P2531
Ignition Switch Run Position Circuit Low
- Severity
- High
- Driving
- Drivable — book it in
The ignition switch run position circuit is reading low - typically shorted to earth or open circuit. The module never sees the run position being selected, so whatever depends on it will not happen: the engine may not start, or may not run once the key is released from start.
Possible causes
- CommonWorn or failed ignition switch
- CommonWiring shorted to earth or open circuit between the switch and the module
- CommonBlown fuse on the ignition circuit
- PossibleCorroded connector behind the steering column
- PossibleAftermarket wiring spliced into the ignition circuit
What you might notice
- Engine will not start or will not keep running
- Accessories not working in the expected key position
- Dashboard dead in one key position
- Engine cutting out
- Check engine light on
What to check, in order
- Watch the run position state on the live data screen while turning the key.
- Check the fuses for the ignition circuit.
- Unplug the switch and check whether the low reading persists at the harness.
- Try the car with only the key on the keyring, in case a heavy bunch is preventing the switch reaching its detent.
- Inspect the connector behind the steering column.
Read this code from your own car
Plug an ELM327 adapter into the OBD-II port under the dashboard. Pin16 reads every stored, pending and permanent code, explains each one like this page does — offline, with no account — and shows what the car recorded when the fault was set.
Where this code sits
P00xxP01xxP02xxP03xxP04xxP05xxP06xxP07xxP08xxP09xxP0AxxP0BxxP0CxxP0DxxP0ExxP0FxxP10xxP11xxP12xxP13xxP14xxP15xxP16xxP17xxP18xxP19xxP1AxxP1BxxP1CxxP1DxxP1ExxP1FxxP20xxP21xxP22xxP23xxP24xxP25xxP26xxP27xxP28xxP29xxP2AxxP2BxxP2CxxP2DxxP2ExxP2FxxP30xxP31xxP32xxP33xxP34xxP35xxP36xxP37xxP38xxP39xxP3AxxP3BxxP3CxxP3DxxP3ExxP3Fxx
Vehicle speed control, idle control and auxiliary inputs
P2500P2501P2502P2503P2504P2505P2506P2507P2508P2509P2510P2511P2512P2513P2514P2515P2516P2517P2518P2519P2520P2521P2522P2523P2524P2525P2526P2527P2528P2529P2530P2531P2532P2533P2534P2535P2536P2537P2538P2539P2540P2541P2542P2543P2544P2545P2546P2547P2548P2549P2550P2551P2552P2553P2554P2555P2556P2557P2558P2559P2560P2561P2562P2563P2564P2565P2566P2567P2568P2569P2570P2571P2572P2573P2574P2575P2576P2577