Failing or weak battery that cannot hold a proper charge; Defective alternator or voltage regulator not maintaining correct charging voltage; Corroded, loose, or damaged battery terminals and cable connections; Damaged or chafed wiring in the charging circuit, including the sense wire from the alternator to the PCM; Blown fuse or faulty fusible link in the charging system; Poor ground connection between the engine, chassis, and battery; Internal fault in the PCM voltage sensing circuit (rare)

DTC codes / P05xx · Vehicle speed, idle control and auxiliary inputs / P0560

P0560System Voltage Malfunction

Q: What does code P0560 mean?

System Voltage Malfunction. P0560 indicates that the powertrain control module (PCM) has detected a system voltage that is outside its expected operating range, typically below 10 volts or above 16 volts, for a calibrated period. The PCM monitors the voltage supply to its own circuitry and to critical sensors and actuators, and sets this code when the reading deviates from normal battery/charging system voltage.

P0560 indicates that the powertrain control module (PCM) has detected a system voltage that is outside its expected operating range, typically below 10 volts or above 16 volts, for a calibrated period. The PCM monitors the voltage supply to its own circuitry and to critical sensors and actuators, and sets this code when the reading deviates from normal battery/charging system voltage.

SystemPowertrain

Code typeGeneric (all makes)

SeverityMedium

Fix difficultyIntermediate

AreaVehicle speed, idle control and auxiliary inputs

Symptoms you may notice

Illumination of the check engine light, often with no other noticeable symptoms
Dimming or flickering of interior and exterior lights
Engine cranks slowly or fails to start, especially in cold conditions
Erratic operation of electrical accessories such as radio, windows, or climate control
Transmission may shift harshly or enter limp mode due to low voltage affecting solenoids
Multiple unrelated trouble codes stored in various modules due to voltage instability

Common causes, most likely first

Failing or weak battery that cannot hold a proper charge
Defective alternator or voltage regulator not maintaining correct charging voltage
Corroded, loose, or damaged battery terminals and cable connections
Damaged or chafed wiring in the charging circuit, including the sense wire from the alternator to the PCM
Blown fuse or faulty fusible link in the charging system
Poor ground connection between the engine, chassis, and battery
Internal fault in the PCM voltage sensing circuit (rare)

How to diagnose and fix it

Perform a battery load test and state-of-charge check; replace battery if it fails
Inspect and clean battery terminals and cable ends; tighten to specification
Measure charging voltage at the battery with the engine running; should be 13.5–14.5 volts
Check alternator belt condition and tension; replace if worn or glazed
Test the alternator output and the voltage sense wire circuit for continuity and voltage drop
Inspect all ground straps and connections between engine, chassis, and battery for corrosion or looseness
If all external circuits test good, diagnose the PCM voltage supply and ground circuits before condemning the PCM

Voltage codes often mislead even seasoned techs

A weak battery can set P0560 without ever illuminating the battery light, because the PCM sees low voltage during cranking before the alternator catches up.
Corroded ground connections on the engine block or chassis are a frequent hidden cause that a simple voltage check at the battery may not reveal.
The code can be set by a momentary voltage spike during jump-starting or battery replacement if the PCM is not properly protected.
Technicians sometimes replace the alternator only to find the real fault is a damaged sense wire or a blown fuse in the charging circuit.
P0560 can appear alongside transmission codes because low voltage disrupts solenoid operation, leading to unnecessary transmission repairs.

Can I keep driving with P0560?

If the charging system is not maintaining proper voltage, the battery will eventually drain and the engine may stall or fail to restart. Limit driving to short distances and avoid using unnecessary electrical accessories until the fault is repaired.

Tools that help

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Guidance is general and written for all OBD-II vehicles. Exact tests and values vary by model, so confirm the fault before replacing parts.

Reading P0560

PPowertrain: engine, transmission and emissions.

0Generic (SAE) code: it means the same thing on every OBD-II vehicle.

5Vehicle speed, idle control and auxiliary inputs.

60The exact fault within that area.

Often seen with

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