P0560: System voltage: malfunction
The ECU detects that the battery voltage reaching it is wrong or unstable. It usually comes down to the battery, its terminals or the alternator.
| Code | P0560 |
|---|---|
| System | Engine and transmission |
| Group | P05xx, Speed, idle and auxiliary inputs |
| Type | Generic: it means the same on every make |
| Can you keep driving? | With care |
What P0560 means
The ECU keeps an eye on the car’s electrical supply voltage. This code means that voltage is outside the normal range or behaving erratically. The usual culprits are a tired battery, loose terminals, a poor earth or an alternator that is not charging properly.
Most common causes
- Battery terminals loose, dirty or corroded
- Old battery or one with a damaged cell
- Poor earth strap between engine and body
- Failing alternator or voltage regulator
- Fuse or ECU supply wire making poor contact
Symptoms
- Engine warning light on, sometimes with the battery light
- Slow or difficult starting
- Lights dimming or brightening
- Other warning lights or random electrical glitches
Can you drive with P0560?
With care You can drive, but the car could run the battery flat or cut out if the alternator is not charging. Get it checked soon.
Open the bonnetthe in-depth explanation
How to check it
Look at the live control module voltage on the scan tool: engine off it should be around 12.4 to 12.7 volts, and with the engine running it should rise to about 13.5 to 14.5. If it does not rise once started, the alternator is not charging.
How to read and clear P0560 with Final OBD
Plug an OBD2 scanner in under the steering wheel, switch the ignition on and open Final OBD. Under Faults you’ll see P0560 with its description and whether it’s confirmed, pending or permanent.
If the engine stores it over standard OBD, with FREE you read this code with its explanation for nothing and clear it. With PRO you also read the faults of every control unit and clear them in all of them.
Clearing the code only turns the light off: if the cause is still there, it comes back. Clear it once it’s fixed, and not right before an inspection. It’s all in how to read and clear fault codes and in inspections and OBD.
Similar codes
- P055B The engine oil pressure sensor B gives readings outside the normal range
- P055C The engine oil pressure sensor B gives a lower signal than normal
- P055D The engine oil pressure sensor B gives a higher signal than normal
- P055E There is a fault in the lambda sensor control unit system voltage
- P0561 The system supply voltage is unstable
- P0562 System voltage low
- P0563 System voltage high
- P0564 Fault in the cruise control or speed limiter switch (the steering wheel buttons
- P0500 Vehicle speed sensor malfunction
- P0501 Vehicle speed sensor range/performance
- P0502 Vehicle speed sensor circuit low input
- P0503 Vehicle speed sensor intermittent, erratic or high
To understand it properly
We explain how that system works, with drawings and no waffle, in our mechanics guide: Batteries.
What does code P0560 mean?
The ECU keeps an eye on the car’s electrical supply voltage. This code means that voltage is outside the normal range or behaving erratically. The usual culprits are a tired battery, loose terminals, a poor earth or an alternator that is not charging properly.
Can you drive with P0560?
You can drive, but the car could run the battery flat or cut out if the alternator is not charging. Get it checked soon.
How do you clear P0560?
With an OBD2 scanner and an app like Final OBD, which clears it for free if it’s stored by the engine control unit. But clearing it only turns the light off: if the cause isn’t fixed, P0560 comes back.
Read it on your car
Final OBD reads and clears engine faults through standard OBD for free, each one explained in plain English. With PRO it also reads the faults of every control unit, each make’s own codes included, and clears them in all of them.
