A drive circuit fault detection device comprising an discriminating circuit (10) generating a digital signal, the level of which indicates a fault; and an identifying circuit (12) generating a binary-coded signal (F1, F2) indicating the type of fault, i.e. ground shorting of the drive circuit (1) or an open load (5). The discriminating circuit (10) comprises a resistive network (14) connected to the output (4) of the drive circuit (1), for generating a voltage (V1) indicating correct connection of the load (5) or a fault on the drive circuit (1); and a comparator (15) for comparing the aforementioned voltage with a reference value (VREF) and supplying the digital signal. The identifying circuit (12) comprises a current mirror circuit (28) generating an output voltage (V2) having two different logic levels in the event of short circuiting or an open load (5), the binary-coded output signal (F1, F2) being generated by a combination circuit (34-37).