P0617: Starter Relay A Circuit High

The engine module switches the starter relay coil through its own driver – GM petrol engines with 12 V stop-start use a low-side driver, the Saab 9-4X switches 12 V to the coil. CARB requires output components to be checked for open and short circuits. GM sets the codes after two trips on stop-start engines, while GM diesels (2016) and the Saab 9-4X store them without the check engine light. At Ford an active starter code blocks stop-start. P0617 means the control wire is shorted to battery voltage: GM detects it with the driver on, when the voltage stays high although the driver pulls to ground (40 of 50 samples in 2018 and 2025, 8 of 10 in 2019). With a high-side circuit such as the Saab's, the short can close the relay permanently and keep the starter turning – a risk for starter and ring gear; with a low-side circuit the relay loses its control.

Symptoms

• Engine does not crank, or the starter keeps running
• Stop-start not working
• Battery drained
• Check engine light only with some makers

Most likely causes

• Control wire shorted to a battery feed (harness damage)
• Relay faulty internally (contact to coil, welded)
• Voltage fed in by retrofitted electrics (remote start, alarm)
• Driver in the engine module faulty

What to check, in order

Start with the simplest. You can tick off each step.

1. Check the battery voltage
2. Check the sensor's ground and make sure the signal wire is not receiving voltage from another circuit.
3. Try another key, if you have one
4. Check the fuses and the starter relay
5. Check the wiring and the signal to the starter motor

Good to know

• Repair difficulty: easy

What each character of P0617 means

• P: Powertrain: engine and transmission
• 0: Generic code: same on every make
• 6: Control modules and outputs
• 17: Specific fault in that system

Frequently asked questions

Can I keep driving with code P0617?

If it starts normally you can keep driving, but avoid stopping anywhere you could not get help, because it might not restart.

What causes code P0617?

The most common causes are: control wire shorted to a battery feed (harness damage); relay faulty internally (contact to coil, welded); voltage fed in by retrofitted electrics (remote start, alarm).

Related codes

• P0615Starter Relay A Circuit
• P0616Starter Relay A Circuit Low
• P26E6Starter Relay B Circuit High
• P26F0Starter Relay A Stuck On

Sources

• law.cornell.edu: 13 CCR 1968.2
• gsi.ext.gm.com: 18OBDG03A Engine Diagnostics
• saabwisonline.com: dtc p0615 p0616 or p0617

Values and procedures vary by manufacturer. If it affects brakes, steering, fuel or high voltage, see a professional. Updated: 2026-11-04. How we build these pages.