P0317
Rough Road Hardware Not PresentP0317 is a generic OBD-II powertrain diagnostic trouble code: Rough Road Hardware Not Present. It is logged by the engine control unit when the misfire monitor detects that a specific fault threshold has been exceeded — typically resulting in the malfunction-indicator lamp (MIL / check-engine light) being illuminated.
What P0317 means
P0317 is set when the Powertrain Control Module (PCM) determines that the expected rough road hardware is not present or not communicating. The rough road detection system is used on certain platforms — including GM, Ford, and BMW — to suppress the misfire monitor during wheel-hop events on uneven surfaces. Without this safeguard, crankshaft velocity irregularities caused by road inputs can be incorrectly flagged as cylinder misfires.
The PCM expects to receive input from rough road hardware, which may be a dedicated accelerometer, an ABS-based signal from the Electronic Brake Control Module (EBCM), or a wheel speed differential calculation. When the module polls for this hardware during a drive cycle and receives no valid response — or none at all — it logs P0317. This does not indicate the road surface is rough; it means the detection capability itself is absent or unverified.
In most cases the MIL will illuminate, but driveability impact is typically limited. The misfire monitor may become overly sensitive on rough roads, potentially generating false P030x misfire codes as a secondary effect. Diagnosis focuses on confirming whether the vehicle is configured to use rough road hardware and whether that hardware and its wiring are intact.
Common causes
Most-frequently reported root causes when P0317 is logged.
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1
Rough road sensor or accelerometer is physically absent, disconnected, or was never installed for the vehicle trim level.
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2
Open circuit, short to ground, or corroded connector in the rough road sensor signal wiring.
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3
Faulty Electronic Brake Control Module (EBCM) failing to transmit rough road data on vehicles that derive the signal from ABS wheel speeds.
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4
PCM software misconfiguration — vehicle options programmed incorrectly, causing the module to expect hardware that is not fitted.
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5
Damaged or broken wiring harness between the EBCM/accelerometer and the PCM.
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6
Failed or intermittently faulty rough road sensor (accelerometer type).
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7
Poor ground connection at the sensor or EBCM degrading the signal reference.
Symptoms drivers notice
How to diagnose P0317
A typical diagnostic flow when this code is present.
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1
Connect an OBD-II scan tool and record all stored and pending codes, noting any concurrent misfire or ABS codes.
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2
Check vehicle build data or RPO codes to confirm whether rough road hardware is specified for this build.
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3
Inspect the rough road sensor or accelerometer (if fitted) for physical damage, contamination, and secure mounting.
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4
Inspect all wiring and connectors in the rough road sensor circuit for corrosion, chafing, open circuits, or shorts.
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5
On vehicles that use EBCM-derived rough road data, verify EBCM communication and check for EBCM-specific fault codes.
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6
Use a bidirectional scan tool to check for live rough road sensor data; absence of a valid PID confirms missing or non-communicating hardware.
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7
If wiring and hardware are confirmed intact, check PCM calibration or option codes — reprogramming may be required if the module is configured for hardware not present on the vehicle.
Related powertrain codes
Frequently asked questions
Will P0317 cause my car to run poorly?
Generally no — under normal driving conditions you are unlikely to notice a driveability problem. The main risk is that without rough road suppression, the misfire monitor may generate false misfire codes when driving on bumpy roads, which could trigger further diagnostic confusion.
Is P0317 the same as a misfire code?
No. P0317 means the system that prevents false misfire detections on rough roads is absent or not working. It does not itself indicate an engine misfire, though it can cause the conditions that lead to false misfire codes being logged.
Which vehicles most commonly show P0317?
GM (Chevrolet, GMC, Buick, Cadillac), Ford, and BMW vehicles with the OBD-II misfire monitor are the most frequent candidates. Not all vehicles are designed to use rough road hardware, so this code is only relevant on platforms where the feature is expected by the PCM.
Can P0317 be fixed by a software update?
On some vehicles, particularly where the PCM is incorrectly calibrated for a trim level without a physical sensor, a PCM reflash or options-coding correction can resolve the code. However, if actual hardware is missing or damaged, a physical repair is required.
Disabling P0317 in software
RaceTune can permanently disable P0317 — and any other OBD-II diagnostic trouble code — on every ECU family we support. The monitor is disabled inside the ECU itself, so the fault stops being logged: the warning light stays off and the engine never enters limp mode for this code. The change is tied to your exact software version.
Software modifications affect emissions compliance and are not road-legal in many jurisdictions. RaceTune service files are intended for motorsport, off-road, and export use.
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