P068A: ECM/PCM Power Relay De-Energized Performance - Too Early
A generic powertrain (engine and transmission) trouble code, same meaning on every brand.
Yes - but expect it to come back until the cause is found.
Symptoms
- Check engine light, often with no other symptom
- Occasional no-start or stall at key-off
- Radio presets or learned idle lost
Likely causes, most common first
- Battery weak or terminals loose
- Main relay opening too soon at key-off
- Ground strap corroded
- Ignition switch feed dropping out
Read P068A 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
P068A says the computer's power relay dropped out before the computer finished its shutdown routine. Modern engine computers stay awake for a few seconds after key-off to save learned values and park systems properly; power vanishing early interrupts that housekeeping, and the computer files this complaint on the next start.
The cause is almost always upstream of the relay itself: a battery on its last legs whose voltage collapses at key-off, corroded terminals, or a tired main relay. This code appearing alongside slow cranking on cold mornings is a battery telling its story twice. GM vehicles report it frequently enough that some shops treat it as a battery-test prompt first and a relay job second - a sensible order anywhere.
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 P068A?
Yes - but expect it to come back until the cause is found.
How much does it cost to fix P068A?
Typical US repair costs range from $40 for the simplest fix (battery service or replacement) to $300 in the worst case. The right number depends on which cause your car has - see the causes list.
Related codes
The codes closest to P068A. 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.