Sebring Diesel Glow Plug Issues & Cold Start Troubles

I had a very similar issue with my 2006 Chrysler Stratus diesel. Since I have some hands-on experience with basic repairs, I first tried checking the obvious things myself but eventually needed professional help. The symptoms matched yours exactly, constant preheat light, engine light on, and smoke issues. After a proper diagnostic test at my regular workshop, they found the glow plug wiring harness had deteriorated connection points, causing intermittent contact. This was triggering the engine misfire and cold start problems. The fix involved replacing damaged wiring and a connection plug. Total repair cost was 95€ and took about 2 hours to complete. Since then, no more starting issues or smoke problems. Before suggesting more specific solutions, could you share: Current mileage on your Sebring, When did these symptoms first appear, Any recent work done on the engine, Does the vehicle stalling happen more frequently when the engine is cold or warm This information would help determine if you are dealing with the same root cause or potentially something different. Note that continuing to drive with these symptoms could lead to more serious engine damage, so getting it checked soon would be wise.

Thanks for sharing those details. Currently at 184255 KM on the odometer from my last service. Your solution sounds promising, as my symptoms match closely. Since the heating element and wiring harness seem a common failure point in these diesel engines, a proper diagnostic test would be smart before replacing the entire glow plug control module. The car maintenance costs could get high if multiple components are failing. Would be useful to know if your workshop did resistance testing on individual glow plugs before replacing the wiring? The engine misfire and smoke issues suggest it might be worth checking each plug circuit separately. Has the engine light stayed off since your repair? Mine sometimes clears briefly but always returns within a day or two of driving.

The engine light has stayed completely off since the wiring repair on my Stratus. The workshop did perform resistance testing on each glow plug heating element before touching the wiring, it was actually part of their diagnostic test process and helped pinpoint the exact connection issues. Your mileage is pretty close to where mine was when these problems started. The intermittent engine light behavior you describe matches what I experienced before the repair. The glow plugs themselves tested fine, but the faulty wiring connections were causing irregular voltage readings. A cold start test confirmed the problems were worse before the engine reached operating temperature. The smoke during acceleration cleared up completely after fixing the connection issues. The total diagnostic test and repair ended up being much cheaper than replacing the entire glow plug control unit. Based on your description, I would recommend getting the wiring checked first. My mechanic mentioned these connection problems are quite common at this mileage point. The repair has held up well for over 40k km now with no recurring issues.

Thanks for your details about the wiring repair solution. At 184255 KM, my vehicle is definitely in the age range where these issues commonly appear. Your experience with the glow plug wiring diagnosis makes a lot of sense. My cold start and vehicle stalling problems seem very similar. Since the heating element and control unit components are expensive, starting with a full diagnostic test of the wiring harness and resistance checks would be the smart approach to car maintenance. Hearing that your engine light has stayed off since the repair is encouraging. The workshop I use does resistance testing, so I will schedule an appointment to have them check each glow plug circuit before replacing any major parts. The smoke during acceleration and intermittent engine light behavior match exactly what you described before your repair. I will update once I get the diagnostic results and repair completed. The total cost estimate seems reasonable compared to replacing the full control unit. Hopefully addressing any wiring issues will resolve the problems like it did in your case.