P0655

Engine Hot Lamp Output Control Circuit

Q: Is it safe to drive with P0655?

The engine itself is unaffected, but the overheat warning lamp may not alert you. Keep an eye on the temperature gauge and fix the circuit soon.

Q: Can I just clear P0655?

It will return until the lamp, wiring, or driver circuit is repaired. Clearing it won't restore the warning function.

ECM output / warning lamp Generic OBD-II High

What it means

P0655 means the ECM detected a fault in the output circuit that drives the engine-hot (overheat) warning lamp. The engine runs normally, but the warning that tells you it is overheating may not work correctly. It is usually a bulb, wiring, or connection fault, with the ECM being the least likely cause.

High

Can I keep driving? Driveable, but the engine-hot warning lamp may not work — watch the temperature gauge yourself so you don't miss an overheat.

Real-world scan data

Seen in

163

scans in the past year

Found in

<0.1%

of scans

0.1%

of scans that found faults

Appears alongside · share of P0655 scans

P226Ain 55.8% of scans

P260Ein 47.2% of scans

P0645in 43.6% 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

Check-engine light on
Engine-hot / overheat warning lamp not working or behaving abnormally
Warning lamp stuck on or flashing when it shouldn't

Common causes

Most likely first

Failed engine-hot indicator bulb/LED or its circuitLikely
Open, shorted, or corroded wiring in the lamp output circuitCommon
Poor connection at the lamp or ECM connectorCommon
Faulty engine control module (ECM), least likelyLess often

How to diagnose & fix

Work through it in order

Read freeze-frame data and confirm the lamp output circuit is at fault.
Check the engine-hot indicator bulb/LED and its socket.
Inspect the lamp output wiring for opens, shorts, or corrosion.
Verify the ECM can drive the lamp circuit; repair wiring or replace the bulb as needed.
Only consider the ECM after the bulb and wiring check out.

FAQ

Quick answers

Is it safe to drive with P0655?+

The engine itself is unaffected, but the overheat warning lamp may not alert you. Keep an eye on the temperature gauge and fix the circuit soon.

Can I just clear P0655?+

It will return until the lamp, wiring, or driver circuit is repaired. Clearing it won't restore the warning function.

Read & clear P0655 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