TORKO

P0562 System voltage low

What P0562 means

The engine computer monitors the voltage of the car's electrical system. P0562 means it stayed below the expected level for a period, typically while the engine was running. The charging system is not keeping up, so the battery is draining and electrical faults may follow.

P0562 is a generic SAE J2012 code: it means the same on every make. The exact cause still depends on the car, so read the freeze-frame data before replacing parts.

At a glance

Severity
Medium
Typical repair cost
100–700 €
Workshop time
0.3–2.5 h
Repair difficulty
Easy
DIY possible
Yes
Check engine light
Yes
Affects emissions test
No

Parts and labour at an independent workshop in Europe. Main dealers charge more; the cause decides the bill, not the code.

Symptoms

Common causes

  1. Failing alternator or voltage regulator
  2. Weak or sulphated battery
  3. Loose or slipping auxiliary belt
  4. Corroded battery terminals or poor ground straps
  5. Damaged alternator charge cable or blown fuse link

Can I keep driving with P0562?

You can drive for now, but have the charging system tested within a week or two. If the battery warning light is on, the car may stop running once the battery is flat.

What to check first

  1. Measure battery voltage with the engine off (about 12.6 V) and running (about 13.8 to 14.8 V)
  2. Check the auxiliary belt tension and condition
  3. Clean and tighten the battery terminals, main ground and alternator cable
  4. Have the battery load-tested and the alternator output checked; replace whichever fails

Related codes

Data: TORKO fault-code catalogue, built on OBDex (CC0-1.0) and reviewed against workshop practice. Informational only — it does not replace a diagnosis by a mechanic.
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