P0562
System Voltage Low
Charging / electrical
Generic OBD-II
High
What it means
P0562 means the ECM has seen the vehicle's electrical system voltage stay below the normal range (roughly 13.5–14.5V with the engine running). It usually points to a charging-system problem — a failing alternator, weak battery, or bad connection — rather than the ECM itself. Because everything electrical runs off that voltage, ignoring it can lead to stalling and a car that won't restart.
High
Can I keep driving? Risky — low system voltage means the charging system is failing; the car can stall or fail to restart once the battery drains, so address it promptly.
Common symptoms
What you'll notice
- Battery or charging warning light on the dashboard
- Dim or flickering headlights and interior lights
- Hard starting, or stalling and no-restart once the battery is depleted
- Erratic electrical accessories (windows, radio, gauges)
Common causes
Most likely first
- Failing alternator or worn/slipping drive belt — most commonLikely
- Weak or failing batteryCommon
- Loose or corroded battery, ground, or alternator cable connectionsCommon
- Failed voltage regulator (often internal to the alternator)Less often
- Wiring fault in the charging circuit, or rarely the ECMLess often
How to diagnose & fix
Work through it in order
- Measure battery voltage with the engine off (should be ~12.6V), then running (should rise to ~13.5–14.5V) — a low running value points at the charging system.
- Inspect and clean the battery terminals and grounds, and check the drive belt's tension and condition.
- Load-test the battery; replace it if it's weak or old.
- Test the alternator's output under load; replace the alternator or regulator if it can't hold charging voltage.
- Repair any damaged charging-circuit wiring, then clear and re-test.
FAQ
Quick answers
Is it safe to drive with P0562?+
Not far. If the alternator isn't charging, the car is running off the battery and will eventually stall and refuse to restart. Get the charging system tested before driving any distance.
Can I just clear P0562?+
It will come straight back while system voltage stays low. The code clears itself once the charging system holds proper voltage again — fix the alternator, battery, or connections first.
Related codes
Often seen with P0562
Read & clear P0562 yourself
Scan your car, confirm the code, and clear it once it's fixed — with OBD DashX on your phone.
✓ Verified name — SAE J2012 / ISO 15031-6Guidance reviewed by OBD DashX