Chrysler 71 5 Volt Reference Output Low
How to read it
Code 71 reads as 7 flashes, pause, 1 flash on the check-engine light. Cycle the ignition key on, off, on, off, then leave it on with the engine off, and count the flashes on the power loss or check-engine light.
New to flash codes? The How to Read Chrysler OBD-I Codes with the Key Cycle walks through the test and what the numbers mean. The general OBD-I guide covers the rest.
What does Chrysler code 71 mean?
5 Volt Reference Output Low
Common causes of 71
- Shorted 5 volt reference wire to ground
- Failed sensor pulling the reference voltage down
- Faulty 5 volt regulator inside the controller
- Corroded connector on a reference circuit
How to fix 71
- Unplug sensors on the 5 volt reference one at a time and watch the code
- Backprobe the reference wire for 5 volts with the key on
- Inspect the reference wiring for shorts to ground
- Identify a failed sensor pulling the reference low
- Replace the controller only if the reference stays low with all sensors unplugged
- Clear the code and retest
Source
Qualified source review
Sources and review
Review: qualified. Read the source limits below.
- Chrysler OBD-I trouble codes, model and year page
live reference page (troublecodes.net)
Supports: code identity and Chrysler meaning
Fetched directly from the linked model page. Single publisher, so the record is qualified, not verified. Causes and check order are curator-written from the circuit the code names.
https://www.troublecodes.net/chrysler/95_20X/
Last updated 2026-10-10.
Report a correction for 71. Include your vehicle, the issue and a source if you have one.