P0676 Duramax: Underlying Causes And What You Can Do To Solve It
The P0676 Duramax error code is nothing new in the car world but what does it mean? In short, this code entails that the glow plug box of your car has reached the end of its life span.
The code is a sign of many technical issues, such as the plug circuit not functioning or issues with the wiring, which might cause a little burning.
Here we’ll go into depth about what causes this code and what steps you can take to remedy it. Once you go through this article, you should have a broader, if not then a general, understanding of the P0676 Duramax code.
Causes And Solution Of P0676 Duramax Problems
From the 2006 Duramax p0676 to the 2012 Duramax p0676, the causes for this error code remain the same.
The following will define the causes and introduce ways to figure out what’s actually causing this code to appear to do this. You may need a DVOM device and OBD scanner.
Check out the following table on the error code
Causes | Symptoms |
Damaged Wire connectors | Engine unable to start |
Faulty plug module | Engine low on power |
Shorted plug circuit | Stalling car acceleration |
Faulty cylinder plug | Colder cylinder temperature |
Now, let’s get more in-depth about this error code.
Wire Connection
When it comes to dealing with electronic errors, the simplest thing to do is to check whether the wires are all connected properly. Open up your relay to see the wires that connect to your glow plug.
Use your digital meter to measure the resistance by placing it on the first buss bar wire. If the meter shows a resistance that is greater than 2, then congratulations, you just found the problem.
Solution: You’ll now need to get new wires to connect to the glow plug, and the issue should resolve. Reconnecting loose wires should also fix the problem. Connect your scanner to the OBD port after checking for any more loose wires and clear the code.
Module Malfunction
Most diesel-run cars will have a control module that contains all the glow plugs. This can make it more challenging for you to see when one of your glow plugs goes terrible.
So what do you do in this situation? One way to identify a faulty plug is if there’s white smoke along with a burning smell.
Solution: If only one or two glow plugs have gone bad, then the plugs are faulty, but if more have degraded, the issue lies with your glow plug module. This means you might have to install a new glow plug control module.
A faulty module will cause your engine to start slow in warmer temperatures, and the engine will fail entirely when it gets colder.
Plug Short Circuit
Glow plugs have tips connected to a combustion chamber that heats up the fuel when the temperature is low. This heating procedure helps to start up the car, but it can have the opposite effect.
A glow plug that has short-circuited will be unable to heat up the mixture in the combustion chamber and might end up burning out the controls for the glow plug.
Also Read: P1093 Duramax Error Code And Their Solutions
Solution: You might hear a sizzling sound when a plug has short-circuited and this means that the wire connecting to the plug is also burning up.
To fix this issue, have a new circuit installed as fast as you can. You might need to change wires damaged by the sizzling plugs too.
Broken Cylinder
A p0676 Duramax lmm may also occur when the ECU detects an issue with the sixth cylinder of your engine. The glow plug that has exceeded its range of mileage may malfunction, causing a problem with the cylinder.
This might happen even before it completed its 100,000-mile lifespan. When you get the error code it could mean a few things, mainly that your cylinder has been damaged.
Solution: These cylinders are needed to be in perfect shape as they help to start up your car when the engine gets cold or if the weather reads a low temperature.
Not fixing these cylinders will keep the engine from heating up. A quick trip to the mechanic will be enough to repair them unless you need to buy new ones.
These are some of the few ways to fix the error code, and even though you can fix it, it isn’t something you should be taken lightly.
There might be severe damage to the engine, so you should take your car to your mechanic as fast as possible.
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What does the engine code P0676 mean?
This means that your engine will be unable to start in some weather conditions. The engine won’t be able to heat up by itself, and if it does, it might take some time. The most common cause for this error is usually a faulty glow plug.
How Do I Fix Code P0676?
Check your wires and look for a loose or broken connection. Make sure that your plugs are without any damage every once in a while. Have it serviced regularly or have a mechanic look at it often.
Where is the number 6 glow plug on Duramax?
The no.6 glow plug is usually on the driver’s side. Depending on left or right-handed steering, the location may vary. It’s the 3 plugs on the driver’s side.
Conclusion
Maintaining a car can be quite a big headache. P0676 Duramax is one of the many problems that could lead to an even bigger issue. Hopefully, this information brings some use to you and helps you keep your car in shape.
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D Conroy
Meet our senior writer and content manager of Automasterx. He has worked in several mechanical garages and mastered different vehicle diagnoses and parts repair. He never stops until finding out the ultimate solutions for any vehicle fault code. However, ensuring the only solid solutions for each vehicle malfunction is his core part of the duty, alongside analyzing fault codes and signals.