P0615

Starter Relay A Circuit

Starting system Generic OBD-II High

What it means

P0615 means the engine computer detected a fault in the starter relay control circuit. This relay energizes the starter motor when you crank the engine, so a problem here can cause no-crank or intermittent no-start conditions. Start with the relay itself and its wiring — the module rarely fails.

High

Can I keep driving? May not start — this circuit controls the starter relay, so a fault can cause a no-crank/no-start condition; get it fixed before you risk being stranded.

Real-world scan data

Seen in

1,007

scans in the past year

Found in

0.2%

of scans

0.3%

of scans that found faults

Appears alongside · share of P0615 scans

P0617in 26.8% of scans

P1144in 24.3% of scans

P0540in 23.9% of scans

Figures reflect only diagnostic scans recorded through our own apps and tools. Cars are typically scanned because a symptom or warning light prompted it, so these counts describe our scan records — not the incidence of faults in any model, and not the quality, reliability, or safety of any vehicle. No comparison between manufacturers or models is implied. All trademarks belong to their respective owners; no affiliation or endorsement is implied.

Common symptoms

What you'll notice

Engine won't crank or start
Single click or no sound when turning the key/pressing start
Intermittent hard starting
Check-engine light on

Common causes

Most likely first

Failed starter relayLikely
Open, shorted, or corroded wiring in the starter relay control circuitCommon
Loose or corroded connectors or relay socket terminalsCommon
Blown fuse feeding the relay circuitLess often
Failed engine control module (rare — verify wiring first)Less often

How to diagnose & fix

Work through it in order

Read freeze-frame data, then swap in a known-good starter relay (or a matching relay from elsewhere in the box) — a failed relay is the most common cause.
Check the fuse and the relay control and power circuits for opens, shorts, and voltage drops.
Clean and tighten the relay socket terminals and connectors, looking for corrosion.
Verify the ECM is commanding the relay; if the control signal is present but the relay won't pull in, replace the relay. Clear the code and re-test.

FAQ

Quick answers

Is it safe to drive with P0615?+

The bigger risk is not being able to start at all. If the car is currently running, it will keep running, but a starter-relay fault can leave you unable to restart, so treat it as urgent.

Can I just clear P0615?+

Clearing it won't fix the relay or wiring, and the no-start risk remains. Repair the circuit so you aren't stranded.

Read & clear P0615 yourself

Scan your car, confirm the code, and clear it once it's fixed — with OBD DashX on your phone.

▶ Get it on Google Play

✓ Verified name — SAE J2012 / ISO 15031-6Guidance reviewed by OBD DashX