P263CGlow Plug Control Driver Performance
- Generic OBD-II code · Powertrain
- Turns on the check-engine light
- Matters for the ITP
- How the car detects it
- Modern diesel glow systems switch each plug through a semiconductor driver inside a glow plug control module (GPCM). P263C reports that such a driver does not behave as commanded. Ford's 6.7 L and 3.0 L Power Stroke GPCM talks to the engine module over a private CAN bus and flags any internal output, whether it serves the plugs, the DEF heaters or a relay, that fails to switch or overheats for more than 1 s; Ford's 2013 summary prints the code with a typo as P26C3. GM's 6.6 L L5P files comparable driver faults under P064C instead. Separate codes exist for the module as a whole (P064C, P06E5), its overheating (P263E) and open plugs (P0671 ff.). CARB counts all glow plugs as one monitored component. Expect slow cold starts and white smoke.
- What you may notice
- Check engine light, glow indicator may flash
- Hard or long cranking when cold
- White smoke and rough running after a cold start
- Likely causes
- LikelyOutput stage inside the glow plug control module failed
- PossibleGlow plug or plug wire with short, overloading the driver
- RarePoor GPCM power feed or ground causing erratic switching
- Inspection (ITP)
- Matters for the ITP. While the check-engine light is on, the car fails the emissions check.
- Repair
- Medium · Usually a job for a workshop.Typical cost: €100 – €900
- Related codes
Explanation from obdex (CC0), exactly as the app shows it. Guidance only; confirm with a workshop.