P0617 Starter relay: signal or voltage too high

By: Diagno editorial team · Updated: 2026-10-15

P0617 means: Starter relay: signal or voltage too high. The computer controls the starter or monitors its signal. Drive gently and have the car checked soon. The most common repair costs about €45–90 in Estonia, depending on make and model. The most common cause: connector loose, damp or corroded.

What it means

The computer controls the starter or monitors its signal. There is a fault in the starter circuit or its control. The signal voltage is too high. Usually a wire is shorted to power, the ground is broken or the part itself has failed.

What you may notice

• The engine won't start or the starter won't turn
• The starter keeps running
• Engine light may be on

What could be wrong

1. 1Connector loose, damp or corroded · Wiring or connector repair €45–90
2. 2Wire shorted to power or ground broken · Wiring or connector repair €45–90
3. 3Faulty starter or relay · Starter motor replacement €300–550
4. 4Engine computer fault (rare) · Control unit check and software €150–300

Repair difficulty: Moderate

What you can check yourself

First look at the connector and wiring: anything loose, melted or green with corrosion? Check the battery. A car with an automatic gearbox only starts in P or N. You can check the simple things yourself, but the repair is best done in a workshop.

How we fix it

1. We read the fault data on the diagnostic tool and check whether the fault is constant
2. We measure the circuit's supply, ground and signal
3. We repair the wire or replace the connector
4. If the wiring is fine, we replace the starter or relay

Standard SAE description: Starter Relay Circuit High