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2000-2003 AUDI S6
4.2L V8•AWD•AUTOMATIC•gas
2 active safety recalls on this vehicle — view recalls
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Repairs0Labor550Torque3386Fluid6DTC718Battery1Maintenance0Recalls2
P1501high severityPowertrain

Fuel Pump Relay Circuit Short to Positive

on 2000-2003 Audi S6 4.2L V8 · AWD

What this code means

The ECU detected a short to positive voltage in the fuel pump relay control circuit. The fuel pump relay cannot be properly controlled, which may cause the fuel pump to run continuously or not at all.

Symptoms

  • Check Engine Light
  • Fuel pump may run continuously
  • No-start condition if relay stuck open
  • Fuel smell if pump runs with engine off

Common causes

  • Wiring shorted to battery voltage
  • Faulty fuel pump relay
  • Relay socket corrosion
  • ECU relay driver failure

Diagnostic steps

  1. Test fuel pump relay operation
  2. Check relay control circuit for shorts to power
  3. Inspect relay socket and wiring
  4. Test ECU relay output
  5. Swap relay with known-good unit

Repair notes

Replace the fuel pump relay and repair any shorted wiring.

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🔧 Database maintained under the daily editorial review of Chris Hackleman · Master Technician · 20+ years and Jeff Moore · Master Lexus & Toyota Mechanic · 20+ years. Spot an error? Use the Help link above — a human reads every report.
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