P0617 means Starter Relay Circuit High. The starter relay control circuit voltage is higher than expected, as if it were shorted to voltage, which can mean the starter is being commanded when it should not be. It is a generic OBD-II code, so the definition is the same on any make, but the most likely cause varies by engine; confirm with a scan tool and the service information for your vehicle before buying parts.
What P0617 means
Modern vehicles have many control modules that share information over a network, usually called the CAN bus. Codes starting with U mean a module has stopped hearing another one, and voltage and processor codes mean a module is not getting clean power or has an internal fault. Low battery voltage, poor grounds, blown fuses and damaged wiring cause many of these codes, so test the battery and charging system first.
P0617 symptoms
- Starter grinding or running after the engine starts on some vehicles
- Check engine light
- Intermittent starting problems
Common causes of P0617
- Shorted wiring to voltage
- Stuck relay
- Faulty ignition or range switch input
How to diagnose P0617
- Check whether the starter keeps running after start
- Test the relay and control circuit
- Check the range or clutch switch signal
Can you drive with P0617?
Avoid driving if the starter keeps engaging; it can damage the starter and flywheel.
P0617 tips
If the starter keeps running after the engine starts, stop the engine and disconnect the battery until it is repaired, to avoid damaging the starter and flywheel.
Will P0617 clear itself?
If the fault stops, the computer turns off the check engine light by itself after several drive cycles without seeing it again, and the code stays in memory as history for a while. Clearing P0617 with a scan tool after a repair is fine, but if the cause is still there the code returns, sometimes within one drive. Disconnecting the battery also clears codes on most vehicles, but it erases learned fuel trims and idle settings as well.
Related codes
| Code | Meaning |
|---|---|
| P0615 | Starter Relay Circuit |
| P0616 | Starter Relay Circuit Low |
| P0563 | System Voltage High |
Guides that help
When it is more than a sensor
Voltage and network codes come from wiring, the battery, the charging system or a module, not from engine or transmission wear. If a lost-communication code has left the transmission in limp mode, rule out the module and wiring before deciding the unit has failed, and see our transmissions only if testing confirms internal damage.
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