P0617: Starter relay: circuit high
The ECU sees a voltage that is too high in the starter relay circuit. Usually a broken wire, a short to a positive feed or the relay.
| Code | P0617 |
|---|---|
| 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 P0617 means
The ECU monitors the voltage in the circuit that drives the starter relay. This code means the voltage is higher than expected, as if the circuit were open or getting power when it should not. In some cases the starter motor can stay engaged.
Most common causes
- Relay wire broken or plug disconnected
- Relay wire shorted to another positive wire
- Faulty or stuck starter relay
- Corroded relay plug
- Ignition key or start button sticking in the start position
Symptoms
- Engine warning light on
- Car does not start
- Starter keeps turning after the engine starts, or unusual starter noise
Can you drive with P0617?
With care If you hear the starter still turning with the engine running, stop and do not carry on, as it can be damaged. Otherwise you can drive to a garage.
Open the bonnetthe in-depth explanation
How to check it
Listen for whether the starter keeps whirring after the engine fires. Check the relay is properly seated and that the key or start button springs back on its own.
How to read and clear P0617 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 P0617 with its description and whether it’s confirmed, pending or permanent.
If the engine stores it over standard OBD, with FREE you read this code with its explanation for nothing and clear it. With PRO you also read the faults of every control unit and clear them in all of them.
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 an inspection. It’s all in how to read and clear fault codes and in inspections and OBD.
Similar codes
- P0613 The gearbox control unit processor is not working properly
- P0614 The engine control unit and the gearbox control unit are incompatible
- P0615 Starter relay: circuit fault
- P0616 Starter relay: circuit low
- P0618 The alternative fuel control unit has a fault in the memory that retains
- P0619 The alternative fuel control unit has a RAM or ROM memory fault
- P061A The internal control unit torque gives readings outside the normal range
- P061B The engine control unit is calculating engine torque incorrectly
- 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
What does code P0617 mean?
The ECU monitors the voltage in the circuit that drives the starter relay. This code means the voltage is higher than expected, as if the circuit were open or getting power when it should not. In some cases the starter motor can stay engaged.
Can you drive with P0617?
If you hear the starter still turning with the engine running, stop and do not carry on, as it can be damaged. Otherwise you can drive to a garage.
How do you clear P0617?
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, P0617 comes back.
Read it on your car
Final OBD reads and clears engine faults through standard OBD for free, each one explained in plain English. With PRO it also reads the faults of every control unit, each make’s own codes included, and clears them in all of them.
