P0381 Glow Plug Indicator Circuit Malfunction

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Apr 10, 2008 | 09:47 AM

MLCRI$I$ II

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Tuned

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From: Orange County, FL

P0381 Glow Plug Indicator Circuit Malfunction

Can anyone tell me what needs to be replaced when you pull a PO381 GLOW PLUG INDICATOR CIRCUIT MALFUCTION Code?

Glow plug relay? (got a new one on-hand)
Glow plugs? (got a new set of them too)
Glow plug harness? (ain't got that one...yet)

Thanks guys. Any help is always appreciated.

Ernie.

Apr 10, 2008 | 09:58 AM

papadelogan

Snowboard season cometh..

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From: Gulf Coast of Florida

Check the voltage at the big lugs on your GPR. If you're getting 12v+ on the input side, but nothing on the output side @KOEO (Key On Engine Off) your GPR is toast. Plug her in and keep her warm, and she'll run for you. If you need to replace the GPR, do this one:

Welcome to guzzle's Stancor GPR replacement Mod Web Page

Do it once and pretty much forget about it!!

Apr 10, 2008 | 10:06 AM

PaysonPSD

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From: Payson, AZ

I see you have an EX. Does it have a GPR or a GPCM (Glow Plug Control Mudule)?

Apr 10, 2008 | 10:07 AM

MLCRI$I$ II

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Tuned

Joined: Sep 2005

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From: Orange County, FL

papadelogan,

Thanks for your quick reply. I have a new Stancor on-hand. Was going to install it last weekend but it's going in there tonight for sure. Had cold start issues this winter when temps were down around 20 degrees or less. Rep Points coming!

Ernie.

Apr 10, 2008 | 10:09 AM

MLCRI$I$ II

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Tuned

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From: Orange County, FL

PaysonPSD,

GPR for sure. New one going in tonight. Thanks.

Would this give me a SES light too? Only pulled one code, but had a SES light this morning.

Ernie.

Apr 10, 2008 | 10:21 AM

PaysonPSD

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From: Payson, AZ

Not sure about the SES light. After you change the GPR let us know if the SES light clears. Thanks.

Apr 21, 2008 | 12:07 PM

MLCRI$I$ II

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Tuned

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From: Orange County, FL

SES not from a bad GPR...I think

Quote:

Originally Posted by PaysonPSD

Not sure about the SES light. After you change the GPR let us know if the SES light clears. Thanks.

SES light was not from bad GPR. I have a short somewhere in my fuse panel! Just touching or moving the fuse back and forth sets all the dash lights to flash and put on a real show. Touch certain fuses and the truck shuts down on it's own. Both batteries are disconnected and the next step is to open (split) the fuse panel and look at all the connections.

If you ever heard of this problem on the X...I'm looking for suggestions. Has to be a connection

?

Thanks for all your help.

Ernie.

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Apr 21, 2008 | 02:14 PM

MLCRI$I$ II

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Tuned

Joined: Sep 2005

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From: Orange County, FL

Quote:

Originally Posted by wlihntr

your excursion does not have a GPR it has a glow plug control module

If you are referring to the aluminum module with cooling fins and 2 wiring harnesses plugged into the side....no, I do not have a GPCM on my truck. I have a solenoid with a shunt.

Apr 21, 2008 | 08:06 PM

#10

F350-6

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From: Texas

That's odd. Most Excursions hav the GPCM. Either way it looks like your problem is in the instrument cluster or wiring.
P0381 a Glow Plug Indicator Circuit Malfunction
KD3 DIAGNOSTIC TROUBLE CODE (DTC) P0381
DTC P0381 is set when the PCM detects a malfunction in the glow plug indicator lamp circuit.
Possible causes:
open/grounded circuit
open WAIT TO START light
open fuse. Refer to wiring diagram for fuse number and location.
Key on, engine running.

It's not the glow plugs, GPR/GPCM, it's the circuitry associated with the light. Does your WTS light come on for 1 - 10 seconds as usual?

Since you have seemed to narrow it down to a fuse issue, you might consider removing the fuse panel. The 99 Super Duty's had some issues with a leaking windshield that dripped on the back of the fuse panel. You can look and see if there is any evidence of water on the back of the panel.

Are the fuses loose in the holders or do they just have a bad connection? Any signs of corrosion on the fuse blades?

Apr 22, 2008 | 07:49 AM

#11

MLCRI$I$ II

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Tuned

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From: Orange County, FL

Chris (F350-6)

I am not pulling any trouble codes. When the trucks starts and runs normal the WTS light functions normal. I just touch some of the fuses on the panel and everything shuts down. When it won't start normally after moving fuses around I get a THEFT LIGHT code 16. One blink...pause...six blinks. I don't know that code. Have not found it yet but am search around for the definition. Mess with the fuses a little and all is normal and it starts fine. Just need to touch a fuse or two and everything goes haywire with a dash idiot light show and then dies. Looks like I need to remove the fuse panel torx screws and split the case to see what everything looks like in there. That's where I am at this point. Have a Stancore relay to install but not sure if it will work with the shunt I have on the original solenoid. THANK FOR YOUR ASSIST.

Ernie.

Jun 1, 2011 | 10:06 AM

#12

Caliche4u

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Joined: May 2011

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hi everyone!!
i get a p0381 code, i have checked the fuses, changed fuel pump, new gpr, new fuel filter. the 2002 f 350 7.3l powerstroke diesel truck cranks but it wont start, any help woud be appreciated!!
thank you very much!!