P061E
Internal Control Module Brake Signal Performance
ECM / internal module
Generic OBD-II
High
What it means
P061E means the ECM's internal check of the brake-signal information found it implausible or out of range. The engine and brakes still work, but functions that depend on knowing whether the brake is pressed — cruise control cancel, shift interlock, and some safety features — may be disabled. A faulty or misadjusted brake light switch is the most common trigger.
High
Can I keep driving? The car drives, but features that rely on the brake signal (cruise control, shift interlock, some safety functions) may be disabled — have it diagnosed soon.
Common symptoms
What you'll notice
- Check-engine light on
- Cruise control disabled or won't cancel on braking
- Transmission won't shift out of Park or won't downshift normally
- Other brake-related warning behavior
Common causes
Most likely first
- Faulty or misadjusted brake light switchLikely
- Brake switch signal wiring or connector faultCommon
- Disagreement between redundant brake signals reaching the ECMCommon
- Internal ECM fault (less common)Less often
How to diagnose & fix
Work through it in order
- Check the brake light switch operation and adjustment — brake lights should turn on and off cleanly.
- Inspect the brake switch wiring and connector for damage or corrosion.
- Scan live data and compare the brake-signal inputs the ECM receives.
- If the brake switch and wiring are good, reprogram or replace the ECM as a last step. Clear and re-test.
FAQ
Quick answers
Is it safe to drive with P061E?+
Braking itself is unaffected, but features that depend on the brake signal — cruise control, shift interlock — may not work. Have it checked promptly.
Can I just clear P061E?+
It will return while the brake signal reads implausibly. Start with the brake light switch, which is the most common cause.
Related codes
Often seen with P061E
Read & clear P061E yourself
Scan your car, confirm the code, and clear it once it's fixed — with OBD DashX on your phone.
✓ Verified name — SAE J2012 / ISO 15031-6Guidance reviewed by OBD DashX