P0615: Problem in the starter relay circuit

Starter relay circuit malfunction

Severity: Inspect soon

A starter relay circuit fault commonly means the engine may not crank. The owners read here describe no-starts and a stall in traffic, so book a check soon.

It gets more serious if:

Stop: The engine stalls while driving or will not crank. A 2022 Yukon owner reports it shifting itself to neutral and stalling on the highway with P0615 stored. Do not keep driving; have it towed or checked where it sits.

Source: how we rate severity

P0615 in short

P0615 means the computer saw a fault in the starter relay circuit. Common causes are a blown fuse, a bad relay, corroded wiring or low battery voltage, and it often shows as a no-crank. It may still drive if it starts, but an engine that stalls needs checking promptly.

The engine computer commands the starter relay and watches the circuit. When what it sees does not match what it commanded, it sets P0615. TroubleCodes.net says the computer detected abnormal voltage in the circuits related to the starter relay.

The effect is usually a no-crank condition, sometimes only now and then. Corroded or loose wiring, a faulty relay, ignition switch or starter solenoid, a blown fuse and low system voltage are the usual suspects, with the computer itself a rare cause.

Two 2020s GM owners tie P0615 to a blown fuse: a 2022 Yukon had a blown fuse in the battery distribution fuse block when P0615 was found, and a 2021 Sierra owner lists P0615 among faults after a blown mega fuse and a burnt fuse block. Those are single owner reports, not a bulletin.

Most likely causes

Cause 1: Damaged, corroded or loose wiring or connectors in the starter relay circuit
Common general cause
Why it ranks here
TroubleCodes.net lists damaged, corroded or disconnected wiring and connectors first for this code and has the technician inspect relay and solenoid terminations.
What would change this
Rises if a visual check or voltage drop test finds corrosion or a poor connection. Falls if the wiring tests good end to end.
Cause 2: Blown fuse or defective starter relay
Supported by vehicle data
Why it ranks here
TroubleCodes.net's first test is the relay fuse and relay. A 2022 Yukon with P0615 had a blown fuse on the battery distribution fuse block, and the repeat failure later involved a blown main battery fuse.
What would change this
Rises if a fuse is open or the relay does not switch when tested. Falls if the fuse and relay test good.
Cause 3: Starter solenoid or ignition switch fault
Common general cause
Why it ranks here
TroubleCodes.net lists the starter solenoid and ignition switch as causes and says the ignition switch is the likely culprit once the relay, wiring and solenoid check out.
What would change this
Rises if jumping the solenoid cranks the engine and wiring and relay are good. Falls if the starter works when jumped and the switch signal is present.
Cause 4: Low system voltage
Common general cause
Why it ranks here
TroubleCodes.net includes low system voltage; a 2022 Yukon owner's first tow was for a low-voltage message and a battery replacement.
What would change this
Rises if the battery tests weak. Falls if battery and charging are good.
Cause 5: Engine computer fault (rare)
Possible — needs testing
Why it ranks here
TroubleCodes.net calls a failed computer a rare cause, so it ranks last.
What would change this
Rises only after the relay, wiring, fuses and switch all test good.
How to test the engine control module (ecm / pcm)

What to test first

Start at step 1. Each result tells you what it means and where to go next.

Step 1: Record every stored code and the freeze-frame data, then check whether the engine cranks.
Low riskTool: OBD-II scan tool
- IfThe engine does not crank, or only sometimes
  It meansCheck the relay fuse next.
  Go to step 2
- IfThe engine cranks normally and the code is intermittent
  It meansLook for a loose connector or corrosion.
  Points to: Damaged, corroded or loose wiring or connectors in the starter relay circuit
Step 2: Check the starter relay fuse and, on trucks with one, the battery feed fuses; replace a blown fuse with the same rating and see whether it blows again.
Use cautionTool: test light or multimeter
Warning:A fuse that blows again points to a short. Do not fit a larger fuse; a bigger rating can let a shorted wire overheat.
- IfA fuse is blown
  It meansA short or a failing part is behind it; find the cause before relying on the repair.
  Points to: Blown fuse or defective starter relay
- IfThe fuses are good
  It meansTest the relay and wiring.
  Go to step 3
Step 3: Test the relay as the manual describes, inspect the terminals between relay and solenoid, and measure voltage drop on the circuit.
Best left to a shopTool: multimeter, service manual
Warning:The battery and starter circuit carry very high current. A shorted tool or wrong connection can cause burns, sparks or a fire. Have a shop do it.
- IfThe relay does not switch or a terminal shows corrosion or high resistance
  It meansThe relay or its wiring is at fault.
  Points to: Damaged, corroded or loose wiring or connectors in the starter relay circuit
- IfRelay and wiring test good
  It meansTest the solenoid and ignition switch.
  Points to: Starter solenoid or ignition switch fault

Symptoms

Engine does not crank when you turn the key or press start, or only cranks some of the time
Check engine light with a stored P0615
Low-voltage message or a recent battery change
Engine stalls while driving and will not restart Gets more serious: stop and have it checked.

How to fix

Step 1: Check that the battery terminals are tight and clean, with the engine off and the key out.
Step 2: Check the starter relay fuse in the fuse box listed in the owner's manual, and replace a blown fuse with the same rating only.
Warning:If the new fuse blows, stop; there is a short that needs a shop.

Parts and cost context

Engine controls ignition relay:Relays and fuses are cheap, but a fuse that keeps blowing means a short or a failing part. Confirm the battery and wiring first; labour varies, get a quote.

Labor varies by vehicle and shop; get a quote before you approve a repair.

Compare used part prices on PartPriceGuide

On your vehicle

GMC

2022 · Yukon
Supported by vehicle data
A 2022 Yukon owner found P0615 with a blown fuse on the battery distribution fuse block after the engine died and would not restart. One complaint, not verified by NHTSA.

Chevrolet

2014 · Traverse
Supported by vehicle data
A 2014 Traverse owner's code reader returned P0615 as 'starter relay control circuit' along with P0606, P0685 and P0689 after a stall with a stability-system warning. One complaint, not verified by NHTSA.

All Charging and starting codes

P0615 questions

Why won't my car crank with P0615?

The starter relay circuit is not working. Start with the battery, the relay fuse and the connections before replacing the starter or the computer.

Can P0615 be a blown fuse?

Yes. TroubleCodes.net lists blown fuses as a cause, and one Yukon owner's dealer found a blown fuse on the battery distribution fuse block with P0615 stored.

Sources and review

NHTSA complaint ODI 11769837: 2014 Chevrolet Traverse, P0615 read by owner with stall — NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (complaint flat file)
NHTSA complaint ODI 11760118: 2022 GMC Yukon, P0615 with blown fuse on battery distribution fuse block — NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (complaint flat file)
P060C, P0615, P062A, P0643 code pages — TroubleCodes.net

Last reviewed: October 16, 2026
Written by: Saurabh K.
Editorial review: Pending
Technician review: Technician review pending

This page explains what a code usually means; it is not a substitute for a professional inspection. How we source and review · Report an error

Severity: Inspect soon

Most likely causes

Cause 1: Damaged, corroded or loose wiring or connectors in the starter relay circuit

Cause 2: Blown fuse or defective starter relay

Cause 3: Starter solenoid or ignition switch fault

Cause 4: Low system voltage

Cause 5: Engine computer fault (rare)

What to test first

Step 1: Record every stored code and the freeze-frame data, then check whether the engine cranks.

Step 2: Check the starter relay fuse and, on trucks with one, the battery feed fuses; replace a blown fuse with the same rating and see whether it blows again.

Step 3: Test the relay as the manual describes, inspect the terminals between relay and solenoid, and measure voltage drop on the circuit.