Faulty battery temperature sensor or battery monitoring module with an internal short; Signal wire chafed and shorted to earth, or wiring damaged near the battery or along the harness; Corroded, wet or damaged connector at the sensor causing a low signal voltage; Poor earth connection or corroded battery terminals affecting the sensor reading; Faulty or ageing battery or charging system giving implausible temperature data; Internal fault in the powertrain control module or other controlling module.

P0516

Battery Temperature Sensor Circuit Low.

Generic
Powertrain
Generic code
Low severity

How this code is built

P: SystemPowertrain
0: Defined bySAE, the same on every car
5: AreaVehicle speed, idle control and auxiliary inputs
16: FaultThe specific fault in that area

What it means

P0516 means the powertrain control module has detected a voltage in the battery temperature sensor circuit that is lower than expected. The signal is usually read as a very high temperature or a short to earth. The sensor may be a separate part, built into the battery negative lead, or integrated with the battery current sensor, depending on the vehicle.

Symptoms

Battery or charging warning light on, or engine management light on
Charging system behaving oddly, such as a flat battery or over-charging
Stop-start system not working or disabled
Hard starting or a weak battery after short journeys
No noticeable symptoms other than the warning light

Possible causes

Faulty battery temperature sensor or battery monitoring module with an internal shortlikely
Signal wire chafed and shorted to earth, or wiring damaged near the battery or along the harnesslikely
Corroded, wet or damaged connector at the sensor causing a low signal voltagepossible
Poor earth connection or corroded battery terminals affecting the sensor readingpossible
Faulty or ageing battery or charging system giving implausible temperature datapossible
Internal fault in the powertrain control module or other controlling modulerare

How to diagnose

Read all stored codes and freeze frame data, and note whether other charging, battery or voltage codes are present
Check the battery condition, terminal tightness and corrosion, and test battery voltage at rest and while running
Locate the battery temperature sensor for this model, as its position and type vary, and inspect it and its wiring for damage, rubbing or heat
Check the connector for water, corrosion and bent or loose pins
View the live battery temperature reading and compare it with the actual temperature of the battery and the surroundings; a cold battery showing a very high reading suggests a short or faulty sensor
With the connector unplugged, check the sensor resistance and the circuit for a short to earth, using the manufacturer's specification for the vehicle
Check the reference voltage and earth at the connector, then clear the code and road test to see if it returns

How to fix

Replace the battery temperature sensor or the battery monitoring unit if it is faulty, following the vehicle's procedure for registering a new part if required
Repair or replace damaged wiring that is shorted to earth
Clean or replace the corroded or damaged connector
Clean and tighten the battery terminals and earth connections
Replace the battery if it is failing and the system requires it to be registered or coded afterwards
Repair or replace the control module only after the wiring and sensor have been confirmed good

Can I keep driving?

Low severity

The car can usually be driven while you arrange a repair, as the fault mainly affects charge control. If the battery warning light is on or the car struggles to start, have it checked soon to avoid being stranded.

Guide written by AI from the code's definition. Confirm with a diagnosis before replacing parts.