P0615 means Starter Relay Circuit. The computer has detected a fault in the circuit that controls the starter relay. 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 P0615 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.
P0615 symptoms
- No crank or intermittent crank
- Clicking without cranking on some vehicles
- Check engine light
Common causes of P0615
- Failed starter relay
- Wiring or connector fault in the relay control circuit
- Blown fuse
- Range or clutch switch problems that block the start signal
How to diagnose P0615
- Check the starter relay and fuse
- Swap the relay with an identical one as a quick test
- Check the control circuit for power and ground
Can you drive with P0615?
It may run normally, but the engine may not restart reliably.
P0615 tips
Swapping the starter relay with an identical relay in the same fuse box is a quick, free test.
Will P0615 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 P0615 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 |
|---|---|
| P0562 | System Voltage Low |
| P0560 | System Voltage |
| P0230 | Fuel Pump Primary Circuit |
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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