BOBCAT-P0380 serious Bobcat ›

Glow Plug / Heater Circuit A Malfunction

The BOBCAT-P0380 (Bobcat) diesel fault code means: Glow Plug / Heater Circuit A Malfunction. This is a serious severity code.

Unverified. We could not confirm this code's definition against freely available manufacturer documentation, so treat the meaning, severity and fix guidance on this page as unconfirmed. Check it against the manufacturer's service information for your exact model and serial range before acting on it. This page is kept out of search engines for that reason, and we are working through this family manual by manual.

My Garage →
Keep driving?
Yes, but fix soon
DIY difficulty
beginner
Estimated cost
$80-$350

What Are the Symptoms of BOBCAT-P0380?

  • Hard cold start
  • White smoke at startup
  • Wait-to-start lamp stays on

What Causes BOBCAT-P0380? (Most Likely First)

  • Failed glow plug relay (common on Bobcat S-series) Very Likely
  • One or more failed glow plugs Likely
  • Corroded glow plug harness under valve cover Possible

Can I Still Drive with BOBCAT-P0380?

Yes, but fix soon. BOBCAT-P0380 is rated serious severity. It is not an immediate stop-driving fault, but it will not clear itself — book the repair rather than ignoring it.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Bobcat code P0380?

Bobcat P0380: Glow Plug / Heater Circuit A Malfunction. This code is reported on Bobcat equipment running the described engine family.

Can I keep working with Bobcat code P0380?

Usually drivable short-term, but fix soon to avoid derate or DPF issues.

How much does Bobcat P0380 cost to fix?

Estimated repair cost: $80-$350. Off-road diesel shop labor runs $125-$175/hr in 2026. Dealer diagnostic software (Bobcat Service Analyzer) is usually required.

Mechanics Guide Step-by-step diagnosis

How Do You Diagnose BOBCAT-P0380?

  1. Current-clamp glow plug feed during key-on -- expect 40-80 A briefly on 4-cyl.

  2. Ohm-test each glow plug at the tip (spec ~0.5-2 ohm cold).

  3. Check relay output voltage with key-on engine-off.

Sources 1

This page is built from documented references. Verify against your own service info before repair work.

  • SAE J2012Diagnostic Trouble Code Definitions (defines P0380 as a generic OBD-II code)

P0380 on Other Platforms

The same code ID appears across other engines, vehicles, and equipment. Diagnostic flow varies by platform — see the matching breakdown:

Gas / Automotive (OBD-II) Generic OBD-II definition for P0380 Duramax moderate Glow Plug/Heater Circuit "A" Kubota moderate Glow Plug / Heater Circuit 'A' Malfunction PACCAR minor Glow Plug Control Circuit Power Stroke moderate Glow Plug/Heater Circuit "A" Yanmar serious Glow Plug / Heater Circuit A Malfunction

Which Vehicles Commonly Get BOBCAT-P0380?

  • Bobcat S650 skid steer loader (Kubota V3800)
  • Bobcat S740 / S750 / S770 / S850 skid steer loaders (Kubota V3800)
  • Bobcat T650 / T750 / T770 / T870 compact track loaders (Kubota V3800)
  • Bobcat E50 / E55 / E60 / E85 mini excavators (Kubota V3800)
  • Bobcat UW56 utility vehicle (Kubota V3800)
  • Bobcat S185 / S205 skid steer loaders (Perkins 854E - legacy)
  • Bobcat S250 / S300 / S330 skid steer loaders (Perkins 854E - legacy)
  • Bobcat T190 / T250 / T300 track loaders (Perkins 854E - legacy)

Explore More

More Bobcat codes → Diesel home All diesel codes Heavy-duty Guides

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