P0616 means Starter Relay Circuit Low. The starter relay control circuit voltage is lower than expected, as if it were shorted to ground or open. 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 P0616 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.
P0616 symptoms
- No crank
- Intermittent starting
- Check engine light
Common causes of P0616
- Shorted or open relay control wiring
- Failed relay
- Poor ground
How to diagnose P0616
- Check the relay and its socket
- Check the control circuit for shorts
- Verify grounds
Can you drive with P0616?
It may run, but restarting is unreliable.
P0616 tips
A corroded relay socket can cause intermittent low-circuit codes; inspect the socket terminals. Water entering the underhood fuse box through a damaged lid or seal is a common source of corrosion, so check the box itself while you are there, and make sure the main ground strap is tight.
Will P0616 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 P0616 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 |
| P0617 | Starter Relay Circuit High |
| P0562 | System Voltage Low |
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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