A short to ground in the wiring between the airbag control module and the EDR.; A faulty airbag control module that is internally shorting the request circuit.; Corrosion or water intrusion in the connector at the EDR or airbag module.; A defective EDR module that is pulling the circuit low.; Aftermarket accessories or improper repairs that pinched or grounded the circuit wire.; A poor ground connection for the EDR or airbag module causing a reference voltage shift.

DTC codes / P25xx · Vehicle speed, idle control and auxiliary inputs / P2513

P2513Event Data Recorder Request Circuit Low

Q: What does code P2513 mean?

Event Data Recorder Request Circuit Low. P2513 indicates that the Event Data Recorder (EDR) request circuit, which is a dedicated wire from the airbag control module to the EDR, is showing a low voltage condition. The computer expects a specific voltage on this circuit when the EDR is not being requested, and a low reading tells it that the circuit is shorted to ground or the module is faulty.

P2513 indicates that the Event Data Recorder (EDR) request circuit, which is a dedicated wire from the airbag control module to the EDR, is showing a low voltage condition. The computer expects a specific voltage on this circuit when the EDR is not being requested, and a low reading tells it that the circuit is shorted to ground or the module is faulty.

SystemPowertrain

Code typeGeneric (all makes)

SeverityMedium

Fix difficultyIntermediate

AreaVehicle speed, idle control and auxiliary inputs

Symptoms you may notice

The airbag warning light is illuminated on the dashboard.
The event data recorder may fail to capture data during a collision event.
Often no symptoms besides the warning light.
In some vehicles, other safety systems like seatbelt pretensioners may be disabled.
Intermittent warning light operation if the short is temperature or vibration sensitive.

Common causes, most likely first

A short to ground in the wiring between the airbag control module and the EDR.
A faulty airbag control module that is internally shorting the request circuit.
Corrosion or water intrusion in the connector at the EDR or airbag module.
A defective EDR module that is pulling the circuit low.
Aftermarket accessories or improper repairs that pinched or grounded the circuit wire.
A poor ground connection for the EDR or airbag module causing a reference voltage shift.

How to diagnose and fix it

Verify the code with a scan tool and check for any related airbag or communication codes.
Inspect the wiring harness and connectors at the airbag control module and EDR for damage, corrosion, or loose pins.
Disconnect the EDR and measure resistance from the request circuit to ground to check for a short.
If the circuit is shorted, trace the wire and repair the insulation or replace the harness section.
If the circuit is not shorted, substitute a known-good EDR and clear the code to see if it returns.
If the code persists with a known-good EDR, test the airbag control module for internal short and replace if necessary.
After repair, clear codes and perform a road test to confirm the warning light stays off.

What the EDR request circuit really does

The EDR request circuit is a low-current signal line, so a partial short that only drops voltage under load can set this code without blowing a fuse.
A common misdiagnosis is replacing the airbag module when the actual fault is a chafed wire behind the glovebox or under a seat where the harness flexes.
This code can be set by a weak battery or charging system issue that causes the module to see an unexpected low reference voltage on the request line.
Some vehicles require the EDR to be initialized or programmed after replacement, and skipping that step will cause the code to return immediately.
The code does not always mean the EDR itself is bad; the request circuit is shared with other functions in some architectures, so check for related codes before condemning parts.

Can I keep driving with P2513?

The vehicle is generally safe to drive because the EDR is a data-recording device, not a live safety system, but the airbag warning light means the supplemental restraint system may have a fault. Avoid any situation that could trigger a collision until the code is repaired, and have the system diagnosed promptly.

Tools that help

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