Supply problem: faulty or overloaded home charge point, socket, extension lead or portable charging cable limiting current; Damaged, worn or contaminated charge inlet pins or poor connection at the charge port; Faulty charging cable control box or damaged cable with a high resistance or open circuit conductor; Wiring or connector fault between the charge port and the onboard charger, including corrosion or loose pins; Internal fault in the onboard charger or its current sensor giving a false low reading; Charger control unit software outdated or faulty, where a revised calibration is a known fix for the model; Low or unstable mains voltage at the property causing the charger to reduce input current.

P0D29

Battery Charger Input Current Too Low.

Generic
Powertrain
Generic code
Low severity

How this code is built

P: SystemPowertrain
0: Defined bySAE, the same on every car
D: AreaReserved
29: FaultThe specific fault in that area

What it means

P0D29 is a generic powertrain code meaning the battery charger input current is too low. On plug-in hybrid and electric vehicles, the charger control unit monitors the current drawn from the external supply while charging. If the measured current is below what it expects or has requested, it sets the code and may limit or stop charging.

Symptoms

Vehicle charges very slowly or not at all when plugged in
Charging starts then stops or cuts out part way
Charging indicator or dashboard shows a charging fault or warning light
Charge port light flashes an error pattern or shows a fault colour
High voltage battery state of charge does not rise as expected
Reduced electric range or hybrid system warning

Possible causes

Supply problem: faulty or overloaded home charge point, socket, extension lead or portable charging cable limiting currentlikely
Damaged, worn or contaminated charge inlet pins or poor connection at the charge portlikely
Faulty charging cable control box or damaged cable with a high resistance or open circuit conductorpossible
Wiring or connector fault between the charge port and the onboard charger, including corrosion or loose pinspossible
Internal fault in the onboard charger or its current sensor giving a false low readingpossible
Charger control unit software outdated or faulty, where a revised calibration is a known fix for the modelrare
Low or unstable mains voltage at the property causing the charger to reduce input currentrare

How to diagnose

Read all stored and pending codes and freeze frame data, noting charge state, supply voltage and current at the time the fault set
Try a different charge point or socket and a different compatible cable to see whether the fault follows the supply or the vehicle
Inspect the charge cable and plug for damage, heat marks, water ingress or bent pins
Inspect the vehicle charge inlet for debris, corrosion, burnt or loose terminals and check the port latch operates properly
Check the supply: confirm the charge point or socket is working correctly, properly rated and not shared with a heavy load, and check for any fault on the unit itself
Check live data for requested versus actual charger input current and voltage during a charge attempt
Inspect wiring and connectors between the inlet and onboard charger for damage, corrosion and poor terminal tension, following the manufacturer's high voltage safety procedure
Check for software updates or technical bulletins for the model and charger, as procedures and fault tolerances vary by vehicle

How to fix

Repair or replace the faulty charge point, socket or supply wiring using a qualified electrician
Replace a damaged charging cable or control box
Clean or replace a damaged charge inlet and its terminals
Repair or replace faulty wiring or connectors between the inlet and charger
Replace the onboard charger if testing confirms an internal fault, then complete any required setup for that model
Update the charger control unit software where an outdated calibration is confirmed as the cause

Can I keep driving?

Low severity

The car can normally be driven as usual, though on a plug-in hybrid it will rely more on the engine and on an electric car you should make sure you have enough charge to reach your destination. Book it in for diagnosis, and avoid using a charge point or cable you suspect is damaged.

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