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P0671 — Cylinder 1 Glow Plug Circuitopen

Generic OBD-II · all makesPowertrain (engine & transmission)

OBD-II code P0671 indicates that the engine control module has detected an open circuit in the glow plug system for cylinder 1. An open circuit means the electrical path is broken, preventing the glow plug from heating the combustion chamber to assist in cold starting.

Symptoms

What causes it — most likely first

1. Failed cylinder 1 glow plug

The internal heating element of the glow plug itself has burned out or fractured, creating an open circuit. This is the most common cause.

2. Corroded or loose connector

The electrical terminal connecting the wiring harness to the cylinder 1 glow plug is corroded, pushed back, or loose, breaking the electrical path.

3. Broken or chafed wiring

The wire supplying voltage to the cylinder 1 glow plug has been physically damaged, rubbed through, or broken due to engine vibration and heat.

4. Faulty glow plug relay or module

A failed glow plug control module or relay may not supply the necessary voltage to the specific cylinder, though this often affects multiple cylinders.

5. Failed Engine Control Module (PCM/ECM)

The engine computer has an internal driver failure preventing it from monitoring or powering the cylinder 1 glow plug circuit. This is extremely rare.

How it's diagnosed

  1. Scan for additional glow plug codes; if multiple cylinders are affected, test the global fuse, relay, or glow plug control module first.
  2. Disconnect the cylinder 1 glow plug electrical connector and use a multimeter to measure the resistance between the glow plug terminal and engine ground; infinite resistance confirms a failed glow plug.
  3. Inspect the cylinder 1 glow plug connector for corrosion, melting, or pushed-back terminals, and clean or repair as necessary.
  4. With the ignition on and the glow plug system commanded active, check for battery voltage at the cylinder 1 harness connector.
  5. If the glow plug and connector test fine, perform a continuity test on the control wire from the cylinder 1 connector back to the PCM to locate a hidden wiring break.

Code facts & related codes

SystemPowertrain (engine & transmission)
StandardizationSAE generic — identical on every make

Frequently asked

Can I drive my vehicle with a P0671 code?

Yes, but you may experience difficult cold starts and rough idling until the engine reaches operating temperature. Prolonged driving with a dead glow plug can lead to unburned fuel washing the oil off the cylinder walls, causing premature wear.

Does this code mean my engine computer (PCM/ECM) is bad?

Almost never. Mechanics or online advice sometimes jump to replacing the PCM, but the actual cause is almost always a failed glow plug, a corroded connector, or broken wiring.

Why is only cylinder 1 setting a code?

When only one cylinder triggers an open circuit code, it typically points to an isolated failure of that specific glow plug or the individual wire feeding it, rather than a shared system component like a fuse or main relay.

Is it safe to replace just the one faulty glow plug?

While you can replace just the defective one to clear the code, it is generally recommended to replace all glow plugs at the same time. The others are likely the same age and will fail soon, and mismatched glow plugs can cause uneven combustion.