Xoutpost.com - U0106 Lost Communications with Glow Plug Control Module

Recently our 2009 x5 35d’s CEL came on with the OBDII showing a P067F code — Cylinder 6 Glow Plug Control Circuit High. After reading about this repair, I decided to replace all 6 glow plugs and the control module with the package from ECS Tuning - $312.44

Although I’ve been doing maintenance and repairs to all of our vehicles since the 60’s, this was the first serious repair I’ve done on our 2009 X5 35d. So I took it slow and methodical. I used the excellent post by sgrice to guide me through removing/replacing the intake manifold.
The intake side of the 35d engine is cluttered with various hoses/wires (vacuum, coolant, electrical, etc.) which make reaching the glow plug control module (yellow oval) a tight squeeze.

Wires.jpg

GPModule.jpg

The trickiest part of the process was figuring out how to disconnect the various electrical bits i.e. where to squeeze, poke or prod to get the connector to let go. Never the less, i assumed that connecting them back up would be a snap (pun intended).

GPMClipBefore.jpg

After getting it all back together I cleared the codes and started her back up. The resulting yellow CEL and the OBDII code of U0106 (Lost Communications with Glow Plug Control Module) was like a gut punch.

DTCU0106.jpg

I had checked all the electrical connections w/photos (above) with a WIFI inspection camera and they all looked good. How could I have messed this up? Was the new control module defective? Did I do something to fry it during installation?

The next day, after thinking about what could have gone wrong a lot, I used a long reach 45 degree needle nose plier to pull up on the larger control module connector and a miracle happened.

GMPclipPliers.jpg

After clearing the codes and starting her back up, the yellow CEL went off and there were no confirmed or pending codes :)

DTCAfter.jpg

I’m guessing that the lost communications was because the matching retaining clip on the other side of the large connector had not fully engaged.

p.s. You do NOT have to remove the coolant hoses to replace the glow plug control module. It can be removed and replaced through a slot between the vacuum and coolant hoses. See 2nd photo.