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.

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' Malfunction 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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