P1571 — PSPS Out Of Self Test Range

Is it safe to drive with P1571?

In most cases the car remains drivable, possibly with reduced performance or a disabled auxiliary system. If symptoms include stalling, no-start or brake/steering warnings, treat it as urgent.

What are the symptoms of P1571?

Drivers most often notice: Check Engine Light on, increased fuel consumption in some cases, possible limp mode depending on the affected component, the affected system operates intermittently or not at all.

What does OBD2 code P1571 mean?

PSPS Out Of Self Test Range (P1571): a powertrain (engine/transmission) fault affecting the sensor and actuator circuits. The car is usually drivable while you plan the repair. Most often caused by open or shorted wiring in the circuit, poor ground connection, blown fuse feeding the circuit.

Will P1571 clear itself?

Sometimes P1571 clears after a few drive cycles if the fault was intermittent — for example a loose connector or a tank of bad fuel. The underlying cause usually remains, so the code tends to return. Clear it once; if it comes back, diagnose rather than erase it repeatedly.

How much does it cost to fix P1571?

Replace the faulty sensor or actuator — $150–$500; Repair wiring or connectors — $80–$250; Control module repair — $300–$1,000. Exact cost depends on the root cause, your vehicle and local labor rates — a proper diagnosis is the cheapest first step.

The powertrain control module logs P1571 when it finds that the Power Steering Pressure Switch (PSPS) circuit is returning values outside acceptable limits during its built-in self-test. This isn't a code triggered by a single bad sensor reading — it specifically means the ECU ran its diagnostic check and the PSPS circuit failed to respond the way it should. During normal operation the module constantly monitors this circuit; when the signal stays out of range across multiple drive cycles, P1571 gets stored and the check engine light comes on.

The PSPS tells the ECU how much hydraulic pressure exists in the power steering system. When you're cranking the wheel hard at low speed, the pump demands more from the engine — the ECU uses PSPS data to adjust idle speed and sometimes the charging system to compensate. If the PSPS signal goes missing, sticks high, or drops to zero, the engine control unit can't make those adjustments properly. Freeze frame data saved alongside P1571 records the exact engine rpm, load, temperature, and vehicle speed at the moment the fault was detected — that's your best clue for recreating the failure condition.

Once P1571 is active, the engine light stays on and the ECU reverts to a default strategy for power steering compensation. You may notice rougher idle, slightly higher fuel consumption, or intermittent loss of power steering assist depending on the vehicle. In most cases the car remains drivable, though reduced performance or a disabled auxiliary feature is possible. If the vehicle stalls, fails to start, or triggers brake or steering warnings, treat the situation as urgent and seek professional diagnosis right away.

Common Symptoms

• Check Engine Light is illuminated
• Slightly increased fuel consumption on some vehicles
• Intermittent or complete loss of power steering assist
• Rough or unstable idle, particularly when turning the wheel
• Possible limp-mode behavior if the ECU detects a critical failure
• No-start condition in severe cases where the sensor grounds a critical circuit

Likely Causes

• Blown fuse feeding the PSPS circuit — the most common and cheapest fix
• Corroded, loose, or damaged connector at the PSPS or ECU
• Wiring harness damage: chafed insulation, broken wires, or accidental shorts
• Poor ground connection at the sensor or module
• Faulty PSPS sensor or related actuator
• Control module driver fault — less common but possible on high-mileage vehicles

How to Diagnose

1. Connect an OBD2 scanner and confirm P1571 is stored. Save the freeze frame data before clearing anything — those recorded conditions (rpm, load, temperature, speed) let you drive the car back into the failure state.
2. Pull all other stored codes. Related diagnostic trouble codes often point to the actual root cause rather than the symptom. Cross-reference any P0xxx codes with your vehicle's service information.
3. Check manufacturer technical service bulletins (TSB) for your specific make and model — factory-issued software updates or known fixes may apply to your situation.
4. Visually inspect the wiring harness and connectors associated with the PSPS circuit. Look for corrosion, bent pins, moisture intrusion, or wires pulled away from the connector body.
5. Measure reference voltage, ground integrity, and signal continuity at the PSPS connector with a multimeter. Compare readings against factory specifications.
6. Perform a wiggle test on the harness while monitoring live data — signal dropouts expose broken wires or intermittent connections. Then clear the code, complete a full drive cycle including the freeze frame conditions, and verify P1571 does not return.

Repair Options

• Replace the faulty sensor or actuator — $150–$500 (parts and labor)
• Repair wiring or connectors — $80–$250 (parts and labor)
• Control module diagnosis and repair — $300–$1,000 (parts and labor)

Total Cost to Fix

The final bill for P1571 depends entirely on which part failed. Typical scenarios for this code at independent shop rates:

• Wiring or connector repair: $80–$250
• PSPS sensor or actuator replacement: $150–$500
• Control module diagnosis and repair: $300–$1,000

Most P1571 repairs fall somewhere in the $80–$1,000 range. Getting an accurate diagnosis before buying parts is the single best way to keep costs down — the most expensive repair scenario is rarely the first one to investigate.

Can You Drive With P1571?

P1571 carries a short-term severity rating. In most cases the vehicle remains driveable, though you may experience reduced performance or a disabled auxiliary system. Drive cautiously and schedule diagnosis soon. If the car stalls, won't restart, or displays brake or steering warnings, stop driving and call a mechanic immediately.

Related OBD2 Codes

• P1500: Secondary Switch Solenoid Circuit Malfunction
• P1501: APLSOL Solenoid Circuit Malfunction
• P1502: RCNT Solenoid Circuit Malfunction
• P1503: SPCUT Solenoid Circuit Malfunction
• P1504: TCSPL Solenoid Circuit Malfunction
• P1505: Vehicle Speed Sensor Intermittent