Damaged or corroded wiring in the control pilot circuit, such as a short to voltage or an open ground.; A faulty charging port assembly where the pilot signal pin is bent, contaminated, or worn.; Failure of the pilot signal generator inside the onboard charger or the charge port controller.; Water intrusion into the charging port or connector causing abnormal voltage on the pilot line.; A malfunctioning charging station that sends an out-of-range pilot signal, though this is less common.; A software glitch in the charging control module that misinterprets the pilot voltage.

DTC codes / P0Cxx · Hybrid propulsion / P0CF6

P0CF6Control Pilot Circuit High

Q: What does code P0CF6 mean?

Control Pilot Circuit High. P0CF6 indicates that the powertrain control module has detected an abnormally high voltage on the control pilot circuit, which is the communication line used to negotiate charging between an electric vehicle and its charging station. The circuit is expected to operate within a specific voltage range, and a high reading tells the module that the signal is out of bounds, often due to a wiring fault or a failure in the pilot signal generator.

P0CF6 indicates that the powertrain control module has detected an abnormally high voltage on the control pilot circuit, which is the communication line used to negotiate charging between an electric vehicle and its charging station. The circuit is expected to operate within a specific voltage range, and a high reading tells the module that the signal is out of bounds, often due to a wiring fault or a failure in the pilot signal generator.

SystemPowertrain

Code typeGeneric (all makes)

SeverityMedium

Fix difficultyProfessional

AreaHybrid propulsion

Symptoms you may notice

The charging system warning light or service vehicle soon message illuminates on the dashboard.
The vehicle may refuse to start charging when plugged in, or charging may stop unexpectedly.
A charging station may display a communication error or fail to initiate a charge session.
In some cases, the vehicle may enter a reduced power mode or disable the charging port entirely.
Often no symptoms besides the warning light, especially if the fault is intermittent.

Common causes, most likely first

Damaged or corroded wiring in the control pilot circuit, such as a short to voltage or an open ground.
A faulty charging port assembly where the pilot signal pin is bent, contaminated, or worn.
Failure of the pilot signal generator inside the onboard charger or the charge port controller.
Water intrusion into the charging port or connector causing abnormal voltage on the pilot line.
A malfunctioning charging station that sends an out-of-range pilot signal, though this is less common.
A software glitch in the charging control module that misinterprets the pilot voltage.

How to diagnose and fix it

Inspect the charging port and connector for physical damage, corrosion, or debris, and clean if necessary.
Check the control pilot circuit wiring for continuity, shorts to voltage, and proper ground connections using a multimeter.
Test the pilot signal voltage at the charging port with a breakout box or backprobing, comparing to manufacturer specifications.
Inspect the charging station or cable for faults by trying a different known-good charging station.
If wiring and connections are good, test the onboard charger or charge port controller for proper pilot signal output.
Reprogram or update the charging control module software if a known issue exists.
Replace the faulty charging port assembly or onboard charger as diagnosed, following manufacturer procedures.

Charging Pilot Circuit Faults You Might Overlook

A common mistake is replacing the onboard charger when the real problem is a damaged pilot pin in the charging port, which is often caused by rough handling of the connector.
The control pilot circuit is a low-voltage signal line, so a high voltage reading can be set by a simple short to a 12-volt source in the harness, not necessarily by a failed high-voltage component.
Intermittent P0CF6 codes often appear only in damp weather, pointing to water ingress in the charge port connector that dries out and temporarily clears the fault.
Some vehicles set this code when a non-compliant or faulty public charging station sends an incorrect pilot signal, and the code may not return after charging at a different station.
The code does not always mean the charging system is disabled; some vehicles allow charging at reduced rate or only set the code after multiple failed attempts.

Can I keep driving with P0CF6?

You can generally drive the vehicle normally because the fault affects charging rather than propulsion, but avoid using the charging system until the fault is repaired to prevent further damage. If the vehicle also shows a reduced power warning, limit driving and seek service promptly.

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.