P0616: Starter relay: circuit low
The ECU sees a voltage that is too low in the starter relay circuit. Usually a wire shorting to earth, the relay or a fuse.
| Code | P0616 |
|---|---|
| System | Engine and transmission |
| Group | P06xx, Control unit and auxiliary outputs |
| Type | Generic: it means the same on every make |
| Can you keep driving? | With care |
What P0616 means
The ECU monitors the voltage in the circuit that drives the starter relay. This code means that voltage is lower than expected. It is nearly always an electrical fault: a wire touching earth, a blown fuse or the relay itself.
Most common causes
- Blown fuse in the starting circuit
- Relay wire chafed and shorting to earth
- Faulty starter relay
- Relay plug corroded or with bent pins
- Very low battery
Symptoms
- Engine warning light on
- Starter motor does not turn
- Intermittent starting
Can you drive with P0616?
With care If the car starts it can be driven, but it may not start again. Get it repaired soon.
How to check it
Check the starter fuse and the battery voltage on the scan tool. If the relay does not click when you try to start, the fault is usually the relay or its supply.
How to read and clear P0616 with Final OBD
Plug an OBD2 scanner in under the steering wheel, switch the ignition on and open Final OBD. Under Faults you’ll see P0616 with this same explanation and whether it’s confirmed, pending or permanent.
With Free you read this code with its short description for nothing, and clear it if the engine stores it over standard OBD. With Pro you get the full explanation, how the car was running when it was logged (revs, temperature, load) and clearing in every control unit.
Clearing the code only turns the light off: if the cause is still there, it comes back. Clear it once it’s fixed, and not right before the ITV. It’s all in how to read and clear fault codes and in the ITV and OBD.
Similar codes
- P0605 Internal control module read only memory (ROM) error
- P0606 ECM/PCM processor fault
- P0607 Control module performance
- P0615 Starter relay: circuit fault
- P0617 Starter relay: circuit high
- P0620 Generator control: circuit fault
- P0621 Generator lamp L control: circuit fault
- P0622 Generator field F control: circuit fault
- P0600 Serial communication link fault
- P0601 Internal control module memory checksum error
- P0602 Control module programming error
- P0603 Internal control module keep alive memory (KAM) error
P0616 is a generic code, so it means the same on any make, for example on Abarth, Cupra, Jeep, Mini, Nissan, Seat. See what Final OBD does on your car in makes and models.
What does code P0616 mean?
The ECU monitors the voltage in the circuit that drives the starter relay. This code means that voltage is lower than expected. It is nearly always an electrical fault: a wire touching earth, a blown fuse or the relay itself.
Can you drive with P0616?
If the car starts it can be driven, but it may not start again. Get it repaired soon.
How do you clear P0616?
With an OBD2 scanner and an app like Final OBD, which clears it for free if it’s stored by the engine control unit. But clearing it only turns the light off: if the cause isn’t fixed, P0616 comes back.
Read it on your car
Final OBD reads the faults of every control unit for free, including each make’s own codes, and with Pro explains each one in plain English. Free clears engine faults at no cost.
Coming soon
Mid to late October 2026
If you want to try it in your car before anyone else, send us your email and we will add you as a tester.
info@finalobd.com