P0562 System Voltage Low
P0562 is a generic OBD2 powertrain code. It means “System Voltage Low” — the same on every make and model, because the definition comes from the SAE J2012 standard rather than from the carmaker.
Ask the AI about P0562 on your car- System
- Powertrain (P)
- Code type
- Generic (SAE)
- Range
- P05xx
- Urgency
- High
What P0562 means
The engine computer measured its supply voltage outside the normal window — too low (P0562) or too high (P0563). With the engine running, a healthy charging system usually holds roughly 13.5–14.7 V.
Symptoms
- A battery or charging warning lamp
- Dim or flickering lights
- Starting problems
- Several unrelated warning lamps or codes at once
Most likely causes
- A failing alternator or voltage regulator
- A worn or slipping drive belt
- A weak battery
- Corroded or loose battery terminals and ground straps
- For P0563, a regulator that is overcharging
What to check first
- Measure the battery voltage with the engine off (about 12.6 V when charged) and running
- Inspect the battery terminals, the ground straps and the drive belt
- Have the alternator and the battery load-tested
Can I keep driving with P0562?
Limit driving — get it checked promptly
Not far. A charging fault can drain the battery and leave you stranded, and overcharging (P0563) can damage the battery and the electronics.
What the wording tells you
The wording describes a quantity — a pressure, a speed, a voltage, a level — that measured lower than it should. The circuit is usually fine: the system itself is falling short, so check the mechanical or hydraulic side (and the sensor’s accuracy) before the wiring.
How P0562 breaks down
Powertrain. Engine, transmission, fuel and emissions — the codes behind the check engine lamp.
Generic code: defined by SAE, the same on every make.
Speed, idle control & auxiliary inputs.
The specific fault within this range.
Where to look: Speed, idle control & auxiliary inputs
Vehicle speed sensors, idle speed control, cruise control, A/C pressure sensors, the charging system and battery voltage, oil pressure and level, and the brake and clutch switches — the signals the engine computer takes from outside the engine itself.
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Frequently asked
What does P0562 mean?
P0562 is a generic OBD2 powertrain code. It means “System Voltage Low” — the same on every make and model, because the definition comes from the SAE J2012 standard rather than from the carmaker. The engine computer measured its supply voltage outside the normal window — too low (P0562) or too high (P0563). With the engine running, a healthy charging system usually holds roughly 13.5–14.7 V.
Can I drive with P0562?
Not far. A charging fault can drain the battery and leave you stranded, and overcharging (P0563) can damage the battery and the electronics.
What causes P0562?
A failing alternator or voltage regulator; A worn or slipping drive belt; A weak battery; Corroded or loose battery terminals and ground straps; For P0563, a regulator that is overcharging.
How do I clear P0562?
Fix the cause first, then clear it with any OBD2 scanner or app. Once the fault is gone the car also clears it on its own: the check engine lamp goes off after the self-test passes on three drive cycles in a row, and the stored code ages out after about 40 warm-ups. Clearing without a repair only hides it for a while — and resets the readiness monitors an emissions inspection looks at.
Is P0562 the same on every car?
Yes. P0562 is a generic SAE J2012 code, so its definition is identical on every make and model. What differs is the cause behind it and the repair procedure, which depend on the engine — that’s why the assistant on this page asks for your car.
Guides
Definitions: the generic SAE J2012 codes from Brimly’s offline dictionary (data version 2026.09). Causes and advice are general guidance for all makes — the service information for your car has the last word.