P0615 Error Code Explained — Causes and Solutions

1. P0615 Error Code Explained — Causes and Solutions Modern cars are full of fail-safe systems put in place to protect the car, but also save the driver from accidentally doing something that would impact the car’s ability to drive. The starter relay is one such device that is found in vehicles that have an automatic transmission. When this relay fails or experiences a malfunction, it will trigger the P0615 check engine light code. Once triggered, this code may or may not prevent you from starting the car. This depends on your car’s make and model. In this guide, we’ll go through the main causes of this code, what symptoms to look for and what you can do to fix it. What Is the P0615 Code? The P0615 code is defined as “Starter Relay Circuit,” which doesn’t really say much. However, what this means is that your starter relay has experienced a malfunction. The key is figuring out whether that malfunction has to do with the relay itself, or some other componentthat is on the same circuit. So, what is a starter relay? The main purpose of this component is to prevent the car from starting when it is in gear. In manual cars, if you start the engine in gear without depressing the clutch, you’ll stall the car. With automatics, it’s a bit more problematic. That’s why car manufacturers use the starter relay to prevent such scenarios from happening. The way it works is simple. When the car is off the relay is also in the OFF position. Or at least it should be. The trouble starts when the vehicle is in gear and the relay is in the ON position. Depending on what you drive, you’ll get a check engine light in combination

2. with disabled ignition. However, some cars will actually start in gear when the starter relay is in the ON position. What Causes the P0615 Code? There are several things that can cause this code to pop up in your logs. Just like with most things electrical, you need to check the whole thing from the battery to the part that is triggering the error. Here is a list of things that are known to cause the P0615 code: Bad PNP relay Blown fuse Faulty ignition switch An electrical short in the system • • • • Symptoms of P0615 Code and Common Diagnostic Mistakes As we’ve mentioned earlier, this code has different symptoms depending on what car you drive. Where almost all makes and models will register a fault code, some will also experience a no-crank condition that is constant or intermittent. The latter only adds to the confusion when attempting to diagnose the issue. Speaking of diagnostics, it’s very easy to get sidetracked when dealing with P0615. When experiencing a failure to crank, let alone start the car, many people turn straight towards the battery. If that’s fine, the next suspect is usually the starter motor. While flat batteries and failed starter motors are guaranteed to cause a no-crankor intermittent no-crank condition, you should hold off on pulling out the parts canon just yet. Instead, approach the diagnostic process by first inspecting the easiest thing to replace — the fuse. How to Diagnose the P0615 Code? Let’s talk diagnostics. The P0615 code is a great example of a DTC that can lead you down a completely wrong diagnostic path unless you do your due diligence, plug that OBD-II scanner in your car, andrun a full scan. Without doing so, it’s extremely easy to attribute the no-crank condition to a bad starter motor. Before you know it, you’re neck deep in your engine bay trying to reach it only to find out that you’ve been looking in the wrong place all along. To avoid that, we suggest following this simple process. Check the Fuses Once you’ve run your scan and seen the P0615 code logged by your ECU, the first thing you should do is check the fuses. This only takes a minute, but it could very well be the solution to your problem. Find your car’s fuse box diagram and locate the starter circuit fuse. Closely inspect the fuse for damage. If there isn’t any, it’s time to move on to the next potential culprit. Check the Starter Relay

3. Next up is the starter relay. Consult your trusty service manual to find the exact location of the relay. Once you’ve uncovered it, remove the relay from the tray and get it on a bench. To test the relay, you’ll need a multimeter and a 12V power source. Now find the power leads on the relay. Either consult your service manual or go by trial and error. Connect the power wires to a pair of tabs until you hear it clicking. If you’ve tested all possible combinations of the relay tabs, and you’ve heard no clicking, that relay is most likely gone. However, if you’ve found a pair that does make the relay click, you’re not in the clear just yet. Take your multimeter and touch the probes to the remaining two tabs. If you hear the sound coming from the multimeter, you have continuity while the relay is open and your problem is somewhere else. If you don’t hear anything, chances are that the relay is no longer good. In case the relay is good, and your fuses are all in good condition, your next step would be to carefully inspect your entire starter circuit beginning with the ignition switch. Can You Drive with P0615? Depending on your car’s make and model, there’s a chance that you could get your car started. If you can start it, you can drive it. However, it’s recommended that you figure out what’s causing the P0615 code sooner rather than later. Get Quality Parts for Your Car Here at eEuroparts.com, we carry everything you need to fix the P0615 code on your European car. To find what you need, head over to our shop, select your vehicle using our vehicle selector tool and search for parts. Our system will only return parts that are a guaranteed fit for your vehicle. It’s that simple!