P1608 — 18 documented meanings by make
Documented by: AUDI, BMW, CHEVROLET (USA), CHRYSLER, CITROEN, FORD, HONDA, JAGUAR, KIA, MAZDA, OPEL / VAUXHALL, PEUGEOT, SAAB, SEAT, SKODA, SSANGYONG, SUZUKI, TOYOTA, VOLKSWAGEN — the meaning can differ between manufacturers
P1608 does not mean the same thing on every car — manufacturers reuse the number for different faults. 19 makes document it: Audi, BMW, Chevrolet (USA), Chrysler, Citroen, Ford, Honda, Jaguar, Kia, Mazda, Opel / Vauxhall, Peugeot, Saab, SEAT, Skoda, SsangYong, Suzuki, Toyota, Volkswagen. Find your make below.
| Make | Documented meaning | Points at |
|---|---|---|
| Audi | Steering angle signal, fault message from steering angle sender | steering |
| SEAT | Steering angle signal, fault message from steering angle sender | steering |
| Skoda | Steering angle signal, fault message from steering angle sender | steering |
| Volkswagen | Steering angle signal, fault message from steering angle sender | steering |
| BMW | Serial communication link control module | control module |
| Chevrolet (USA) | Serial communication problem with device 8 | |
| Chrysler | Analogue/digital converter | |
| Citroen | Internal ECM | control module |
| Citroen | Coolant temperature alert | coolant temperature sensor |
| Peugeot | Internal ECM | control module |
| Peugeot | Coolant temperature alert | coolant temperature sensor |
| Ford | PCM DTC test fault | control module |
| Honda | ECM internal circuit B | control module |
| Jaguar | WATCHDOG malfunction | |
| Kia | Electronic throttle system communication error to engine control unit | control module |
| Mazda | PCM internal circuit | control module |
| Opel / Vauxhall | Clutch actuator, high temperature | transmission · signal too high |
| Saab | P-BUS fault | |
| Saab | MIU missing on BUS | |
| Saab | Internal control module malfunction | control module |
| SsangYong | ECU WATCHDOG checking system | control module |
| Suzuki | Engine coolant temperature warning light circuit | coolant temperature sensor |
| Toyota | Coolant temperature light, open or short circuit to positive or ground | coolant temperature sensor · short to positive |
P1608 on Audi, SEAT, Skoda, Volkswagen
On Audi, SEAT, Skoda, Volkswagen vehicles P1608 is documented as: Steering angle signal, fault message from steering angle sender. P1608 is stored when the ECU sees malfunction on steering. That describes how the circuit is behaving, not which part has failed — the wiring, the connector and the component itself can all produce it, which is why the checks below start with the cheapest.
Usually one of: Wiring or connector fault in the circuit; Component failed electrically; Supply or ground problem feeding the circuit; Controlling module fault, though this is the least common of the four.
Check first, cheapest first:
- Read all stored codes — a general fault code is often the symptom of a more specific one
- Inspect the connector and wiring for the named component
- Check supply and ground at the component
- Measure the component against specification
- Replace the component once wiring and supply are ruled out
Related Audi, SEAT, Skoda, Volkswagen codes:
P1608 on BMW
On BMW vehicles P1608 is documented as: Serial communication link control module. P1608 points at control module. The standard definition names the system involved; which part inside it has actually failed is what the checks below establish, cheapest first.
Related BMW codes:
P1608 on Citroen, Peugeot
On Citroen, Peugeot vehicles P1608 is documented as: Internal ECM; Coolant temperature alert. P1608 points at control module. The standard definition names the system involved; which part inside it has actually failed is what the checks below establish, cheapest first.
Related Citroen, Peugeot codes:
P1608 on Ford
On Ford vehicles P1608 is documented as: PCM DTC test fault. P1608 is stored when the ECU sees malfunction on control module. That describes how the circuit is behaving, not which part has failed — the wiring, the connector and the component itself can all produce it, which is why the checks below start with the cheapest.
Usually one of: Wiring or connector fault in the circuit; Component failed electrically; Supply or ground problem feeding the circuit; Controlling module fault, though this is the least common of the four.
Check first, cheapest first:
- Read all stored codes — a general fault code is often the symptom of a more specific one
- Inspect the connector and wiring for the named component
- Check supply and ground at the component
- Measure the component against specification
- Replace the component once wiring and supply are ruled out
Related Ford codes:
P1608 on Honda
On Honda vehicles P1608 is documented as: ECM internal circuit B. P1608 points at control module. The standard definition names the system involved; which part inside it has actually failed is what the checks below establish, cheapest first.
Related Honda codes:
P1608 on Jaguar
On Jaguar vehicles P1608 is documented as: WATCHDOG malfunction. P1608 is stored when the ECU sees malfunction on the circuit named in the code. That describes how the circuit is behaving, not which part has failed — the wiring, the connector and the component itself can all produce it, which is why the checks below start with the cheapest.
Usually one of: Wiring or connector fault in the circuit; Component failed electrically; Supply or ground problem feeding the circuit; Controlling module fault, though this is the least common of the four.
Check first, cheapest first:
- Read all stored codes — a general fault code is often the symptom of a more specific one
- Inspect the connector and wiring for the named component
- Check supply and ground at the component
- Measure the component against specification
- Replace the component once wiring and supply are ruled out
Related Jaguar codes:
P1608 on Kia
On Kia vehicles P1608 is documented as: Electronic throttle system communication error to engine control unit. P1608 points at control module. The standard definition names the system involved; which part inside it has actually failed is what the checks below establish, cheapest first.
Related Kia codes:
P1608 on Mazda
On Mazda vehicles P1608 is documented as: PCM internal circuit. P1608 points at control module. The standard definition names the system involved; which part inside it has actually failed is what the checks below establish, cheapest first.
Related Mazda codes:
P1608 on Opel / Vauxhall
On Opel / Vauxhall vehicles P1608 is documented as: Clutch actuator, high temperature. P1608 is stored when the ECU sees signal too high on transmission. That describes how the circuit is behaving, not which part has failed — the wiring, the connector and the component itself can all produce it, which is why the checks below start with the cheapest.
Usually one of: Open ground for the sensor, letting the signal float up; Signal line shorted to a supply voltage; Sensor failed open, which the module reads as maximum; Connector fault interrupting the return path.
Check first, cheapest first:
- Read the live value and compare with what the conditions should produce
- Check the sensor ground continuity back to the module
- Unplug the sensor: if the reading changes, the wiring is intact and the sensor is suspect
- Inspect the connector for corrosion or a spread terminal
- Replace the sensor once ground and signal wiring are confirmed good
Related Opel / Vauxhall codes:
P1608 on Saab
On Saab vehicles P1608 is documented as: P-BUS fault; MIU missing on BUS; Internal control module malfunction. P1608 is stored when the ECU sees malfunction on the circuit named in the code. That describes how the circuit is behaving, not which part has failed — the wiring, the connector and the component itself can all produce it, which is why the checks below start with the cheapest.
Usually one of: Wiring or connector fault in the circuit; Component failed electrically; Supply or ground problem feeding the circuit; Controlling module fault, though this is the least common of the four.
Check first, cheapest first:
- Read all stored codes — a general fault code is often the symptom of a more specific one
- Inspect the connector and wiring for the named component
- Check supply and ground at the component
- Measure the component against specification
- Replace the component once wiring and supply are ruled out
Related Saab codes:
P1608 on SsangYong
On SsangYong vehicles P1608 is documented as: ECU WATCHDOG checking system. P1608 points at control module. The standard definition names the system involved; which part inside it has actually failed is what the checks below establish, cheapest first.
Related SsangYong codes:
P1608 on Suzuki
On Suzuki vehicles P1608 is documented as: Engine coolant temperature warning light circuit. P1608 points at coolant temperature sensor. The standard definition names the system involved; which part inside it has actually failed is what the checks below establish, cheapest first.
Related Suzuki codes:
P1608 on Toyota
On Toyota vehicles P1608 is documented as: Coolant temperature light, open or short circuit to positive or ground. P1608 is stored when the ECU sees short to positive on coolant temperature sensor. That describes how the circuit is behaving, not which part has failed — the wiring, the connector and the component itself can all produce it, which is why the checks below start with the cheapest.
Usually one of: Signal wire touching a permanently live wire in a damaged loom; Connector pins bridged by corrosion or a bent terminal; Internal fault in the component shorting the signal to supply; Incorrect wiring after an aftermarket accessory was fitted.
Check first, cheapest first:
- Disconnect the component and check whether the signal line still reads battery voltage
- Inspect the loom for melted or rubbed insulation, especially near heat sources
- Check the connector for a pushed-back or bent terminal
- Trace the signal wire back to the module, looking for a live wire running alongside
- Repair the harness, or replace the component if it is shorting internally
Related Toyota codes:
Which one is yours
A generic OBD reader gives you the number, not which of these meanings your manufacturer assigned to it. To get to the specific one:
- Use a brand-specific scanner — VCDS for VAG, INPA or ISTA for BMW, XENTRY for Mercedes, Forscan for Ford. It shows the manufacturer's own text rather than the generic one.
- Read all stored codes together — the neighbouring ones usually point at which system is involved and narrow the list.
- Check freeze-frame data: the RPM, temperature and load at the moment it triggered indicate which system was active.
- If you have no brand scanner, tell me the make and model below and I will tell you which of these applies to your car.
Code family
P1xxx is manufacturer-specific code (VW/Audi, BMW, Mercedes, Toyota etc. have different meanings for the same code number).
Severity
Manufacturer-specific codes need a brand scanner (VCDS for VAG, INPA for BMW, STAR for Mercedes).
That is what holds for P1608 in general. From here it depends on your engine — tell me which car it is and what it does, and I will give you the steps for it: real procedures, torque figures and diagrams instead of general advice.
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Code breakdown
Who makes these pages, and how
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