Cylinder 2 Glow Plug Incorrect
What it means
P06C6 is a diesel code meaning the glow plug on cylinder 2 is reading incorrectly — often the wrong plug fitted, or one that's failing and returning out-of-spec resistance. Glow plugs pre-heat the cylinder for cold starting, so the symptoms are hard cold starts, rough cold running, and extra exhaust smoke until it's corrected.
Can I keep driving? Drivable once warm, but expect hard cold starts and rough cold running until the glow plug is corrected.
Real-world scan data
Figures reflect only diagnostic scans recorded through our own apps and tools. Cars are typically scanned because a symptom or warning light prompted it, so these counts describe our scan records — not the incidence of faults in any model, and not the quality, reliability, or safety of any vehicle. No comparison between manufacturers or models is implied. All trademarks belong to their respective owners; no affiliation or endorsement is implied.
Common symptoms
What you'll notice
- Hard starting when the engine is cold
- Rough running and shaking for the first minute after a cold start
- White or grey smoke from the exhaust on cold start-up
- Check-engine (or glow plug) light on
Common causes
Most likely first
- Wrong or out-of-spec glow plug fitted to cylinder 2Likely
- Failed cylinder 2 glow plug reading incorrect resistanceCommon
- Wiring or connector fault altering the cylinder 2 signalCommon
- Faulty glow plug control moduleLess often
How to diagnose & fix
Work through it in order
- Read freeze-frame data and confirm the fault is specific to cylinder 2.
- Check that the correct glow plug part is fitted — a mismatched plug is a common trigger for 'incorrect' faults.
- Measure the cylinder 2 glow plug resistance and compare it with the other plugs.
- Inspect the wiring and connector for corrosion or damage.
- Replace the glow plug with the correct part, or test the control module if all plugs check out. Clear and re-test.
FAQ
Quick answers
Is it safe to drive with P06C6?+
Can I just clear P06C6?+
Related codes
Read & clear P06C6 yourself
Scan your car, confirm the code, and clear it once it's fixed — with OBD DashX on your phone.