P0616: Starter Relay A Circuit Low
A generic powertrain (engine and transmission) trouble code, same meaning on every brand.
Yes once running.
Symptoms
- No crank with a healthy battery
- Intermittent starting
- Relay clicking without engagement
Likely causes, most common first
- Control circuit shorted to ground
- Relay coil failed
- Wiring pinched
- Corrosion in the relay box
Read P0616 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
P0616 reads the starter relay control circuit low - grounded when it should not be. A pinched wire or a corroded relay box can hold the circuit down, and some designs will then refuse to crank entirely as a safety measure.
Relays are the cheapest component in this story and the relay boxes of many models carry an identical relay next door - horn, fans, accessories. Swapping two identical relays is a zero-cost test that has diagnosed this code in parking lots for decades. If the swap changes nothing, the meter comes out for the wiring between computer and relay socket.
Repair options and cost
Typical US independent-shop ranges, parts and labor. Dealers run higher; regional labor rates vary.
Frequently asked questions
Can I drive with P0616?
Yes once running.
How much does it cost to fix P0616?
Typical US repair costs range from $20 for the simplest fix (starter relay) to $250 in the worst case. The right number depends on which cause your car has - see the causes list.
Related codes
The codes closest to P0616. 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.