Starter Relay A Circuit Low
What it means
P0616 means the ECM detected a low-voltage (short-to-ground) condition on the starter relay control circuit. Because this circuit energizes the starter, the fault can cause a no-crank or intermittent starting problem. It's usually a shorted relay or wiring, and less often the ECM's control driver.
Can I keep driving? The engine may not crank or start — treat it as a no-start risk and get it diagnosed before you rely on the vehicle.
Real-world scan data
Appears alongside · share of P0616 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 does not crank, or cranks only intermittently
- Single click when turning the key or pressing start
- No power reaching the starter motor
- Check-engine light on
Common causes
Most likely first
- Faulty starter relay (shorted internally)Likely
- Short to ground in the starter relay control wiringCommon
- Corroded or loose connector at the relayCommon
- Less commonly, a faulty ECM control driverLess often
How to diagnose & fix
Work through it in order
- Read freeze-frame data and check for related no-crank symptoms.
- Inspect the starter relay control wiring for a short to ground.
- Swap in a known-good relay or test the relay's coil and contacts.
- Check the relay connector and control-side wiring for corrosion.
- Replace the relay or repair the wiring, then clear the code and re-test.
FAQ
Quick answers
Is it safe to drive with P0616?+
Can I just clear P0616?+
Related codes
Read & clear P0616 yourself
Scan your car, confirm the code, and clear it once it's fixed — with OBD DashX on your phone.