Code
P1013
RENAULT
P — Powertrain
- Engine control (EC) relay - circuit malfunction
AI status
Completed
Completed
100%
Causes
- Blown fuse supplying the EC/ECM relay circuit
- Faulty engine control (EC) relay
- Poor, corroded or disconnected relay socket/connector
- Broken, shorted or high-resistance wiring between relay and ECM or ground
- Faulty ignition switch or relay driver (in some designs driven by BCM/ECM)
- Water ingress or corrosion in relay box or connectors
Symptoms
- Engine fails to crank or starts intermittently (no-start or crank/no-start)
- Engine stalls or cuts out while driving
- Malfunction Indicator Lamp (MIL) or other warning lights on
- Loss of fuel pump, injectors or ignition power (engine management inactive)
- Intermittent electrical faults or unpredictable behavior of engine controls
What to check
- Read freeze frame and full DTC list with a scan tool; note conditions when fault set
- Check battery voltage (should be ~12.4–12.8 V at rest, ~13.5–14.5 V running)
- Inspect and check fuses related to ECM/engine control relay
- Listen for relay click with key ON; test relay by swapping with a known-good relay if available
- Visually inspect relay, relay socket and wiring for corrosion, damage or loose pins
- Backprobe relay socket to verify coil and contact voltages with key ON/OFF and during cranking
Signal parameters
- Battery voltage at relay power contact: approx. 12–14.5 V (key ON / engine running)
- Relay coil control voltage (when energized): ~battery voltage (~12 V) or ground depending on driver type
- Voltage on ECM power input pin with key ON: near battery voltage (drop
- Voltage drop across closed relay contacts: ideally
- Relay coil resistance (typical range): approx. 50–200 ohms (manufacturer-specific)
- No control voltage (0 V) when relay is not commanded; sudden loss or large voltage drop indicates fault
Diagnostic algorithm
- Retrieve and record all stored codes and freeze-frame data. Clear codes and attempt to re-create the fault to confirm.
- Inspect fuses and replace any blown fuse protecting the EC/ECM relay circuit. Re-test.
- Visually inspect the relay and socket for corrosion, heat damage or loose terminals. Replace relay with known-good unit and re-test.
- With key ON, backprobe relay coil terminals: confirm control side is being commanded (voltage change) and coil has expected resistance. If no command, trace back to ignition switch/BCM/ECM driver.
- With key ON and engine off, measure voltage at relay power output and at the ECM power pin. Verify continuity between them. If voltage is present at relay but not at ECM, inspect wiring/connectors between relay and ECM.
- Check ground continuity from ECM ground pins to battery negative. High resistance or open ground will cause circuit faults.
- Inspect harness for chafing, shorts to ground or battery, and connector corrosion; repair as required.
- If wiring, fuses and relay pass tests but the fault persists, check for internal ECM power supply faults. Confirm with manufacturer procedure before ECM replacement.
- After repairs, clear codes and road-test to confirm the fault does not return. Record results and advise customer of any intermittent issues found.
Likely causes
- Loose or corroded relay socket pins or connector to ECM
- Failed EC relay contacts or coil
- Open or short in power feed or ground to the ECM
- Blown fuse in the engine control / ECU power circuit
- Intermittent electrical fault caused by vibration or moisture
Fault status
Status
Engine control (EC) relay circuit malfunction. The control module has detected abnormal voltage/continuity on the engine control relay power or control circuit. May cause engine management power loss or intermittent operation.
Repair difficulty: Medium
Diagnostic time: 0.5-2.0 hours
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