P0562 means System Voltage Low. The engine computer has seen supply voltage below its normal range for long enough to set a code. It is a generic OBD-II code, so the definition is the same on any make, but the most likely cause varies by engine; confirm with a scan tool and the service information for your vehicle before buying parts.
What P0562 means
Modern vehicles have many control modules that share information over a network, usually called the CAN bus. Codes starting with U mean a module has stopped hearing another one, and voltage and processor codes mean a module is not getting clean power or has an internal fault. Low battery voltage, poor grounds, blown fuses and damaged wiring cause many of these codes, so test the battery and charging system first.
P0562 symptoms
- Dim lights or a battery warning light
- Hard starting
- Erratic gauges or several warning lights
- Harsh shifting on some automatics
Common causes of P0562
- Failing alternator or a slipping belt
- Weak battery
- Corroded or loose battery cables and grounds
- Excessive electrical draw
How to diagnose P0562
- Measure battery voltage with the engine off and running (charging voltage is typically around 13.5 to 14.7 volts)
- Load-test the battery
- Clean and tighten the battery terminals and engine grounds
- Check the alternator output and belt
Can you drive with P0562?
For short distances, but the vehicle may stall when the battery runs down. Repair soon.
P0562 tips
Low system voltage causes strange symptoms in many modules, including shift problems and false sensor codes. Fix the charging system first, then clear all codes and see which ones come back.
Will P0562 clear itself?
If the fault stops, the computer turns off the check engine light by itself after several drive cycles without seeing it again, and the code stays in memory as history for a while. Clearing P0562 with a scan tool after a repair is fine, but if the cause is still there the code returns, sometimes within one drive. Disconnecting the battery also clears codes on most vehicles, but it erases learned fuel trims and idle settings as well.
Related codes
| Code | Meaning |
|---|---|
| P0606 | Control Module Processor |
| U0100 | Lost Communication With ECM/PCM A |
| P2101 | Throttle Actuator Control Motor Circuit Range/Performance |
Guides that help
- car battery life and voltage
- serpentine belt and tensioner
- battery light on
- bad alternator symptoms
- limp mode
- transmission control module
When it is more than a sensor
Voltage and network codes come from wiring, the battery, the charging system or a module, not from engine or transmission wear. If a lost-communication code has left the transmission in limp mode, rule out the module and wiring before deciding the unit has failed, and see our transmissions only if testing confirms internal damage.
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