P0617 - Starter Relay 'A' Circuit High
System
Powertrain (Engine & Gearbox)
Technical Description
The control module has detected a fault in the Starter Relay 'A' Circuit High (P0617). The signal is above the upper threshold, typically from an open circuit, poor connection, or a short to battery voltage.
Multimeter Test Points & Nominal Values
| Test Point / Component | Measurement | Nominal Target Range | Test Condition |
|---|---|---|---|
| Starter Relay 'A' Circuit High – Permanent B+ Supply | Voltage (V) | 12.4 - 12.7 V (ignition OFF) / 13.5 - 14.7 V (engine running) | At module supply pins |
| Starter Relay 'A' Circuit High – Ignition-Switched Supply | Voltage (V) | 11.8 - 14.4 V | Ignition ON |
| Starter Relay 'A' Circuit High – Ground Connections Voltage Drop | Voltage (V) | < 0.1 V per ground point | Under load to battery negative |
| Starter Relay 'A' Circuit High – 5 V Reference Outputs | Voltage (V) | 4.95 - 5.05 V per circuit | Ignition ON, sensors unplugged one at a time |
At module supply pins
Ignition ON
Under load to battery negative
Ignition ON, sensors unplugged one at a time
Oscilloscope Waveform Analysis
500 ms/div, 5 V/divPossible Causes
Open circuit on signal wire, spread terminal pin, or short to power feed at Starter Relay 'A' Circuit High
Channel A:Verify dedicated wiring pins and signal pair for circuit A against the schematic.
Chafed or pinched wiring harness along the signal path to Starter Relay 'A' Circuit High
Poor ground connection or excessive voltage drop (> 0.1 V) at the ground point for Starter Relay 'A' Circuit High
Defective internal output driver or reference circuit in the control module for Starter Relay 'A' Circuit High
Symptoms
Recommended Solution
Compare signal voltage and resistance between circuit A and companion circuit B at module connector.
Measure signal terminal voltage with ignition ON and sensor unplugged to determine if ECM pull-up is active or harness is shorted to 12V.
Verify loaded supply voltage and harness terminal pins at Starter Relay 'A' Circuit High.
Check circuit continuity and ground-side voltage drop (< 0.05 V) for Starter Relay 'A' Circuit High.
Inspect module enclosure and connector headers for water ingress, fretting corrosion, or PCB thermal damage.
Mechanic's Tip
When facing a 5V reference supply DTC, never replace the module first. A shorted external sensor (such as A/C pressure or EGR position) drags down the shared 5V internal rail. Unplug sensors one by one until 5V recovers.