P0562 Code: Meaning, Causes, Symptoms and How to Fix it

The error P0562 is an OBD-II code that occurs due to a low system voltage. The code is stored on your check engine light if your car voltage drops below 10 volts for over a minute.

In this article, I’ll show you all you need to know about the P0562 code, including its causes, symptoms, and how to repair the code on your vehicle.

Table of Contents

What is the Error P0562 Code

The Error P0562 code usually appears when the PCM notices a vehicle’s voltage is too low.

P0562 is a Diagnostic Trouble Code for OBD-II System Voltage Low. It can only be caused when the power train control module notices the voltage below the manufacturer’s specifications.

A vehicle car charging system helps maintain a voltage between 14.1V to 14.4V DC when idle. The P0562 code will be stored in the PCM, illuminating the malfunction indicator light or the CEL.

What Causes a P0562 Code

One or a combination of these could result in your vehicle running into the error P0562 code.

Drained Battery
A faulty alternator
A bad voltage regulator
A defective battery or battery cables
Poor battery terminal Connection
The wiring harness between the alternator and the PCM
Faulty charging system grounds
Defective wiring or connectors to the alternator
Failing Alternator
A Faulty PCM (A rare case)

The first step to capturing the cause of the error P0562 on your vehicle is visually inspecting all the specified regions for the above reasons.

What are the Signs of Error P0562 Code?

You should notice any or all of the below symptoms if your vehicle runs into an error P0562.

Low fuel efficiency
Check engine light or MIL illumination
The battery runs down when the car is idle
Unable to shift properly
Battery light illumination
The engine takes longer to respond or won’t respond at all.
No Signs

Most of these symptoms are affiliated with other OBD-II codes and might confuse you on which one your car ran into. So, it’s best to seek the support of a professional auto technician in diagnosing the error.

How to Fix Code P0562

Here are possible fixes you could try if your vehicle runs into the error P0562 code.

Alternator Replacement
Battery replacement or charging
Battery cable replacement
Jump-starting the battery
Fixing or changing a faulty voltage regulator
Check the wiring harness connecting to the alternator from the PCM
PCM replacement or repair

You can also try charging or replacing any bad charging system grounds and see if the error P0562 code is fixed.

In most cases, you’ll need the help of an auto technician to diagnose the issue and implement appropriate fixes properly.

How to Diagnose the P0562 Code

An auto technician will use the OBD-II scanner to check if it’s only the P0562 code or if there are other error codes stored on your vehicle’s charging system.

Once the appropriate code is found, they’ll implement appropriate fixes for all of them and clear the code; after that, they’ll run a test to ensure the error has been repaired.

Common mistakes to avoid while diagnosing the P0562 Code

Most people often make the common mistake of concluding the P0562 code results from a bad battery or starter.

Meanwhile, changing these two may not be the fix to clearing the code; performing a proper diagnosis is essential to ensure the error isn’t a sister code to the P0562.

How Serious is the P0562 Code?

The P0562 code is severe and should be taken seriously. The code could cause your vehicle to stall or won’t start again due to a low voltage.

Requires you to push start the vehicle at times while, in most cases, that won’t ignite your vehicle. It’s essential to fix it to prevent accidents.

FAQs

How do I fix low voltage on a car?

These are fixed. You can resort to them if your vehicle runs into a low voltage.

1. Battery Charging: You can try recharging your car battery since the P0562 low voltage code results from sudden battery drainage. This should also be adopted if you put your car’s battery on a cold floor for a long.

2. Battery replacement: If your battery is faulty and runs down too often, it’s expediting that you get a replacement that’ll serve you better.

3. Jump-start the battery: Booster cables pass current from a charged car to a dead or discharged battery. All you’ve to do is to connect the two batteries in parallel

4. Replacing the alternator: Getting a new one should be your last resort if none works out. It simply means the old alternator is weak.

There are many fixes to check out, but I believe these 4 should fix a low-voltage code on your vehicle.

Will a failing alternator throw a code?

If your alternator fails, you’ll get an error P0562 code on your check engine light when connecting a code reader.

Conclusion

As stated earlier, the P0562 code might not display any symptoms. That’s why it’s recommended to perform regular checkups on your battery, alternator, and other parts of your vehicle.

So, once you notice your check engine light is on due to the P0562 code, you must initiate a repair so it doesn’t leave you stranded.

Furthermore, you could hire a professional mechanic to help you run a proper checkup on your vehicle to enable you to pass the OBD-II emission test.