Safety Warning
DIY auto repair can cause serious injury, fire, or vehicle damage. These guides are for informational purposes only. Always follow OEM torque specs, wear PPE, and consult a certified mechanic if you are unsure. You are solely responsible for your safety.
DTC P1659: ETCS Control Relay OFF Malfunction
- Before you troubleshoot, record all freeze data and any on-board snapshot, and review GENERAL TROUBLESHOOTING INFORMATION .
- Information marked with an asterisk (*1) applies to '09-10 models and '11-12 models (M/T).
- Information marked with an asterisk (*2) applies to '11-12 models (A/T).
- Turn the ignition switch to ON (II).
- Clear the DTC with the HDS.
- Check for Pending or Confirmed DTCs with the HDS.
Is DTC P1659 indicated?
YES: Go to step 4.
NO: Intermittent failure, the system is OK at this time. Check for poor connections or loose terminals at the ETCS control relay and the ECM/PCM.
- Turn the ignition switch to LOCK (0).
- Check the No. 52 DBW (ETCS) (15 A) fuse in the under-dash fuse/relay box.
Is the fuse OK?
YES: Go to step 6.
NO: Go to step 19.
- Open the fuse access panel (A), then remove the ETCS control relay (B) from the under-dash fuse/relay box.
- Test the ETCS control relay (see POWER RELAY TEST
).
Is the ETCS control relay OK?
YES: Go to step 8.
NO: Replace the ETCS control relay, then go to step 25.
- Turn the ignition switch to ON (II).
- Measure the voltage between ETCS control relay 4P connector terminal No. 3 and body ground.
Is there battery voltage?
YES: Go to step 10.
NO: Replace the under-dash fuse/relay box (see UNDER-DASH FUSE/RELAY BOX ), then go to step 24.
- Measure the voltage between ETCS control relay 4P connector terminal No. 2 and body ground.
Is there battery voltage?
YES: Go to step 11.
NO: Replace the under-dash fuse/relay box (see UNDER-DASH FUSE/RELAY BOX ), then go to step 24.
- Turn the ignition switch to LOCK (0).
- Jump the SCS line with the HDS.
- Disconnect ECM/PCM connector C (49P).
- Connect ETCS control relay 4P connector terminal No. 1 to body ground with the jumper wire.
- Check for continuity between ECM/PCM connector terminal C1 and body ground.
Is there continuity?
YES: Go to step 16.
NO: Repair open in the wire between the ECM/PCM (CD and the ETCS control relay, then go to step 25.
- Disconnect ECM/PCM connector A (49P).
- Connect ETCS control relay 4P connector terminal No. 4 to body ground with the jumper wire.
- Check for continuity between ECM/PCM connector terminal A21 and body ground.
Is there continuity?
YES: Go to step 30.
NO: Repair open in the wire between the ECM/PCM (A21) and the ETCS control relay, then go to step 25.
- Open the fuse access panel (A), then remove the ETCS control relay (B) from the under-dash fuse/relay box.
- Jump the SCS line with the HDS.
- Disconnect ECM/PCM connector C (49P).
- Check for continuity between ECM/PCM connector terminal C1 and body ground.
Is there continuity?
YES: Repair short in the wire between the ECM/PCM (C1) and the ETCS control relay, then go to step 25.
NO: Go to step 23.
- Check for continuity between ETCS control relay 4P connector terminal No. 2 and body ground.
Is there continuity?
YES: Replace the under-hood fuse/relay box (see UNDER-DASH FUSE/RELAY BOX ), then go to step 25.
NO: Go to step 30.
- Turn the ignition switch to LOCK (0).
- Reconnect all connectors.
- Turn the ignition switch to ON (II).
- Reset the ECM/PCM with the HDS.
- Do ECM/PCM IDLE LEARN PROCEDURE .
- Check for Pending or Confirmed DTCs with the HDS.
Is DTC P1659 indicated?
YES: Check for poor connections or loose terminals at the ETCS control relay and the ECM/PCM, then go to step 1.
NO: Troubleshooting is complete. If any other Pending or Confirmed DTCs are indicated, go to the indicated DTC's troubleshooting.
- Reconnect all connectors.
- Update the ECM/PCM if it does not have the latest software (see ECM/PCM UPDATE ), or substitute a known-good ECM/PCM (see SUBSTITUTING THE ECM/PCM ).
- Check for Pending or Confirmed DTCs with the HDS.
Is DTC P1659 indicated?
YES: Check for poor connections or loose terminals at the ETCS control relay and the ECM/PCM. If the ECM/PCM was updated, substitute a known-good ECM/PCM (see SUBSTITUTING THE ECM/PCM ), then recheck. If the ECM/PCM was substituted, go to step 1.
NO: If the ECM/PCM was updated, troubleshooting is complete. If the ECM/PCM was substituted, replace the original ECM/PCM (see ECM/PCM REPLACEMENT ). If any other Pending or Confirmed DTCs are indicated, go to the indicated DTC's troubleshooting.
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When to See a Mechanic
Stop DIY work and contact a certified mechanic immediately if any of the following apply:
- • You smell fuel, burning insulation, or see smoke.
- • Brakes feel soft, pull hard to one side, or make grinding noises.
- • The engine overheats, stalls repeatedly, or misfires under load.
- • You are missing required tools, torque specs, or safe lifting equipment.
- • You are not confident in the next step or safety outcome.
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