A faulty or misadjusted starter signal switch, often the ignition switch or the starter relay contact.; Damaged, corroded, or chafed wiring in the starter signal circuit between the ignition switch, starter relay, and PCM.; A poor ground connection at the PCM, engine block, or starter mounting surface.; A failed starter relay that does not pass the crank signal voltage to the PCM.; A defective PCM driver or input circuit, though this is less common than wiring and switch faults.; Aftermarket remote start or alarm wiring spliced into the starter signal circuit incorrectly.; A weak or failing battery or starter motor that drags cranking voltage below the PCM's expected threshold.

DTC codes / Chrysler codes / P1500

P1500 · ChryslerStarter Signal Circuit

Q: What does code P1500 mean?

Starter Signal Circuit. P1500 on Chrysler vehicles means the powertrain control module (PCM) is not seeing the expected starter signal voltage on its dedicated starter signal circuit when the ignition key is turned to the crank position. The PCM uses this input to confirm the engine is actually being cranked, and it sets the code when the voltage on that circuit stays outside the expected range during a crank attempt.

P1500 on Chrysler vehicles means the powertrain control module (PCM) is not seeing the expected starter signal voltage on its dedicated starter signal circuit when the ignition key is turned to the crank position. The PCM uses this input to confirm the engine is actually being cranked, and it sets the code when the voltage on that circuit stays outside the expected range during a crank attempt.

SystemPowertrain

Code typeChrysler specific

SeverityMedium

Fix difficultyIntermediate

AreaVehicle speed, idle control and auxiliary inputs

Symptoms you may notice

The engine may crank normally and start fine, with no symptom other than the check engine light.
The engine may crank but not start, or fail to crank at all, depending on how the circuit has failed.
Intermittent no-crank conditions that come and go with heat, vibration, or moisture.
The starter may continue to run or engage unexpectedly if the signal circuit is shorted.
A remote start system or aftermarket alarm may stop working correctly.
Other starting-related codes may be stored alongside P1500 in the PCM.

Common causes, most likely first

A faulty or misadjusted starter signal switch, often the ignition switch or the starter relay contact.
Damaged, corroded, or chafed wiring in the starter signal circuit between the ignition switch, starter relay, and PCM.
A poor ground connection at the PCM, engine block, or starter mounting surface.
A failed starter relay that does not pass the crank signal voltage to the PCM.
A defective PCM driver or input circuit, though this is less common than wiring and switch faults.
Aftermarket remote start or alarm wiring spliced into the starter signal circuit incorrectly.
A weak or failing battery or starter motor that drags cranking voltage below the PCM's expected threshold.

How to diagnose and fix it

Scan all modules and record freeze-frame data for P1500, then clear the code and attempt to reproduce it with a crank test.
Inspect the battery, battery terminals, and engine ground straps for corrosion or looseness, and load-test the battery.
Check the starter signal circuit wiring from the ignition switch through the starter relay to the PCM for continuity, chafing, and corrosion.
Test the starter relay and ignition switch operation with a multimeter or scan tool bidirectional controls.
Verify the PCM sees the correct crank signal voltage using a scan tool live data or a voltmeter back-probed at the PCM connector.
Repair or replace the faulty switch, relay, or wiring section, then clear codes and confirm the starter signal reads correctly during a crank.
If all external circuits test good, follow the manufacturer's diagnostic flow for PCM internal starter signal circuit testing before replacing the PCM.

Starter signal faults that fool good technicians

A common misdiagnosis is replacing the starter motor when the actual fault is a dirty or loose ground at the engine block, which corrupts the starter signal voltage the PCM monitors.
Aftermarket remote start systems frequently back-probe or splice the starter signal wire, and a poor splice there can set P1500 even though the factory wiring is intact.
The PCM may set P1500 intermittently from a starter relay that tests fine on a bench but drops out under heat or vibration in the underhood fuse box.
A weak battery that still starts the engine can drag cranking voltage low enough that the PCM misreads the starter signal, so always load-test the battery before condemning the PCM.
On some Chrysler models the starter signal is routed through the totally integrated power module (TIPM), and a failing TIPM internal relay can set P1500 without any visible wiring fault.

Can I keep driving with P1500?

You can usually drive the vehicle if it starts and runs normally, but avoid repeated crank attempts and do not rely on remote start until the fault is repaired. If the engine cranks but will not start or fails to crank at all, stop driving and have the starting circuit diagnosed.

Tools that help

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Guidance is general and written for Chrysler vehicles. Exact tests and values vary by model, so confirm the fault before replacing parts.