione nel cablaggio elettrico.

🚗 PROTOCOLLO GUIDATORE & RIPARAZIONE

🚗 Sicurezza operativa, costi tipici e verifica diagnostica

🟢 Avviso: Marcia sicura / Controllo emissioni
  1. 01

    🚦 Sicurezza di guida e rischi meccanici

    Valutazione immediata e necessità di carro attrezzi

    Circuito candeletta cilindro 1 aperto - Difficoltà di avviamento a freddo e blocco rigenerazione DPF

    L'elemento riscaldante della candeletta del cilindro 1 è in circuito aperto (bruciato). Sebbene il motore si avvii con temperature miti, gli avviamenti a freddo provocheranno mancate accensioni e fumo bianco. Inoltre, la ECU sospenderà i cicli attivi di rigenerazione DPF.

    PERICOLI MECCANICI IN CASO DI GUIDA CONTINUA:La sospensione delle rigenerazioni DPF causa un sovraccarico di fuliggine (P2463) e la successiva, costosa sostituzione del filtro DPF.
  2. 02

    💰 Budget tipico di riparazione in officina

    Scaglioni di costo per ricambi e manodopera
    Manutenzione leggera / Filtro25 € - 60 €: Sostituzione fai-da-te della candeletta cilindro 1 con ricambio Bosch/NGK/BERU

    Pulizia sensore, sostituzione filtro carburante, controllo fusibili o contatti cablaggio.

    Sostituzione valvola / Sensore90 € - 220 €: Sostituzione di tutte e 4 le candelette per prevenire guasti a catena

    Sostituzione singolo componente (valvola regolatrice, unità dosatrice o iniettore revisionato).

    Revisione complessa / Pompa e iniettori350 € - 850 €: Manodopera specializzata con estrattori dedicati per rimuovere la candeletta grippata o spezzata nella testata

    Revisione pompa alta pressione, set iniettori nuovi o sostituzione gruppo DPF.

    Tariffe indicative di officina. Oltre il 70% dei casi si risolve al Livello 1 o 2 senza sostituire interi sottogruppi.

  3. 03

    🧰 Verifiche visive rapide fai-da-te

    Controllo rapido in 5 minuti senza attrezzi prima di chiamare l'officina
    11. Misurare la resistenza con un multimetro: staccare la pipetta della candeletta del cilindro 1, posizionare un puntale sul terminale centrale e uno a massa sul blocco motore (candeletta buona: 0,6 - 1,5 Ohm; bruciata: infinita / OL).
    22. Non tentare mai la rimozione a motore freddo: scaldare sempre il motore a 80 °C e applicare liquido sbloccante penetrante 24 ore prima.
    33. Rispettare la coppia limite: non superare i 25-30 N-m di coppia di rottura durante lo smontaggio per non spezzare la candeletta.
  4. 04

    🛡️ Protezione contro diagnosi errate in officina

    Domande mirate per evitare la sostituzione inutile di componenti
    ""Verificare la resistenza della candeletta del cilindro 1 con un ohmmetro prima di sostituire la centralina di preriscaldo.""
    ""Applicare sempre grasso ceramico antigrippante per alte temperature sul filetto della nuova candeletta e serrare alla coppia prescritta di 10-15 N-m.""
    ""Verificare che lo stato della rigenerazione DPF torni operativo dopo aver cancellato il codice di guasto della candeletta.""

    Nota tecnica: Poni queste domande al meccanico prima di autorizzare costose sostituzioni:

🔧 PROTOCOLLO TECNICO PROFESSIONALE & OFFICINARAPID ASSESSMENT

Triage d'officina in 30 secondi

Sintomi principali
  • Check Engine Light (MIL) and amber spiral glow plug indicator illuminated on the dashboard
  • Engine stumbling, rough idle, and misfiring on Cylinder 1 for 15-45 seconds following a cold start
  • Puffs of unburned white or grey exhaust smoke during cold starting with a strong smell of raw diesel fuel
Cause più probabili
  • Burned out, fractured, or open internal heating filament inside the Cylinder 1 glow plug
  • Loose, disconnected, or corroded electrical connector cap on the Cylinder 1 glow plug terminal
  • Broken, chafed, or melted wiring harness wire between the Glow Control Unit and Cylinder 1 glow plug
Prima azione richiesta

Connect scan tool live telemetry: compare Target Fuel Rail Pressure vs Actual Rail Pressure and log metering valve command PWM duty cycle during idle and road load.

Expensive Diagnostic Pitfall & Technical Reality

❌ Errore comune in officina:

P0671 requires replacing all 4/6 glow plugs immediately, and if plug 1 is seized in the head, the entire cylinder head must be removed ($1,200 - $2,500).

🔍 Realtà tecnica e idraulica:

P0671 is an isolated circuit fault specific to Cylinder 1. It means the glow plug control module measured infinite resistance (open circuit) on Cylinder 1's heater circuit. In over 85% of cases, the other cylinders' glow plugs are completely healthy and should NOT be disturbed (unnecessarily disturbing healthy plugs risks shearing them in the head). The root cause is a burned-out heating element inside plug 1 or a loose push-on connector boot that has vibrated off.

💡 Protocollo di verifica tecnica:

Risking head removal and high-cost glow plug extraction ($1,500+) by forcing all plugs out vs testing plug 1 with a $15 multimeter and replacing only the single $18-$35 plug with proper vibration-warm extraction technique, saving over $1,400.

Glow Plug Tip Swelling & Thread Shearing Catastrophe Warning

CRITICAL WORKSHOP WARNING: Extreme care is mandatory when removing the Cylinder 1 glow plug to prevent cylinder head destruction!

MANDATORY PROTOCOL: When a glow plug fails, electrical arcing or combustion oil contamination often causes the heating tip to swell in diameter. When unscrewing the plug, the swollen tip can jam in the cylinder head bore. NEVER force the plug with an impact wrench! Apply penetrating oil, run the engine to full operating temperature (90°C), and use a calibrated torque wrench set to a maximum of 25 Nm (M8) or 35 Nm (M10). If the plug binds, work it back and forth with penetrating fluid to avoid snapping the plug inside the cylinder head.

PLATFORM ARCHITECTURE

Motori e piattaforme di iniezione più colpiti

Questo codice di guasto interessa principalmente le seguenti piattaforme diesel common rail. Verificate di seguito la famiglia di motori per le anomalie tipiche e i codici ricambio:

Volkswagen / Audi 2.0 TDI (EA189 / CFFB / CFGB)

Bosch EDC17 Common Rail System

Anomalia tipica di fabbrica: Piezo stack degradation, injector harness terminal fretting, DPF differential pressure sensor silicone tube split.

Componente chiave:03L130277, 0445110369, 076906051A

Renault / Opel 1.9 dCi (F9Q)

Bosch EDC15 / EDC16 Common Rail System

Anomalia tipica di fabbrica: Injector harness connector diesel seepage, glow plug tip carbon seizure, EGR valve soot accumulation.

Componente chiave:7700107165, 0445110021, 8200542997

BMW 2.0d / 3.0d (N47 / N57 / M57TU2)

Bosch CRI2.5 / CRI3.0 Common Rail

Anomalia tipica di fabbrica: Injector balance drift beyond +/- 4.0 mg/stroke, glow plug control unit (BERU) power lead failure, DPF backpressure accumulation.

Componente chiave:13537805428, 0445116024, 12217801201

Ford / PSA 1.6 TDCi / HDi (DV6ATED4 / DLD-416)

Bosch CRI2-16 Common Rail System

Anomalia tipica di fabbrica: Injector copper washer blow-by (black death), injector cylinder circuit fretting corrosion, DPF pressure pipes heat cracking.

Componente chiave:0445110239, 1980J7, 1618LP
WORKSHOP MASTER TEARDOWN GUIDE

Diesel Glow Plug Diagnostics & Circuit Troubleshooting Guide

Workshop troubleshooting guide for diesel glow plug fault codes P0380, P0670, and P0671 to P0674. Resistance specs, GPCM relay testing, and removal torque.

Read Full Master Guide →
THEORY OF OPERATION

Circuito di controllo e logica attuatore

1. Dynamic In-Demand Fuel Metering

The Cylinder 1 glow plug is threaded directly into the cylinder head with its heating tip protruding into the combustion chamber adjacent to the common rail fuel injector nozzle. It receives current via a dedicated wire running from Channel 1 of the Glow Control Unit. The outer steel casing of the glow plug provides the electrical ground return through its threads directly into the engine block. When energized, current flows through an internal heating and regulating coil, heating the tip to over 1,000°C in under 2 to 4 seconds.

2. Closed-Loop PID Deviation Monitoring

The GCU's internal microprocessor monitors instantaneous current on the Cylinder 1 output MOSFET on every activation cycle. Under normal conditions, inrush current peaks at 15A-25A and stabilizes at 8A-12A. If current fails to exceed 1.0 A within 200 milliseconds of activation (indicating infinite resistance / open circuit), the GCU registers a Channel 1 fault and transmits this status to the ECM over the LIN-bus, setting DTC P0671 and turning on the glow plug warning light.

3. Diagnostic Trap: Normally Open (NO) vs Normally Closed (NC) Valves

Open Circuit Isolation Rule: An open circuit on Cylinder 1 glow plug causes cold-start stumbling and white smoke isolated to Cylinder 1. Once the engine warms up, the fault disappears from driveability, but the DTC remains stored in the ECM. The most common cause is a burned-out heating filament inside the plug, which can be verified in under 60 seconds with an ohmmeter.

ENGINEERING SPECIFICATIONS

Parametri fisici elettrici ed idraulici

Solenoid Coil DC ResistanceStandard 12V Metal Glow Plug: 0.6 - 1.2 Ω @ 20°C; Low-Voltage Ceramic Plug: 0.3 - 0.5 Ω; Open Circuit: > 10 Ω (OL)Measured @ 20°C across terminals 1 & 2
Insulation Resistance> 10 MΩ measured between glow plug terminal pin and outer threaded body (tested @ 250V/500V DC)Between terminals and pump body (ground)
Operating Supply VoltagePulsed DC Voltage: 4.4 V to 11.5 V DC depending on engine design; Battery supply > 12.0 VHigh-side feed from ECM / main relay
PWM Frequency StandardPulse-Width Modulated (PWM) current feed controlled by electronic GCUSquare-wave PWM modulation
Idle Duty Cycle (Warm Engine)Pre-heating Phase Current: 15 A - 25 A inrush decaying to 8 A - 12 A holding current per plugNominal baseline at 250–350 bar
Full-Load Duty Cycle (WOT)Threshold for DTC P0671 (Open Circuit): Current draw < 1.0 A during commanded activationMaximum high-speed fuel delivery demand
Low-Pressure Feed SupplyMaximum Permissible Harness Resistance: < 0.3 Ω from GCU output pin to Cylinder 1 glow plug terminalMeasured at pump fuel inlet
Internal Cascade BackpressureMaximum Breakaway Shear Torque: M8 threads = 20-25 Nm; M10 threads = 35-40 Nm (never exceed to prevent snapping!)Controlled by overflow cascade valve
PROCEDURAL PROTOCOL

Protocollo di Diagnosi d'Officina Passo Passo

STEP 1

Measure Cylinder 1 Glow Plug Resistance In-Place

Turn ignition OFF and pull the electrical connector cap off the Cylinder 1 glow plug. Set a digital multimeter to the lowest resistance scale (200 Ω) and zero the test leads. Touch one probe to the glow plug center terminal pin and the other probe to clean metal on the cylinder head. A healthy standard plug reads 0.6-1.2 Ω (low-voltage ceramic reads 0.3-0.5 Ω). An infinite reading (OL / > 10 Ω) confirms that the glow plug filament is burned open and must be replaced.

STEP 2

Test Harness Voltage Output from Glow Control Unit

Connect a 12V test light (or digital multimeter) between the Cylinder 1 glow plug harness cap and cylinder head ground. Turn ignition ON with a cold engine. The test light must illuminate brightly (or multimeter show battery voltage / PWM pulse) for 2 to 5 seconds. If power is present at the cap but the plug is open, replacing the plug resolves the issue.

STEP 3

Harness Continuity & Load Test to GCU

If no voltage was measured at the harness cap, disconnect the output connector at the Glow Control Unit. Using a digital multimeter, test continuity on the wire from the GCU Channel 1 pin to the Cylinder 1 glow plug connector (must read < 0.3 Ω). Perform a dynamic load test using a 21W automotive bulb to verify that the wire can support current without high-resistance voltage drops.

STEP 4

Test Glow Plug Terminal Ground Path Through Cylinder Head

Measure resistance between the outer hexagonal steel body of the glow plug and the battery negative terminal. Resistance must be < 0.1 Ω. If excessive resistance is found, corrosion or thread sealant on the glow plug threads is preventing electrical ground return.

STEP 5

Safe Removal & Torque Limit Inspection

If replacing the plug, warm the engine to operating temperature (> 80°C). Spray high-grade penetrating fluid around the glow plug base. Use a calibrated torque wrench set to 20 Nm (M8) or 35 Nm (M10). Gently apply counter-clockwise pressure. If the plug turns freely, remove it; if it binds, turn it back clockwise slightly and re-apply penetrating fluid to work carbon out of the threads.

STEP 6

New Glow Plug Installation & Thread Preparation

Before installing a new glow plug, ream the carbon out of the glow plug aperture using an OEM reamer tool greased to catch carbon flakes. Apply a tiny smear of high-temperature ceramic anti-seize paste to the threads (avoiding the heating tip). Tighten to specified factory torque (typically 12-15 Nm for M8, 15-20 Nm for M10).

COMPONENT-LEVEL REPAIR

Riparazione hardware e distinta base componenti

Cylinder 1 Cold-Start Preheating Subsystem

Bosch Duraterm High-Efficiency Glow Plug - Cylinder 1

0 250 403 008 / Beru GE101 / OEM Glow Plug

Reaches 1,000°C tip temperature within 3 seconds to facilitate compression ignition

OEM: Protocol: Check resistance with digital multimeter: normal is 0.5 - 1.2 ohms; replace if open circuit (>10 ohms)
Glow Plug Wiring Harness Single-Terminal Push-On Boot

OEM Silicone Glow Cap Wire Repair Pigtail

Provides corrosion-resistant high-current contact to the glow plug terminal pin

OEM: Protocol: Replace if silicone boot is hardened, cracked, or loose on the plug tip
High-Temperature Ceramic Assembly Paste (Metal-Free)

Beru GKF01 / Liqui Moly 3418 Ceramic Paste

Prevents galvanic corrosion and thread seizure between glow plug steel threads and aluminum cylinder head

OEM: Protocol: Mandatory application to threads and shaft during installation
Workshop Technical & Economic Benchmark: Installation torque: 15 - 18 Nm; Breakaway torque limit: 35 Nm (NEVER exceed 35 Nm to avoid shearing the plug); Long-reach thin-wall 8mm/10mm glow plug socket.
LIVE WORKSHOP TOOL

Calcolatore interattivo tolleranze Common Rail

Glow Plug Resistance & Current Draw Inspector

Test resistance across glow plug terminal to cylinder head ground: Healthy plugs read 0.5 - 1.2 ohms. If reading OL (infinity), the internal heater filament is severed.

📐 Factory Engineering Tolerance: Normal Glow Plug Resistance: 0.5 - 1.2 Ohms (Cold)
OEM REPLACEMENTS

Componenti di iniezione associati

The following genuine OEM fuel pumps and common rail injectors are verified factory equipment for engines reporting fault protocol P0671. Cross-reference operating pressures and tightening torques before sub-assembly replacement:

Common Rail Injector

0445110021BOSCH

BOSCH 0445110021 - F9Q 1.9 dCi Common Rail Injector

View Technical Specs & Fitment →
Common Rail Injector

0445110239BOSCH

0445110239 Injector: PSA 1.6 HDi Ford 1.6 TDCi Specs

View Technical Specs & Fitment →
Common Rail Injector

0445110369BOSCH

0445110369 Injector: VW 2.0 TDI EA189 CFFB CFHC Specs

View Technical Specs & Fitment →
Common Rail Injector

0445116024BOSCH

BOSCH 0445116024 Common Rail Piezo Injector for BMW N47 2.0d & N57 3.0d

View Technical Specs & Fitment →
CALIBRATION RELEARN

Reset adattamento pompa AP & Ciclo di apprendimento

Following the replacement of the Cylinder 1 glow plug or harness repair for DTC P0671:

1. Clear all stored trouble codes from the Engine Control Module using an OBD-II diagnostic tool.

2. Access ECM Special Functions -> 'Glow Plug Adaptation / Reset Learned Resistance' (if required on vehicle platform).

3. Switch ignition OFF and leave undisturbed for 30 seconds to allow the ECM and GCU to register the cleared fault status.

4. Perform a cold soak test: let the engine cool, switch ignition ON, and verify that the spiral glow light illuminates and turns off normally.

5. Start the engine and verify smooth combustion on Cylinder 1 without cold-start shaking or white smoke.

DIFFERENTIAL DIAGNOSIS

Diagnosi differenziale e codici correlati

P0672

Cylinder 2 Glow Plug Circuit / Open

P0670

Glow Plug Module Control Circuit / Open

P0301

Cylinder 1 Misfire Detected

P0380

Glow Plug/Heater Circuit 'A' Malfunction

FIELD REPAIR REPORTS

Casi pratici d'officina

CASE #1

2015 Volkswagen Golf 1.6 TDI (EA288 CLHA)(168,000 km)

Reported Complaint:Prolonged cold morning cranking (5 seconds) with cloud of white exhaust smoke on startup; yellow check engine light with P0671.
Teardown Root Cause:Multimeter resistance test: Cylinder 1 glow plug read OL (open circuit infinity), while Cylinders 2, 3, and 4 read 0.8 Ohms (perfect).
Repair Solution:Warmed engine to 80°C, applied penetrant oil, set torque wrench limit to 30 Nm, and smoothly unthreaded plug 1 without binding. Installed replacement Bosch plug with Beru ceramic paste, torqued to 15 Nm. Sub-zero cold start was instantaneous with P0671 resolved.
DIAGNOSTIC FAQ

Domande tecniche frequenti

Cosa significa il codice guasto motore P0671?

Il codice di guasto diagnostico (DTC) P0671 indica che la centralina controllo motore (ECM/PCM) o il modulo elettronico di controllo preriscaldo (GCU) ha rilevato un circuito aperto, una resistenza elettrica anomala o un'interruzione di continuità circoscritta specificamente al circuito della candeletta del cilindro 1. Nei moderni motori diesel common rail, ogni candeletta riceve un'alimentazione di corrente commutata e monitorata singolarmente dalla centralina candelette. Durante le fasi di preriscaldo e post-riscaldo, lo shunt amperometrico integrato dedicato al cilindro 1 rileva un passaggio di corrente prossimo allo zero (< 1,0 A) durante l'attivazione, indicando l'interruzione del filamento riscaldante interno alla candeletta, un connettore scollegato o un'interruzione nel cablaggio elettrico.

Quali sono i sintomi più frequenti di P0671?

Check Engine Light (MIL) and amber spiral glow plug indicator illuminated on the dashboard, Engine stumbling, rough idle, and misfiring on Cylinder 1 for 15-45 seconds following a cold start, Puffs of unburned white or grey exhaust smoke during cold starting with a strong smell of raw diesel fuel, Slightly longer cranking time before the engine fires up when temperatures are near or below freezing, Active DPF soot regeneration blocked on some vehicle platforms, leading to eventual soot accumulation, Diagnostic scan tool reports 'Cylinder 1 Glow Plug Circuit Open / Electrical Malfunction'.

Cosa causa P0671 in un motore diesel?

Burned out, fractured, or open internal heating filament inside the Cylinder 1 glow plug; Loose, disconnected, or corroded electrical connector cap on the Cylinder 1 glow plug terminal; Broken, chafed, or melted wiring harness wire between the Glow Control Unit and Cylinder 1 glow plug; Blown internal output driver MOSFET channel for Cylinder 1 inside the Glow Control Unit (GCU); Severe carbon buildup or corrosion on the glow plug threads preventing adequate electrical grounding to the cylinder head; Water intrusion in the glow plug harness boots causing terminal pin oxidation and contact loss.

È sicuro guidare con il codice P0671 attivo?

🟡 Attenzione: Modalità emergenza / Rivolgersi a officina

Quanto costa riparare il codice di guasto P0671?

I costi tipici di riparazione per il codice P0671 dipendono dalla causa principale e dal livello di diagnosi: Livello 1 (Manutenzione minore / Fai da te): 25 € - 60 €: Sostituzione fai-da-te della candeletta cilindro 1 con ricambio Bosch/NGK/BERU (Pulizia sensore, sostituzione filtro carburante, controllo fusibili o contatti cablaggio.); Livello 2 (Sostituzione componente): 90 € - 220 €: Sostituzione di tutte e 4 le candelette per prevenire guasti a catena (Sostituzione singolo componente (valvola regolatrice, unità dosatrice o iniettore revisionato).); Livello 3 (Gruppo principale): 350 € - 850 €: Manodopera specializzata con estrattori dedicati per rimuovere la candeletta grippata o spezzata nella testata (Revisione pompa alta pressione, set iniettori nuovi o sostituzione gruppo DPF.). Tariffe indicative di officina. Oltre il 70% dei casi si risolve al Livello 1 o 2 senza sostituire interi sottogruppi.

Can I continue driving with DTC P0671 active?

Yes, once the engine is warm, the glow plug plays no role in normal combustion, so the vehicle will drive with normal power and economy. However, in cold weather, the engine will start hard with Cylinder 1 misfiring and smoking. Additionally, some vehicles disable DPF regeneration while any glow plug code is active, which will eventually clog the DPF.

Should I replace all glow plugs when only Cylinder 1 has code P0671?

Yes, strongly recommended. All glow plugs endure the exact same number of thermal cycles, cold starts, and combustion exposures. When one plug burns open, the remaining plugs are usually near the end of their operational lifespan.

Can I test the glow plug without removing it from the engine?

Yes! Simply unplug the wiring cap from the top of the Cylinder 1 glow plug. Use a digital multimeter on the 200 Ω scale: place the positive probe on the center terminal pin and the negative probe on the engine cylinder head metal. If it reads OL (infinite resistance), the plug is 100% burned out and must be replaced.