Damaged, corroded or loose pin or connector in the charge inlet or control pilot wiring; Open circuit or broken wire in the control pilot line between the charge inlet and the charger control unit; Fault in the charging switch or relay in the control pilot circuit; Faulty charge cable or charge point not supplying a proper control pilot signal; Water ingress or contamination in the charge inlet; Fault in the on-board charger or charging control unit, or outdated software.

P0CF8

Control Pilot Charging Switch A Circuit/Open.

Generic
Powertrain
Generic code
Medium severity

How this code is built

P: SystemPowertrain
0: Defined bySAE, the same on every car
C: AreaHybrid propulsion
F8: FaultThe specific fault in that area

What it means

P0CF8 is a generic code meaning the control unit has detected an open circuit or no valid response in the control pilot charging switch 'A' circuit. The control pilot line carries the signalling between the charge point and the vehicle's charging control unit, and it sets the charging state and current limit. The exact switch and monitoring method vary by manufacturer and model, so check the vehicle-specific wiring information.

Symptoms

Vehicle will not start charging, or charging stops soon after it starts
Charge port light or dashboard shows a charging fault or no charging status
Charging works on some charge points but not others
Charge cable appears to lock but no current flows
Warning light or message for the charging or high-voltage system
Reduced electric range because the battery cannot be topped up

Possible causes

Damaged, corroded or loose pin or connector in the charge inlet or control pilot wiringlikely
Open circuit or broken wire in the control pilot line between the charge inlet and the charger control unitlikely
Fault in the charging switch or relay in the control pilot circuitpossible
Faulty charge cable or charge point not supplying a proper control pilot signalpossible
Water ingress or contamination in the charge inletpossible
Fault in the on-board charger or charging control unit, or outdated softwarerare

How to diagnose

Read all stored and pending codes and record the freeze frame data, noting whether other charging or high-voltage codes are present
Try a different charge cable and a different charge point to rule out external equipment
Inspect the charge inlet for bent, burnt, corroded or dirty pins, moisture and debris, with the vehicle switched off and the charger disconnected
Check the connectors and wiring from the charge inlet to the charger control unit for chafing, damage and pin tension
Using the manufacturer's wiring diagram, test the control pilot circuit for continuity and shorts, following the safe high-voltage working procedure
Check the live data for the control pilot state and charging switch status while plugging in, if the vehicle supports it
Check for relevant technical service bulletins and software updates for the charging control unit on this model
Clear the code and retest by attempting a charge to see if it returns

How to fix

Clean or replace the damaged charge inlet or its terminals
Repair or replace the open or damaged control pilot wiring and connectors
Replace the faulty charging switch or relay, where the model allows it as a separate part
Replace a faulty charge cable or have the charge point repaired
Dry out and seal the charge inlet area after water ingress, and replace any corroded parts
Replace or update the charger control unit only after the wiring and inlet have been proven good

Can I keep driving?

Medium severity

The car can usually still be driven while there is charge or fuel, but it may not be able to recharge, so you could be left short of range. Have it checked soon, and stop using the charge port if you see heat, burning smells or damage.

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