Diagnostic article Generic OBD-II
P0512: Diesel Cherokee starter-request fault from transmission-harness rubbing
P0512-00 is the starter-request circuit fault in this Cherokee bulletin.
Read before applying this article
Documented application
FCA bulletin 08-039-16 Rev. A, June 2016: EMEA 2014–2016 Cherokee KL with specified 2.0 L diesel, C635 manual transmission and export Euro 5/6 equipment. The 2014–2015 EBT cutoff is February 2, 2015; the 2016 EBS cutoff is August 24, 2015.
The code alone does not identify a failed part or establish that a vehicle is safe to drive. Confirm the vehicle, reporting module and applicable service procedure.
No-start and steering symptoms can share the harness
P0512-00 is the starter-request circuit fault in this Cherokee bulletin. The reported complaint may include no start, stiff steering, U0131 power-steering communication loss or U0100 engine-controller communication loss. The relevant inspection is the transmission wiring harness, which can rub at the illustrated engine and transmission contact areas. This combination offers a reason to examine shared wiring before replacing a starter or steering controller independently.
Damage determines whether protection is enough
The repair distinguishes an intact harness from wires with chafing. Where wires are damaged, the specified remedy includes replacing the harness and adding the protective mastic patch. Where they are intact, the patch is the preventive protection. The Euro 5 NBC branch also checks the harness-retaining clip seating. Because several harness part numbers and emissions configurations appear in the revision, a generic Cherokee harness is not an adequate parts match.
Restore the circuit before replacing an opened fuse
During the replacement path, the technician checks the relevant fuses and replaces any failed fuse after the harness has been repaired. Replacing a fuse repeatedly while the rubbing remains would leave the cause in place. Completion includes engine operation, a steering-function sequence, an ignition-off wait, another code scan and a road test. Ask for the abrasion finding and those verification results. This is a manual-transmission diesel case; a gasoline or automatic Cherokee with P0512 needs its own starter-request diagnosis.
Source and applicability
FCA bulletin 08-039-16 Rev. A, June 2016: EMEA 2014–2016 Cherokee KL with specified 2.0 L diesel, C635 manual transmission and export Euro 5/6 equipment. The 2014–2015 EBT cutoff is February 2, 2015; the 2016 EBS cutoff is August 24, 2015.
Manufacturer bulletin, page 1 · Manufacturer bulletin, page 2 · Manufacturer bulletin, page 4 · Manufacturer bulletin, page 6 · Manufacturer bulletin, page 7 · Manufacturer bulletin, page 14 · Manufacturer bulletin, page 16
Article source documents
Source checks describe how the text was prepared; they do not certify a diagnosis or confirm compatibility with every vehicle using this code.
Original code reference
Dictionary definition
Starter Request Circuit
This definition retains its original catalog scope. The article above is limited to its explicitly documented application.
Reference scope
Generic OBD-II definition.
A manufacturer label does not establish the model, year, engine or module to which a diagnosis applies. Read the safety and diagnostic limits.
Definition source
- DTC Database: pinned community code definitions
Source checked · MIT