P0817 code meaning
Starter Disable Circuit/Open
What P0817 means
The starter disable line carries the signal 'park or neutral – start allowed' from the transmission module, or its built-in range switch, to the body or engine module, which only then releases the starter. On Saab's 2010 9-5 automatic the line is open in a drive range (0 V at the body module) and closed in P or N (12 V). P0817 is the general or open-circuit fault of this line. Saab sets it when the output reports 'start allowed' but the feedback shows 'off' for more than 100 ms, twice in a row, with 6–16 V and no limp mode; it rates the fault type D, without any lamp. The engine then cannot be started. Low and high are P081A and P081B; vehicles that send the start release over a bus often report similar faults as U codes or P0850.
P0817 at a glance
- Check engine lightUsually not
- Emissions testNot an emissions code
- Limp modeNot expected
- Repair difficultyMedium
- Typical labor1 to 3 hours
- Clears after repairAfter a drive cycle
Symptoms of P0817
- Engine does not crank in P or N
- Start possible in only one of the two ranges
- No check engine lamp
Common causes of P0817
- Most likelyStarter disable wire to the body module open or shorted
- PossibleConnector corroded or pins pushed back
- PossibleTransmission module with built-in range switch faulty
- Less likelyBody module faulty
Check the most likely causes first. Replacing parts by guesswork is the most expensive way to clear a code.
Parts involved
Starter disable circuitTransmission control moduleBody control module
What each part of P0817 means
| P | Powertrain system: engine, fuel system, ignition, emissions and transmission. |
| 0 | Generic code: it means the same on every make (SAE standard). |
| 8 | Area: transmission. |
| 17 | The exact fault in that area. |
What to do next
- Note P0817 and any other codes stored with it: several codes together often point to one cause.
- Check for loose connectors and damaged wiring around the parts the code names.
- Check open recalls for your car: some faults are fixed for free by the dealer. Enter your VIN.
- Clear the code only after the repair. If it comes back, the fault is still there.
Buying a used car? Scan it for stored codes before you pay. A recently cleared memory can hide a problem.
Questions about P0817
What does P0817 mean?
P0817 means "Starter Disable Circuit/Open". The starter disable line carries the signal 'park or neutral – start allowed' from the transmission module, or its built-in range switch, to the body or engine module, which only then releases the starter. It is a generic code, so it means the same on every make.
Is it safe to drive with P0817?
P0817 does not normally turn on the check engine light by itself. Watch for the symptoms above and have it checked soon.
Will P0817 fail an emissions test?
P0817 is not an emissions code, so on its own it usually does not fail an emissions test. Other stored codes or a lit check engine light still can.
How hard is P0817 to fix?
Difficulty: medium. A typical repair takes 1 to 3 hours of work. This is a job for a workshop.
Will P0817 clear itself after the repair?
After the repair the car has to complete a drive cycle (a mix of city and highway driving) before the test runs again. Until then the readiness monitor shows "not ready", which can fail an inspection.