P1604 fault code: what it means

P1604: Startability malfunction (Lexus): the engine was slow to start or failed to start. A logged history code.

Engine and gearbox (powertrain) · Keep an eye on

Usual causes, most likely first

weak battery or starter
fuel pressure or delivery fault
ignition fault

P1604 by make

Lexus

Startability malfunction (Lexus): the engine was slow to start or failed to start. A logged history code.

Usual causes: weak battery or starter; fuel pressure or delivery fault; ignition fault

Toyota

Startability malfunction (Toyota): the engine took too long to start or failed to start. A logged history code; look for the root cause.

Usual causes: weak battery or starter; fuel delivery or pressure fault; ignition fault; dirty throttle body

What the repair usually costs

12 V battery replace, standard flooded (small / medium car)NZ$190–NZ$330 · A$170–A$310
12 V battery replace, standard flooded (SUV / ute / 4WD)NZ$290–NZ$500 · A$270–A$460
Throttle body clean and idle relearnNZ$90–NZ$190 · A$100–A$200
Electronic throttle body replaceNZ$470–NZ$1,290 · A$440–A$1,190

Not sure what P1604 means on your car? Ask Credov.

Before you clear it

Write the code down or photograph the scanner first. A code that comes straight back after clearing points to a fault that is still there. A car whose codes were cleared just before you arrived may be hiding one: the scanner's readiness monitors show "not ready" for a while after codes are cleared.

Researched by Credov from manufacturer and workshop sources. A fault code points to where a fault may be; a workshop confirms it with a diagnosis. Browse all fault codes.