Electrical system and control unitsGeneric OBD-II codeUrgency: Garage soon
Code P0560: abnormal electrical system voltage
P0560 means: system voltage: malfunction (the ECU detects a voltage outside the expected range).[1][2] The engine ECU monitors the voltage of the 12 V network and logs this code when it is too low or too high for a period of time. With the engine running, a charging voltage of about 13.7 to 14.7 V is expected; sources give slightly different ranges.[1][2]
What code P0560 means
The engine ECU monitors the voltage of the 12 V network and logs this code when it is too low or too high for a period of time. With the engine running, a charging voltage of about 13.7 to 14.7 V is expected; sources give slightly different ranges.[1][2]
It is a generic OBD-II code (P0): the meaning is the same on all brands. It does not point to a specific part, only that the charging or power supply system is not within normal limits.[1][2]
Original definition (SAE J2012): System Voltage Malfunction[1][2]
Causes of P0560
From most to least likely, according to the sources.
- 1Faulty or discharged battery, with sulphated, loose or poorly tightened terminals.[1][2]
- 2Alternator that does not charge properly or faulty voltage regulator (often built into the alternator).[1][2]
- 3Corroded, loose or high-resistance battery cables or earth connections.[1][2]
- 4Damaged wiring or short circuits, or poorly fitted aftermarket accessories (sound systems, alarms, auxiliary lights) causing a constant drain.[1]
- 5Faulty starter motor or a battery unsuited to the vehicle; the ECU is the least likely cause.[1][2]
Symptoms
- Engine warning light on; on some cars the battery or charging warning light too.[1]Engine warning light: faults that cause it
- Slow or difficult starting, or a car that will not start.[1][2]Hard to start: faults that cause it
- Stalling or rough running.[1][2]Engine stalls: faults that cause it
- Dashboard lights or headlights that dim or flicker, and electrical accessories behaving erratically.[1][2]Charging failure: faults that cause it
- Strange warnings on the dashboard or failures of systems such as the multimedia, central locking or alarm.[1]Electronic warnings: faults that cause it
- Slightly higher fuel consumption if the problem persists.[1]Uses more fuel: faults that cause it
How to diagnose P0560
In order: from the most likely and cheapest to check to the most expensive.
- 1Read all stored codes and the freeze-frame data: other voltage or communication codes help show whether the fault lies in the electrical network or in a module.[1][2]
- 2Check the battery: clean, tight terminals, resting voltage of about 12.6 V and a load test. It is the cheapest and most common cause.[1][2]
- 3Measure the charging voltage with the engine running, directly at the battery terminals, and compare it with the reading on the diagnostic tool. If it is outside roughly 13.7–14.7 V, suspect the alternator or regulator.[1][2]
- 4Check battery cables, earths and wiring: corrosion, chafed wires and aftermarket accessories that could cause a current leak.[1][2]
- 5Before disconnecting the battery, use a device that preserves the ECUs' memory: on some cars, disconnecting it without precautions can damage modules.[1]
Can I keep driving with P0560?
Garage soon
Sources do not entirely agree: one says you can drive short trips if there are no serious warnings, and another recommends diagnosing it as soon as possible. If the cause is the alternator or the battery, the car may fail to start or cut out while driving, and an overvoltage can damage the electronics.[1][2]
Documented faults related to P0560
Known faults of specific engines and cars, with their repair cost, the affected years and their sources.
12 V battery: the most serious faults by engine and car
- Medium severityFrequency: Common2.0 and 2.5 HybridThe 12 V battery goes flat if the car sits unused for several daysYes, it is a common complaint: the 12 V battery can go flat after just a few days without using the car, because of the standby drain from the electronics (multimedia, telematics, keyless entry). With the 12 V battery very low, the hybrid system can lock itself into a safe mode.
- Medium severityFrequency: OccasionalE-Tech Híbrido12 V battery going flat or needing early replacementSeveral Clio, Arkana and Austral owners with the E-Tech engine document premature replacement of the 12 V auxiliary battery, in one case twice in the first year. It is not the most widespread fault of the system, but it appears repeatedly across different models.
- Medium severityFrequency: Occasional1.5 Hybrid12 V battery going flat while parkedYes: on the hybrid Yaris and Yaris Cross, the 12 V battery can go flat within a few days while parked because of the residual draw of modules such as eCall or keyless entry. It is fixed with a software update or, if the battery is already damaged, by replacing it.
- Low severityFrequency: OccasionalHonda e:HEV / i-MMD12 V battery going flat and hybrid system failing to startIf the car stands unused for a long time, the 12 V auxiliary battery can go flat and the hybrid system does not activate ("Ready" does not appear) even though the traction battery is charged. It is fixed by charging or replacing the battery.Repair (garage): €120–€250
- High severityFrequency: CommonHyundai Ioniq 5Faulty ICCU: 12 V battery drain and loss of drive powerThe Integrated Charging Control Unit (ICCU) can fail on the Ioniq 5: it drains the 12 V battery, may refuse to charge and, in the most serious cases, cause the car to lose power or not go into drive mode. Hyundai has replaced this part and updated its software on units built between January and February 2023.
- High severityFrequency: OccasionalBMW Serie 6 E63/E64Battery drain and loose positive cableThe battery and alternator are frequently cited by Fiches-auto, and there is a recall for the battery's positive cable, which can work loose.
Alternator and starter motor: the most serious faults by engine and car
- High severityFrequency: Occasional2.2 JTDm Multijet IIAlternator cable touching the exhaust gas recirculation pipe (fire risk)An Alfa Romeo campaign covers diesel Stelvio built between 18 January 2017 and 18 September 2018: an alternator cable may rub against the exhaust gas recirculation pipe and cause a short circuit, with a fire risk in the worst case.
- Medium severityFrequency: Occasional1.7 CDTIPremature alternator wearThe Hitachi-brand alternator fitted at the factory to the 1.7 CDTI tends to wear out sooner than expected, according to a German buying guide on the Opel Astra H, with typical replacements at around 140,000 km; there are similar accounts on the Opel Meriva with this engine.
- Critical severityFrequency: OccasionalAlfa Romeo JuniorRisk of electric arcing at the 48 V starter-generator terminal on the hybrid JuniorYes: a March 2026 Safety Gate alert (campaign F60F) covers Junior MHEVs built between 27 November 2023 and 18 December 2025. The clearance between the particulate filter pipe and the 48 V starter-generator terminal cover is under 10 mm and, in damp conditions, there could be electric arcing and fire.
- Critical severityFrequency: OccasionalBMW Serie 3 G202025 campaign for corrosion of the starter motor relay (risk of fire)Yes: in September 2025 BMW recalled, among other models, the 2019 to 2021 330i (G20) because the starter motor relay can corrode, overheat and cause a short circuit with a risk of fire even when the car is parked.
Wiring, connectors and short circuits: the most serious faults by engine and car
- Critical severityFrequency: OccasionalBMW N62 / N63Additional turbo coolant pump with a risk of short circuit and fireIn 2011 BMW recalled 5, 6 and 7 Series, X5 and X6 models built between 2007 and 2011 because of the additional turbo coolant pump: moisture, a short circuit and, in extreme cases, a fire. In 2012 there was another campaign for a crack in the pump, with a more robust version.
- High severityFrequency: Occasional1.3 TCeBlown fuel pump fuseOn the Renault Captur II and Clio V with the 1.3 TCe engine, a 20-amp fuse can blow and leave the car without an engine. According to L'argus, in April 2021 this fault still had no factory fix; the official service centre's diagnosis includes checking, and sometimes replacing, the catalytic converter.
- High severityFrequency: OccasionalM264/M254Poorly tightened 48 V earth wiring in the mild-hybrid system (fire risk)Mercedes-Benz has issued several recalls (2022-2025) because the 12 V and 48 V earth connections of some cars with a 48 V system may be poorly tightened: resistance rises, the connection heats up and a fire cannot be ruled out. The official workshop checks them and repairs them if necessary in an hour or more.
- High severityFrequency: Occasional1.9 TDIUnit injector tappet wear and injector wiring damageOn the unit injector system, the tappets that operate the injectors can wear if the oil is not changed on time, and the injector wiring can be damaged by contact with oil, causing misfires or loss of power.
- Critical severityFrequency: CommonRover 75Seat SRS connector fault with airbag and seatbelt warning light onAuto Express warns that the Rover 75's seat SRS connector can cause the airbags to fail, and dealers were fixing it with revised connectors. The Dutch APK inspection puts the airbag or seatbelt fault warning among the most frequent defects across almost all series.
- Critical severityFrequency: OccasionalAlfa Romeo GiuliettaShort circuit from badly routed wiring that can prevent gear shifting (KBA campaign, 2010-2015)Yes: according to Germany's KBA, on Alfa Romeo Giulietta cars built between 2010 and 2015 inadequate cable routing could cause a short circuit and, as a result, gear-shift failure.
Frequently asked questions
What does code P0560 mean?
The ECU has detected that the electrical system voltage is outside the normal range, either too high or too low. It is usually down to the battery, the alternator or poor connections.[1][2]
Can I keep driving with P0560?
It depends on the cause. If only the warning light has come on and the car runs normally, you can get to a garage, but there is a risk of being left stranded if charging fails. If lights flicker, or there is stalling or poor starting, it is best not to put it off.[1][2]
Will replacing the battery fix P0560?
Sometimes, because the battery is the most common cause, but not always. It is worth measuring the charging voltage and checking terminals and earths first; a new battery with a faulty alternator will be ruined again.[1][2]
Can P0560 be an ECU fault?
It is possible but unlikely. Sources place it as the last suspect, after the battery, alternator and wiring.[1][2]
Will I pass the MOT with code P0560?
If the code has switched on the engine warning light, no: with that light on, the inspection records a serious defect, and on Euro 5 and Euro 6 cars the ITV (Spain's roadworthiness inspection, similar to the MOT) also reads the OBD diagnostic system. Repair the fault before you go; clearing the code just before the inspection does not help either, because it counts as a serious defect.[3]
Not sure what is wrong with your car? Describe what you notice in the symptom diagnosis or see all fault codes.
Sources
Every fact on this page links to its source. If you find an error, let us know.
- P0560 – System voltage malfunctionTroubleCodes.net · Technical documentation · consulted 29 October 2026
- P0560 Trouble Code: Meaning, Symptoms, Causes & FixesTrouble Scan · Technical documentation · consulted 29 October 2026
- Desmontando mitos: ¿puede pasar mi coche la ITV con el testigo de «avería motor» encendido?Diariomotor · Motoring press · published 8 March 2021 · consulted 2 October 2026 · in Spanish