P0560 means System Voltage. The computer has detected that system voltage is outside its expected range or unstable. 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 P0560 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.
P0560 symptoms
- Check engine light
- Battery light
- Dim lights, slow cranking or electrical glitches
Common causes of P0560
- Weak or failing battery
- Failing alternator or regulator
- Loose or corroded battery cables and grounds
- Excessive electrical load
How to diagnose P0560
- Test battery voltage with the engine off and running
- Load-test the battery
- Check charging voltage and cable connections
Can you drive with P0560?
Usually yes, but a charging fault can leave you stranded.
P0560 tips
A battery near the end of its life can set voltage codes on cold mornings; load-test it before replacing the alternator.
Will P0560 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 P0560 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 |
|---|---|
| P0562 | System Voltage Low |
| P0563 | System Voltage High |
| P0606 | Control Module Processor |
Guides that help
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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