What does it mean?
A vehicle’s electrical system incorporates a charging system that is responsible for keeping the battery at full capacity as well as providing power for the vehicle’s electrical system while the engine is running. In a 12-volt system, a fully-charged battery should measure at 12.6 volts or higher and while the engine is running, the measurement should be in the range of 13.7 to 14.7 volts. The alternator is the component that recharges the battery and powers your vehicle’s electrical system.
If the alternator doesn’t put out an appropriate voltage, the battery reserve depletes and there is insufficient power to operate your car’s electrical functions. A DTC will set in the powertrain control module (PCM) and potentially other modules indicating the low voltage condition, and depending on the vehicle design, a low voltage warning message or battery light may illuminate.
Trouble code P0562 is a Type C DTC and is set in the PCM after just one instance of failure, though it won’t illuminate the malfunction indicator lamp (MIL) or Check Engine light. In most vehicles, the DTC is set when the voltage reading is less than 11 volts for at least 15 seconds, and in some cases, the DTC will set immediately if the voltage is significantly less than 10 volts.