Worn or failing alternator not producing enough output; Weak, old or sulphated battery that cannot hold charge; Loose, corroded or dirty battery terminals and earth connections; Slipping, worn or incorrectly tensioned drive belt, or a faulty tensioner; Damaged wiring, poor connections or high resistance in the charging circuit or alternator feed; Excessive parasitic load from added accessories or a faulty electrical component; Faulty control unit voltage sensing or a fault in the alternator regulation signal (varies by model).

P0562

System Voltage Low.

Generic
Powertrain
Generic code
Medium severity

How this code is built

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

What it means

P0562 is the generic code for system voltage low. The powertrain control module monitors the supply voltage on its power feed and, when it stays below the manufacturer's threshold while the engine is running, it sets this code. It points to a charging or power supply problem rather than a fault with one specific component.

Symptoms

Battery or charging warning light on the dashboard
Engine cranks slowly or struggles to start
Dim headlights or flickering interior lights
Rough idle, hesitation or stalling
Other warning lights or unrelated fault codes appearing
Electrical features behaving erratically or cutting out

Possible causes

Worn or failing alternator not producing enough outputlikely
Weak, old or sulphated battery that cannot hold chargelikely
Loose, corroded or dirty battery terminals and earth connectionslikely
Slipping, worn or incorrectly tensioned drive belt, or a faulty tensionerpossible
Damaged wiring, poor connections or high resistance in the charging circuit or alternator feedpossible
Excessive parasitic load from added accessories or a faulty electrical componentpossible
Faulty control unit voltage sensing or a fault in the alternator regulation signal (varies by model)rare

How to diagnose

Read all stored codes and the freeze frame data to see engine speed, load and voltage when the code set, and note any other charging or communication codes.
Visually inspect the battery terminals, earth straps and alternator wiring for corrosion, looseness, heat damage or chafing.
Check the drive belt condition and tension, and confirm the alternator pulley turns freely without slipping.
Measure battery voltage with the engine off after the car has rested; a healthy battery is typically around 12.4 to 12.7 volts.
Measure voltage at the battery with the engine running at idle and again at raised revs; check it against the manufacturer's specified charging range, which varies by model.
Load test the battery and check its state of health using the appropriate test equipment.
Perform a voltage drop test on the alternator output cable and the main earth path while the system is under load.
Check for excessive parasitic drain and for aftermarket accessories adding load, then follow the model-specific charging system test procedure.

How to fix

Clean and tighten battery terminals and earth connections, replacing any corroded or damaged ones.
Replace the battery if it fails a load or health test.
Replace the alternator, or its regulator where serviced separately, if output is below specification.
Replace the drive belt and tensioner if worn or slipping.
Repair or replace damaged wiring, connectors or fuses in the charging circuit.
Remove or correct any faulty or excessive electrical load, then clear the code and confirm it does not return.

Can I keep driving?

Medium severity

Short, essential journeys are usually possible, but the car may stall or fail to restart once the battery runs down. Get the charging system checked soon, and avoid long trips or relying on the car until it is fixed.

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