P0562: System voltage low
The ECU sees less voltage than it should on the electrical system. Usually a flat battery, loose terminals or an alternator that is not charging.
| Code | P0562 |
|---|---|
| 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 P0562 means
The ECU has measured a supply voltage below normal. Most often the battery is low or the alternator is not charging. It can also come from a bad connection at the terminals, the earths or the wire that feeds the ECU itself.
Most common causes
- Discharged battery or one near the end of its life
- Battery terminals loose or corroded
- Alternator belt loose, slipping or broken
- Faulty alternator or regulator
- Poor engine or ECU earth
- Something draining the battery while the car is parked
Symptoms
- Engine warning light and often the battery light on
- Car struggles to start
- Dim or flickering lights
- Assorted electrical faults, locks or radio resetting
Can you drive with P0562?
With care If the alternator is not charging, the car will drain the battery until it stops. Keep journeys short and get it checked as soon as possible.
Open the bonnetthe in-depth explanation
How to check it
With the engine running, check the control module voltage on the scan tool: if it stays below about 13 volts, the alternator is not charging properly. Engine off, a reading under 12.2 volts means a low battery.
How to read and clear P0562 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 P0562 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
- 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
- P0560 System voltage: malfunction
- P0561 The system supply voltage is unstable
- P0563 System voltage high
- P0564 Fault in the cruise control or speed limiter switch (the steering wheel buttons
- P0565 There is a fault in the cruise control in the signal
- P0566 The off signal from the cruise control main switch is faulty
- 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 P0562 mean?
The ECU has measured a supply voltage below normal. Most often the battery is low or the alternator is not charging. It can also come from a bad connection at the terminals, the earths or the wire that feeds the ECU itself.
Can you drive with P0562?
If the alternator is not charging, the car will drain the battery until it stops. Keep journeys short and get it checked as soon as possible.
How do you clear P0562?
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, P0562 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.
