P0615: Starter Relay A Circuit
A generic powertrain (engine and transmission) trouble code, same meaning on every brand.
The engine runs normally once started - the risk is being unable to start.
Symptoms
- Intermittent no-crank
- Click but no start
- Starter working only on some attempts
Likely causes, most common first
- Starter relay failed
- Control circuit wiring fault
- Neutral safety or clutch switch feeding the circuit
- Corroded relay socket
Read P0615 yourself before paying for diagnosis
A basic Bluetooth OBD-II scanner ($20-40) plugs into the port under the dashboard and shows this code with live sensor data on your phone - useful both for confirming the fix and for talking to a shop from an informed position.
What is going on and how it gets diagnosed
P0615 is the starter relay control circuit - the low-current path by which the computer (or key) asks the relay to engage the starter. The engine never misbehaves while running; the fault shows itself only at the moment of starting, which makes it easy to defer until the morning it strands you.
The circuit usually passes through the neutral safety switch on automatics or the clutch switch on manuals, and those switches fail more often than relays. The classic tells: a car that starts in neutral but not in park points at the range switch; one that starts when the clutch pedal is jiggled points at the clutch switch. Both are cheaper than a starter and worth ruling out first.
Repair options and cost
Typical US independent-shop ranges, parts and labor. Dealers run higher; regional labor rates vary.
Cars that report P0615 most often
Based on mentions of this code in NHTSA owner complaints.
Frequently asked questions
Can I drive with P0615?
The engine runs normally once started - the risk is being unable to start.
How much does it cost to fix P0615?
Typical US repair costs range from $20 for the simplest fix (starter relay) to $400 in the worst case. The right number depends on which cause your car has - see the causes list.
Related codes
The codes closest to P0615. They often appear together, and telling them apart is usually what narrows the diagnosis.
Definition per SAE J2012 standard nomenclature. Symptoms, causes and costs are editorial guidance - always confirm with a diagnosis of your specific vehicle.