Car won't start: Codes, Causes & Fixes
First tell the two cases apart: if the engine does not crank at all, the battery, battery terminals, starter or a security/immobilizer lockout are the usual suspects; if it cranks but won't fire, look at fuel delivery, crankshaft position sensor and ignition. Codes such as P0335 (crankshaft sensor) or immobilizer messages narrow it down, but a no-crank fault may leave no code at all. Check battery voltage and terminal connections before anything else.
123Codes
3.2Average severity
28%High or critical
21%DIY-friendly
Severity distribution
Most viewed
P0335
Powertrain
The engine computer lost the crankshaft position signal. Expect stalling or a crank-no-start.
High
P0340
Powertrain
The computer lost the camshaft signal on bank 1. Expect long cranking, less power…
Moderate
P0562
Powertrain
The engine computer sees too little supply voltage – usually a charging, battery or ground…
Moderate
P0606
Powertrain
The engine computer failed its own internal self-test – check its power and grounds before…
Moderate
U0073
Network
A module saw so many errors on CAN bus A that it shut off its own transmitter.
High
U0100
Network
Another module stopped hearing from the engine computer on the CAN network.
High
All codes (106)
P0601
Powertrain
The engine computer's stored software failed its checksum test at start-up – usually a reflash…
Moderate
P0602
Powertrain
The engine computer has no valid or complete software – typical after a module swap or a failed…
Moderate
P0604
Powertrain
The engine computer's working memory failed a read/write test – rarely a software issue, often…
Moderate
P0605
Powertrain
The memory holding the engine computer's program failed its integrity test – try one reflash…
Moderate
P0606
Powertrain
The engine computer failed its own internal self-test – check its power and grounds before…
Moderate
P0620
Powertrain
The engine computer found a fault in the wire or signal it uses to command alternator output.
Moderate
P0621
Powertrain
A fault in the alternator's 'L' circuit – the line behind the charge light or the ECM's turn-on…
Moderate
P0622
Powertrain
The alternator's field control or field feedback circuit is faulty – output may drop out…
Moderate
P0625
Powertrain
The PCM sees the alternator's field-monitor signal stuck low – usually the regulator, its plug…
Moderate
P0627
Powertrain
The PCM's fuel pump command line has no complete circuit – a dead relay coil, open wire, fuse…
Moderate
P0628
Powertrain
The fuel pump control wire is pulled toward ground – a chafed wire, shorted relay coil or wet…
Moderate
P0629
Powertrain
Battery voltage is leaking into the fuel pump control line – a short, corrosion bridge…
Moderate
P0641
Powertrain
The PCM's shared 5-volt supply 'A' is missing or out of range – often one shorted sensor…
High
P0642
Powertrain
The PCM's 5-volt supply 'A' is being pulled below spec, usually by a short to ground in one…
High
P0685
Powertrain
The engine computer can't switch its own main power relay – open coil, blown fuse or broken…
High
P0686
Powertrain
The main relay control line is being pulled to ground – usually a shorted relay coil…
Moderate
P0687
Powertrain
The main relay control line sits at battery voltage – the relay may never switch on or never…
Moderate
P069E
Chevrolet · Powertrain
The fuel pump control module stored its own fault and asked the engine computer for the check…
Moderate
P0705
Powertrain
The computer can't make sense of the gear selector position signal – P, R, N, D may be misread.
Moderate
P0706
Powertrain
The range sensor works electrically, but its reading doesn't match where the lever and gears…
Moderate
P0707
Powertrain
The range sensor signal voltage is below its lowest valid value – usually a short to ground…
Moderate
P0A0F
Powertrain
The hybrid system spun the gas engine with its motor-generator to start it, but the engine…
High
P0A1F
Powertrain
The module that manages the high-voltage battery failed its self-check or reports implausible…
Moderate
P0A94
Powertrain
A hybrid voltage converter isn't delivering the voltage it should – on Toyotas, the boost…
High
P0A95
Powertrain
The main fuse in the high-voltage battery circuit has opened or its circuit reads open…
Critical
P0AA6
Powertrain
High voltage is leaking toward the car body somewhere – an insulation fault that must be found…
High
P0AFA
Powertrain
Total high-voltage battery voltage dropped below the minimum the system allows, so power…
High
P1233
Ford · Powertrain
The Ford PCM lost the status signal from the fuel pump driver module, so fuel pump control…
Moderate
P1260
Ford · Powertrain
Ford's Passive Anti-Theft System didn't accept the key, so the PCM shut off fuel and the engine…
Moderate
P1289
Ford · Powertrain
The CHT sensor signal on your Ford is stuck near 5 volts, which the PCM reads as an impossibly…
Moderate