P0CF6 code meaning
Control Pilot Circuit High
Powertrain system Generic code P0Cxx codes Check engine light
What P0CF6 means
A pilot level above the valid range usually means the line touches a supply voltage, or the measuring path in the module reads wrongly. GM evaluates it on the Chevrolet Volt (VICM/HPC2, 2012-2019) only while no cord is connected and the car is travelling at 8 km/h or faster, a moment when the pilot should be practically dead: a normalized pilot voltage (pilot voltage over battery voltage) above 0.55, or 0.58 in the 2012 table, in 30 of 50 samples at 100 ms sets the code. It is Type A, so the MIL comes on after one trip. The low-side counterpart is P0CF5, plausibility errors belong to P0CF4, an open line to P0CF3. With the pilot held high, the vehicle cannot pull the level down to request energy, and the station does not switch power on.
P0CF6 at a glance
- Check engine lightYes, usually on
- Emissions testNot an emissions code
- Limp modeNot expected
- Repair difficultyMedium
- Typical labor0.5 to 3 hours
- Clears after repairAfter a drive cycle
Symptoms of P0CF6
- Malfunction indicator lamp on after a drive (GM Type A)
- Charging does not begin at the station
- Charging fault message in the cluster
Common causes of P0CF6
- Most likelyPilot wire shorted to a 12 V feed in the harness or inlet
- PossiblePilot measuring circuit in the charging control module reading too high
- Less likelyMoisture in a connector coupling a neighbouring voltage onto the pilot
Check the most likely causes first. Replacing parts by guesswork is the most expensive way to clear a code.
Parts involved
Control pilot circuitWiring harnessOn board charger
What each part of P0CF6 means
| P | Powertrain system: engine, fuel system, ignition, emissions and transmission. |
| 0 | Generic code: it means the same on every make (SAE standard). |
| C | Area: hybrid propulsion. |
| F6 | The exact fault in that area. |
What to do next
- Note P0CF6 and any other codes stored with it: several codes together often point to one cause.
- Check for loose connectors and damaged wiring around the parts the code names.
- Check open recalls for your car: some faults are fixed for free by the dealer. Enter your VIN.
- Clear the code only after the repair. If it comes back, the fault is still there.
Buying a used car? Scan it for stored codes before you pay. A recently cleared memory can hide a problem.
Questions about P0CF6
What does P0CF6 mean?
P0CF6 means "Control Pilot Circuit High". A pilot level above the valid range usually means the line touches a supply voltage, or the measuring path in the module reads wrongly. It is a generic code, so it means the same on every make.
Is it safe to drive with P0CF6?
Usually yes, for a short time, if the check engine light is steady and the car drives normally. If the light flashes or the car runs badly, stop and have it checked.
Will P0CF6 fail an emissions test?
P0CF6 is not an emissions code, so on its own it usually does not fail an emissions test. Other stored codes or a lit check engine light still can.
How hard is P0CF6 to fix?
Difficulty: medium. A typical repair takes 0.5 to 3 hours of work. This is a job for a workshop.
Will P0CF6 clear itself after the repair?
After the repair the car has to complete a drive cycle (a mix of city and highway driving) before the test runs again. Until then the readiness monitor shows "not ready", which can fail an inspection.