P0562 – System voltage -low
| Code | Fault Location | Probable Cause |
|---|---|---|
| P0562 | System voltage -low (Buy Part On Amazon) | Wiring, poor connection, battery, alternator |
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Table of Contents
- What Does Code P0562 Mean?
- What are the common causes of code P0562 ?
- What are the symptoms of code P0562 ?
- How do you troubleshoot code P0562 ?
- Codes Related to P0562
- Get Help with P0562
What Does Code P0562 Mean?
A vehicle’s electrical system incorporates a charging system that is responsible for keeping the battery at full capacity as well as providing power for the vehicle’s electrical system while the engine is running. In a 12-volt system, a fully-charged battery should measure at 12.6 volts or higher and while the engine is running, the measurement should be in the range of 13.7 to 14.7 volts.
The alternator is the component that recharges the battery and powers your vehicle’s electrical system. If the alternator doesn’t put out an appropriate voltage, the battery reserve depletes and there is insufficient power to operate your car’s electrical functions. A DTC will set in the powertrain control module (PCM) and potentially other modules indicating the low voltage condition, and depending on the vehicle design, a low voltage warning message or battery light may illuminate.
Trouble code P0562 is a Type C DTC and is set in the PCM after just one instance of failure, though it won’t illuminate the malfunction indicator lamp (MIL) or Check Engine light. In most vehicles, the DTC is set when the voltage reading is less than 11 volts for at least 15 seconds, and in some cases, the DTC will set immediately if the voltage is significantly less than 10 volts.
What are the common causes of code P0562 ?
- Loose or damaged terminals at the alternator
- PCM failure
- Loose or worn alternator drive belt or serpentine belt
- Corroded, broken, or chafed wiring
- Insufficient battery charge or bad cell in battery
- Poor wiring connection
- Failed alternator
- Loose positive or negative battery terminal
What are the symptoms of code P0562 ?
- DTC P0562 will record a trouble code in the PCM
- The battery light may illuminate
- Low voltage warning, battery warning, or a charging system failure warning on the instrument panel
- Difficulty restarting the engine
- Flickering or dimming headlights and interior lights
- Audio system cuts out or turns off
- Erroneous DTC’s cause MIL to illuminate
- Improper shifting
How do you troubleshoot code P0562 ?
To trace the problem with DTC P0562,the most helpful tool is a digital volt-ohm meter or DVOM.
1. Visual inspection
A basic visual inspection is the best place to begin troubleshooting. With the engine turned off, inspect under the hood for indications of an alternator failure, loose connections, and a belt with improper tension. Press on the alternator drive belt to ensure there is sufficient tension to turn the pulley. Check for flat spots and signs of glazing or burning that would indicate a seized or failing alternator. Replace a stretched belt or weak tensioner before proceeding with further diagnosis.
Wiggle the battery cable clamps at the battery, ensuring they are well tightened and immovable by hand. Look for corrosion at the battery terminals, cracks or fraying on the battery cables.
2. Charging system test
With the engine running and all the vehicle accessories powered off, measure the battery voltage at the battery terminals with your DVOM. The reading should be anywhere from 12.6 to 15.0 volts. If the reading is below 12.6 volts, the battery is not receiving a charge from the alternator. This condition is typically due to a failed alternator which will be accompanied by hard starting, dim lights, and electrical functions such as the wipers and power windows operating slower or not at all.
If the voltage reading is within the normal range, you may have an intermittent condition or wiring issue causing your concern and setting a DTC for low voltage.
3. Wiring inspection
At the alternator, ensure all connections are properly seated or tight. Check for loose pins, fractures in the wire insulation, and signs of corrosion or water in the connector. Ensure the lock tabs on all alternator connectors are fully engaged to prevent poor connections.
Very carefully, trace the wiring from the alternator to the powertrain control module with the engine running, being mindful of the belt, pulleys and other moving parts. Perform a wiggle test along the length of each wire, monitoring your voltage for changes as you wiggle the wires. If the voltage drops or spikes significantly while performing your wiggle test in a particular area, repair the break and retest.
Check the connection at the PCM. Ensure there isn’t any corrosion or moisture at the corresponding pins, then ensure the connector is fully seated onto the module.
4. Battery test
With the engine off, test the battery with your DVOM at the battery posts. Battery voltage should be 12.0 to 12.6v and should maintain the voltage without dropping. Significant reduction in voltage indicates either a battery failure or a large parasitic draw, both of which can cause DTC P0562 to set.
You can also test the for proper battery voltage to the alternator. Measure the voltage between the positive terminal on the alternator and ground. Voltage should match that of the battery voltage at the battery. If it does not, the positive alternator circuit needs to be repaired.
Codes Related to P0562
P0563 – System voltage high
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I have been to advanced auto and they did a battery test and found nothing wrong. I always have issues on short trips. My vehicle will start fine in the beginning then when I am ready to leave it won’t start. I get a jump and it starts. The problem is with low voltage when i try to start the car.
Discovery 3. Ran test to clear out old gunk (eg false water coolant warning) and cleared data. Suddenly batt reading at 10.6v and will hardly crank. High end charger keeps giving an error reading so that doesn’t work. Ideas please because I’m stuck with 2.7 tons that doesn’t like a push start.
2008 jeep liberty limited 3.7l
After changing my spark plugs the other day I’ve been having an issue starting my truck, but only at certain times. I drive all day, cutting the truck on and off multiple times with no issue. I even go to bed and wake up, starts with no issue, however in the morning ill drive to my brothers house and hang for a couple hours, then I cant start. A jump starts it immediately so its obviously a power issue. So today the same things happens, 3rd time in a week I needed a jump. Now my brothers house is 3 mins away, then is sat for 3 hours, and no start. I get it jumped again, and this time I have a check engine with 2 codes.
P0652
P0706
Both seem to be a lower voltage issue, or could be caused by it. Now nothing has changed in the past month except changing my spark plugs. What would cause this??
Citroen grand picasso handbrake fault I have no handbrake at all dash coming up with esp/asr.iv had it plugged in and the code was 562 low voltage .battery seems ok starts no problem any idea thanks
Hi all Wish every one is Ok Yesterday I got an error code P0562 And that was due to loose battery terminal as the problem came from this side , Optra 2008 1.6 L automatic transmission Today i faced engine stall multiple time and i checked with my Autel MD802 all system and no code is recorded. I made idle relearn procedure manually,the throttle flactuation is much more lesser than before but still exist. Does the previous code P0562 affected the throttle position at idle and it needs to be reseted by advanced diagnostic tool ? Does any one have any idea
It’s po130 and po562
My 2002 VW Jetta 1.8t has no CEL but I realised that the traction and abs light flashed a day ago. Today I started the car,it started and engine cut off. I tried to restart but it won’t start. I jump started it, it started but when I push the gas pedal there is no response. I scanned the car and cam up with po139 po562. Help please
Kelly-
P0130 and P0139 are oxygen sensor codes, which wouldn’t prevent your car from starting. The low system voltage might be something, though. You might have a battery or charging system problem (I just replaced the alternator on my friend’s ’03 Jetta for no-start, because the battery wasn’t charging.) Have you checked all the fuses? When you jump-started the car, you didn’t hook it up backwards, right?
-Ben
I have a 2013 F150 fx4. It has never given me any trouble. A few weeks ago I got a check engine light. I don’t remember the code but it said something about bad gas or leaving the gas cap off or water in something. Anyway, it went away. Then about a week later my battery light came on for about 10 minutes and went away. Today I drove my truck and when I got back in, it wouldn’t start. You could hear it trying and turning but it never would start. Battery read 12.3 sitting. 10.4 when attempting to start (later 13.8 started). I started checking all the relays that had to do with fuel or starter and replacing with my wiper motor relay.I changed 2 good ones with 2 potential bad ones (wish I’d had done it 1 at a time) and the truck started. Swapt everything back to normal (to find the bad one) and the truck started. I never did find which was bad or if any was bad. All conections were good and also clean. You may be thinking one of the relays were stuck. I tapped on all of them before I tried swapping. The P0562 code wasn’t there a few weeks ago but is today. Went to advance. Battery starter and alternator all checked out. Battery connections are also good. What do I do next? Keep in mind, I’m no mechanic. Lol
Brentt-
If I understand the sequence of events correctly, I would say you can rule out the water/fuel thing and the relays. The battery light only lights when there’s not enough alternator output, which says slipping belt or bad alternator. That the battery light went out again means whatever happened restored alternator function. I would guess that your alternator is on its way out, and it’s not charging consistently.
Just the other day I had this problem on a Jetta. Pushing 14.2 V for a little while. Then, after shutting down and restarting, no alternator output (12.5 V and dropping!) Replaced alternator and everything was back to normal. I wonder if the alternator is covered under your warranty.
-Ben
1-replaced Battery/too low for start, first charged originial battery, couple days, same, I returned battery, for New battery, installed, car ran perfect, then for no reason that was apparent, the car wouldn’t start, -cranked over fine, but has a no start condition. I disconnected the breather manifold hose, squirted starter fluid, the engine fired, then shut down. I replaced the in-tank fuel pump,-filters,regulator assembled in tank basket. Still no start, replaced relay in under hood fuse panel. still;no start. the first code I received was p0562, then p0001, /I also replaced the Coil pack,and Alternator. all the parts I through at it, Still; No -Start. I am researching the Fuel Volumn Control Valve, /wiring. The resolution Center/ at Innova can not varify a fix for the problem,
Hi Ricky,
Thanks for your question. What kind of vehicle are you working on? Specific vehicle information may help troubleshoot your particular case.
In some instances, systems other than the alternator can cause low voltage codes. For example, a Chevrolet Traverse can experience DTC P0562 if the transmission control module has a low voltage condition. It can be caused by the charging system, damaged wiring, or even a bad TCM.
If you’re getting code P0001 along with P0562, I’d suggest checking for proper 12v power at the FVCV. If there is high/low resistance or an open in that circuit, it could explain not only DTC P0562 but the no-start condition as well.