A P0607 OBD2 is a diagnostic trouble code (DTC) for your car’s “Control Module Performance,” which can be caused by several reasons. A P0607 trouble code can vary in terms of severity, which means at times, the code can appear as just a fluke, and there is no serious problem with the car as a whole or the ECM (engine control module).
However, in a worst-case scenario, the code might have appeared because the ECM has malfunctioned or the battery is dying, and because the ECM is responsible for keeping the engine and the vehicle’s transmission running, it can mean that your car is not in the right condition to be driven.
The P0607 trouble code is an indication of a performance problem within the control module, which is quite similar or related to other trouble codes, including P0602, P0603, and P0604, P0605, and P0606 trouble codes.
OBD-II Code P0607: Symptoms, Causes & Diagnose
The symptoms of a P0607 OBD2 trouble code
Some of the symptoms that you should look for in case your car illuminates the P0607 OBD2 malfunction indicator lamp include:
- Trouble starting your car, where the engine will just crank up and not start at all.
- Stops running while you are driving.
- Check engine soon warning light.
- The car gets into “limp-home” mode, a state in which it runs on reduced power.
- The car starts to stall when you are driving.
- The car’s smoothness and fuel economy drastically change for the worse.
Any of these symptoms is a reason good enough to take your car to a credited mechanic for diagnosis before the issue gets out of hand.
The Causes of a P0607 OBD2 trouble code
The P0607 OBD2 trouble code can be caused by several reasons including:
- When the ECM (engine control module) is physically damaged, or when there is some form of corrosion in the ECM.
- Presence of water in the ECM.
- When your car’s battery is dead or dying.
- When your car’s alternator is malfunctioning.
- An open or short in the power or ground circuit.
- When electronics in the engine control module start to become faulty.
- When some of the cables in the ECM or your car’s battery are corroded, unhooked, or left loose.
- When the ECM has been programmed wrongly or when its software is outdated.
- When the ECM wire harness has been improperly misrouted.
- Loose or corroded battery terminals.
How to diagnose a P0607 OBD2 trouble code and the tools you need.
To be able to diagnose a P0607 OBD2 trouble code, you will first need to get your hands on an OBD-11 code scanner. A qualified mechanic with a great reputation for fixing P0607 OBD2 trouble codes will first examine the freeze frame data and then start to brainstorm clues to the P0607 OBD2 trouble code or any other related issues.
He or she will then reset the trouble codes and restart the vehicle to see whether the codes remain. If the P0607 OBD2 trouble code does not resurface then your vehicle’s ECM is in great working condition. However, the mechanic should still check out ECM’s electrical system to ensure that everything is in good working condition.
If the P0607 OBD2 trouble codes return after restarting the vehicle, the mechanic should first check the electrical system and whether the alternator or battery is supplying the ECM with the electrical power it needs, since if that’s not the case then the ECM will malfunction triggering the P0607 OBD2 trouble code. If the alternator, battery, and entire electrical system are in good condition, the mechanic should inspect the ECM for any sign of corrosion, water damage, or an improperly routed wire harness. If none of the issues are present, the mechanic should update the ECM’s software.
Mistakes to avoid when diagnosing a P0607 OBD2 trouble code.
One of the most common mistakes when diagnosing a P0607 OBD2 trouble code is that most mechanics do not follow the right diagnostic protocol. If your mechanic skips any step in the diagnostic protocol, he or she may end up misdiagnosing the trouble code. Hence the importance of having a mechanic who understands a P0607 OBD2 trouble code and knows what steps to follow.
How to fix a P0607 OBD2 trouble code?
As a vehicle owner, there is not much that you can do to diagnose or fix your vehicle’s P0607 OBD2 trouble code. However, there are some things that you can do.
First, check your vehicle’s battery voltage, look out for any corroded/loose terminals, you can even go a step further and conduct a load test too. Also, inspect the PCM’s wiring and in case everything is good, some other common fixes include a replacement of the PCM or installing an updated software.
If the PCM of your car needs to be replaced, I would highly recommend that you get in touch with a qualified mechanic who has the knowledge to install and reprogram a new PCM. The reason is that installing a new PCM requires certain knowledge and the use of certain special tools to reprogram your car’s VIN or anti-theft information.
The right fix for a P0607 OBD2 trouble code mainly depends on the type of issue affecting it. However, some of the most common quick fixes for a P0607 OBD2 trouble code include:
- Rerouting your car’s ECM wire harness.
- Replacing the battery together with the battery cables.
- Resetting the ECM’s trouble codes.
- Updating or reprogramming the ECM’s software.
- Replacing the entire ECM.
- Replacing or repairing the alternator.
- Replacing the electronics around and inside the ECM.
Tips to further avoid a P0607 OBD2 error
One of the best ways to avoid a P0607 OBD2 trouble code is to always look out for the P0607 OBD2 trouble code symptoms and be able to detect them earlier before further damage is done.
This can end up saving you thousands of dollars, you would have spent in a garage. Another way to avoid a P0607 OBD2 trouble code is by ensuring that your car is serviced by a professional mechanic who understands what he or she is doing.